HC Deb 18 June 1934 vol 291 cc1-2
1. Mr. BARCLAY-HARVEY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many contracts for the new League of Nations buildings at Geneva have been awarded to countries which are up to date in their subscriptions to the League, and how many to countries which are in arrears with their subscriptions; and what is the total value of the contracts in each case?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)

As regards the first part of the question, I must refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister to my hon. Friend the Member for Aston (Captain A. Hope) on 30th May. The only firms among those who have obtained contracts which belong to countries in arrears with their subscriptions are the German and Hungarian. I am obtaining from Geneva the information asked for in the second part of the question, and will communicate it to my hon. Friend in due course.

Mr. HANNON

Is it the case that in the League of Nations, when contracts of this kind are being considered, discrimination is exercised in favour of countries that pay their contributions?

Sir J. SIMON

The matter is in the hands of a committee, and I cannot answer the question without notice.