HC Deb 03 March 1932 vol 262 cc1277-9
84. Sir F. HALL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether be is aware that certain countries are in default in regard to their subscriptions to the League of Nations; how such defaults are made good; and whether Great Britain has been called upon to participate in any shortage and, if so, to what extent since the inception of the League?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Eden)

I am aware that there are certain States Members of the League who are in arrear with their contributions. The effect of this delay on the contributions of other States was explained by the Secretary of State in the late Government in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Epsom (Commander Southby) in February, 1931. The position would appear to be that the League in some years reduces the contributions by the deduction of a proportionate share of the surplus from a previous year. To this extent the contributions of those States who pay their shares punctually have not been reduced to the extent which would have been possible if all contributions had been promptly paid. It is not possible to give actual figures. I understand that there is now a tendency for the arrears to increase in amount. The situation will be carefully watched, and can, of course, be reviewed by the Assembly when it has under consideration the Budget for 1933 and the amount of the contributions for that year.

Sir F. HALL

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to give me an answer to the last part of my question, as to the extent to which Great Britain has been called upon to participate in any shortage since the inception of the League?

Mr. EDEN

If my hon. and gallant Friend will read my answer, I am afraid that he will see that that is incalculable, because what we may be said to have lost is a share of the surplus of which the League has been deprived. That surplus bas not been calculated.

Sir F. HALL

Are the rights and privileges applicable to those countries which make their due payments applicable to countries which do not make their payments?

Mr. EDEN

Yes, that is so.

Mr. HANNON

How long is this state of affairs to continue? Are nations to have the right of voting at the Assembly of the League while their obligatory contributions are still unpaid?

Mr. EDEN

I quite appreciate that the present situation is extremely unsatisfactory, but, as my hon. Friend will realise, the matter does not come up for review until the Assembly meets this autumn. Meanwhile, the situation will be watched carefully.

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Is there any time limit for payment?

Mr. MANDER

Is it not a fact that this country has been saved a substantial sum of money through the operations of the League of Nations?

Mr. EDEN

That may be so, but we think that all countries should bear their proper share.

Captain MACDONALD

Can the Under-Secretary say why the British contribution has been increased by £25,000 this year?

Mr. EDEN

That is, I think, in connection with the Disarmament Conference.