§ 23. Mr. CULVERWELLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the basis on which the contributions of the members of the League of Nations to its expenses have been fixed?
Mr. A. HENDERSONBroadly speaking, the basis on which the contributions of States members of the League of Nations are determined is the national expenditure of such States. The actual assessments are fixed periodically by a committee appointed for the purpose. This committee will meet again next year.
§ Mr. CULVERWELLIn view of the fact that the British Empire contributes more than one-fourth of the expense of the League of Nations, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this basis should be revised more in our favour?
Mr. HENDERSONAfter all, we have to remember that the British Empire represents one-fourth of the people of the whole world.
§ Colonel GRETTONCould the right hon. Gentleman furnish a statement of the contributions assessed and the contributions actually paid by the various members of the League?
§ Colonel GRETTONI will give notice.
§ 29. Mr. OSWALD LEWISasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any of the 10 countries which have not yet paid their share of the expenses of the League of Nations for 1929 Have also omitted to pay their share in previous years; and, if so, will he give particulars shownig the period and amount of the arrears in each case?
Mr. HENDERSONAs the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSWhat is the longest period for which any nation has been in default in its payment?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs it not given in the table?
§ Following is the reply:
§ According to the latest available return, dated the 7th of January, 1931, the following contributions to the expenses of the League in respect of the years 1920–1928, inclusive, were then unpaid:
| Gold Francs. | £ | ||
| 1920: | |||
| Peru | … | 26,952.72 | (1,080) |
| 1921: | |||
| Peru | … | 187,499.70 | (7,500) |
| 1922: | |||
| China | … | 182,119.00 | (7,285) |
| Peru | … | 182,040.30 | (7,280) |
| Honduras | … | 55,326.58 | (2,210) |
| Nicaragua | … | 53,495.11 | (2,140) |
| Paraguay | … | 15,370.80 | (615) |
| Salvador | … | 18,257.87 | (735) |
| Gold Francs. | £ | ||
| 1923: | |||
| Bolivia | … | 90,000.00 | (3,600) |
| China | … | 1,767,773.28 | (70,710) |
| Honduras | … | 27,196.51 | (1,090) |
| Nicaragua | … | 27,196.51 | (1,090) |
| Peru | … | 244,768.61 | (9,790) |
| 1924: | |||
| Bolivia | … | 104,281.01 | (4,170) |
| China | … | 1,506,324.51 | (60,250) |
| Honduras | … | 23,174.23 | (930) |
| Nicaragua | … | 23,174.23 | (930) |
| Peru | … | 208,568.02 | (8,340) |
| 1925: | |||
| Bolivia | … | 109,049.86 | (4,360) |
| China | … | 1,211,665.15 | (48,470) |
| Honduras | … | 24,233.30 | (970) |
| Nicaragua | … | 24,233.30 | (970) |
| Peru | … | 218,099.73 | (8,720) |
| 1926: | |||
| Bolivia | … | 88,100.63 | (3,520) |
| China | … | 11,022,094.81 | (40,880) |
| Honduras | … | 24,472.39 | (980) |
| Nicaragua | … | 24,472.39 | (980) |
| Peru | … | 198,226.39 | (7,930) |
| 1927: | |||
| Bolivia | … | 86,940.32 | (3,480) |
| China | … | 929,513.11 | (37,180) |
| Honduras | … | 24,150.09 | (965) |
| Nicaragua | … | 24,150.09 | (965) |
| Paraguay | … | 17,593.24 | (705) |
| Peru | … | 195,615.73 | (7,825) |
| 1928: | |||
| Bolivia | … | 89,320.01 | (3,570) |
| China | … | 1,141,311.24 | (45,650) |
| Honduras | … | 12,405.62 | (500) |
| Nicaragua | … | 24,811.11 | (990) |