§ 78. Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many nations are now in arrears with their subscriptions to the League of Nations; what attempts are made to secure the sums of money outstanding; and, as the financial outlook for the League is serious unless the arrears are paid up, whether the Powers which do pay are to be called upon for increased contributions?
§ Mr. EDENAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply returned yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison). As regards the second part, the Assembly has addressed an urgent appeal to all States to fulfil their financial obligations to the League, and the Secretary-General has been requested to make every effort to induce States to pay their contributions. There is no proposal to increase the contributions already fixed for the current year in order to make good the arrears, but it is no doubt true that so 823 long as the arrears remain outstanding the contributions levied in respect of future years will be larger than they need have been.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill steps be taken to see that full payment of the arrears, as well as the current year's subscription, is demanded from these countries before they are readmitted to the privileges of the League?
§ Mr. McGOVERNIn view of the imminent bankruptcy of the League of Nations in finance, and certainly in effect, will the Government consider the withdrawal of Britain from the League and the closing down of this humbug institution altogether?
Viscountess ASTORDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that it is odd that the Diehards and the Communists meet on the question of the League of Nations?