HC Deb 15 December 1943 vol 395 cc1518-9
4. Major Petherick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much, in pounds sterling, of the income of the League of Nations in 1942 was derived from contributions of countries of the British Empire and how much from the rest of the world?

Mr. Eden

Of the League of Nations income in 1942, £292,424 sterling was derived from contributions by countries of the British Commonwealth and Empire and £107,568 form contributions by other member states. This latter figure excludes payments amounting to £53,706 made by members of the international Labour Office who are not members of the League of Nations.

Mr. Lipson

Are not those figure very creditable to the countries of the British Empire?

5. Major Petherick

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state which States, other than the countries of the British Empire, contributed in the year 1942 to the support of the League of Nations; and the amounts contributed by each such State?

Mr. Eden

Yes, Sir. The following countries outside the British Commonwealth and Empire paid contributions to the League of Nations in 1942:

Norway. Chile.
Belgium. Egypt.
Poland. France.
Czechoslovakia. Netherlands
In addition the following countries made payments to the League of Nations for specific purposes:
  • Argentina.
  • Brazil.
  • Sweden.
As the amounts which each of these States contributed contain a number of figures I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Miss Rathbone

Are not these repeated questions about this "tuppenny-ha'penny" sum that we contribute to the League of Nations really rather unworthy?

Following are the amounts:

The following States made token payments in 1942. Sterling
£
Norway 2,358
Belgium 1,179
Poland 1,179
Czechoslovakia 1,179
The following States made payments in respect of arrears in 1942.
Chile 5,073
Egypt 9,568
France 47,165
Netherlands 7,075
Czechoslovakia 1,179

The following States made payments for specific purposes.