HC Deb 16 February 1931 vol 248 cc857-8
18. Mr. OSWALD LEWIS

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that some of the countries who are members of the League of Nations are eight years or more in arrears with their contributions, he will put forward on behalf of the British Government the proposal that only the representatives of those countries who pay their due share of the expenses shall be entitled to take part in the proceedings of the League?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

I fear that the suggestion of the hon. Member is scarcely practicable. The Secretary-General, with the full authority of the Assembly, is constantly pressing those States which have failed to pay the contributions due from them, and I am glad to say that payments in respect of arrears were made by five of the States concerned during the past financial year.

Mr. LEWIS

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman's view is that any country is to have the full benefit of membership of the League regardless as to whether it pays its contribution or not?

Mr. HENDERSON

The point is that we are doing all we can to induce these members to continue their contribution. It would be a mistake to disqualify them from membership too hastily.

Captain PETER MACDONALD

Will the States in arrears be excluded from competing for League contracts?

Mr. HENDERSON

That is an entirely new question, of which I must have notice.

19. Commander SOUTHBY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the amounts of the contributions to the expenses of the League not paid by the countries from which they are due have to be paid, in addition to their individual proper shares, by those other members of the League who pay their contributions regularly; and, if so, how much money has been paid by Great Britain by reason of the default of other nations, over and above Great Britain's proper individual share, since the foundation of the League of Nations?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

It has been the practice of the League in some years to reduce the contributions of States members of the League by the deduction in proportionate shares of the surplus from a previous year. To this extent the contributions of the States who have paid their allotted shares have possibly not been reduced to the extent they might have been if all contributions had been promptly paid. But I would point out that, whether surpluses are used to reduce contributions, or to increase reserves, or to finance objects of common interest to all members of the League, is a question which only the Assembly itself can decide. It is, therefore, not possible to give any precise figure in reply to the second part of the hon. and gallant Member's question. I may add that the Governments who are in arrear have not been relieved of their liability, and that the League is making every effort to obtain payment.

Commander SOUTHBY

Are we to understand that the taxpayer of this country is to be called upon to bear a greater share of the expenses of the League by reason of the default of other countries which are signatories to the League?

Mr. HENDERSON

To a certain extent that is so. That is pointed out in the reply.

Commander SOUTHBY

What is the right hon. Gentleman doing about it?

Mr. HENDERSON

The practices that I have referred to in my reply were going on during the whole time of the previous Government.

Commander SOUTHBY

Is that any reason why they should not be stopped?