§ 59. Mr. Walkdenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give particulars of contributions made or promised by Dominion or Colonial Governments towards the cost of the British Government's rearmament programme; and whether he intends to make approaches to such of those governments as have not at present undertaken to contribute?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Chamberlain)Apart from cash contributions made annually by certain colonies under fixed agreements towards the cost of their military garrisons, as set out on page 55 of Army Estimates for 1936, voluntary contributions amounting to 1153,000 are being made by colonies in 1936–37. This sum includes the recently announced gift of £75,000 by the Government of Nigeria, which His Majesty's Government gratefully acknowledge. These contributions are not specifically identified with the cost of the rearmament programme, but are made towards the cost of Imperial Defence generally. In reply to the second part of the question, no approach to the Colonial Governments who do not at present contribute is under consideration. As regards the Dominions, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 18th February.
§ Miss WilkinsonIf the £75,000 from Nigeria was paid mainly by native subjects of His Majesty, was their consent asked?
§ Mr. ChamberlainPerhaps the hon. Member will put that question to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.