§ 30. Mr. T. SMITHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much is contributed annually to the British Exchequer by Bermuda, Cyprus, Ceylon, Mauritius, the Straits Settlements, Hong Kong and India in respect of payment for the establishment and upkeep of British forces in these Colonies; and what is he percentage of the total revenue of the respective Governments required to pay these contributions?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ On the basis of the anticipated 1934 contributions and the estimated revenue as shown in the Dependencies' Estimates for 1934, the figures in the first six cases are as follow:
| Dependency | contribution | Percentage of contribution to revenue |
| £ | ||
| Bermuda | 3,500 | 1.0 |
| Cyprus | 10,000 | 1.4 |
| Ceylon | 80,000 | 1.2 |
| Mauritius | 37,000 | 2.1 |
| Straits Settlements. | 467,000 | 14.0 |
| Hong Kong | 363,000 | 15.7 |
§ The revenue figure used for the purpose of these calculations is the total revenue of the territory, and includes not only receipts froth taxation but also receipts from productive services, including, in some cases, railways. It should further be pointed out that the revenue figures relate to the colonial financial years, while the figures for contributions relate to the Imperial financial year. The two periods do not necessarily correspond. The voluntary contribution of £58,350 towards the defence of the Empire recently made by the Straits Settlements, has not been included in the above figures.
§ The position of India is different from that of the Dependencies shown in the above statement, in that the cost of the British Army and Air Force in India is 521 not borne on Imperial Votes but is paid direct from Indian revenues, subject to a contribution of £1,500,000 a year from Imperial funds. The Government of India pays, in addition, contributions to the Imperial Exchequer in respect of training costs, maintenance of His Majesty's Ships in Indian waters, etc.