§ 17. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken by the League of Nations to secure payment from China of the outstanding arrears of their contributions as a member of the League; what is the total sum now owing; and whether members of the League who fail to pay their contributions are given the same privileges as other members who have had to bear an additional burden by reason of the loss of income caused by the defaulter?
§ Sir J. SIMONAs regards the first part of the question, the Assembly of the League decided that the unpaid balance of China's contributions for the years 1922–30 should be payable by equal annual instalments over a period of 20 years. No steps have been taken to secure these payments. The most recent figures in my possession show that the arrears amount to 9,947,229.40 gold francs. This is approximately £400,000 at gold parity. The reply to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the right hon. Gentleman say what approximately is the additional burden which the default of China has thrown upon this country?
§ Sir J. SIMONI cannot give a figure, but perhaps it is as well to bear in mind that it is not a case of increasing the contributions, except in this sense, that, if those other countries pay as they should pay, to that extent the estimates for next year will not include any arrears.