§ 18. Lord APSLEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount of the contribution towards the expenses of the League of Nations borne by the British Exchequer, including rents, salaries, and running expenses of the British delegation and officials, and how it compares with the amount in the previous year?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe contribution by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom towards the expenses of the Secretariat of the League of Nations amounted to £71,197 in 1929 and £79,164 in 1930. The travelling and incidental expenses, accommodation, and subsistence allowances of British delegates and officials attending meetings convened by 734 the League do not form part of the above mentioned contribution towards the expenses of the League. They amounted to £9,937 in 1929 and £12,213 in 1930. The salaries of British officials attending the meetings are borne on the Votes of the Departments to which they belong, and are not included in the above figures.
§ Lord APSLEYCan my right hon. Friend say whether, in view of the high and apparently increasing cost of living at Geneva, he can support any suggestion to move the League to Prague or Vienna?
Sir F. HALLIs not the increased cost owing to a good many of the States not bearing their fair proportion of the expenses?
§ Sir J. SIMONThat is not, I think, the case.
§ Mr. HANNONAre we not the largest contributor to the finances of the League of Nations, and, in fact, have we not been making up the deficit of other nations in the amount we have paid?
§ Sir J. SIMONI do not think we have been making up the deficits of others, and, after all, though those sums are considerable, if the League results in stopping war the expense is justifiable.
Sir F. HALLDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the other States should bear their proportion?