HC Deb 07 March 1923 vol 161 cc543-4W
Colonel GRETTON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any debts have been incurred, or any future liabilities undertaken, by the League of Nations or by the International Labour Bureau?

Mr. McNEILL:

As far as I am aware, the only debts and liabilities in question are as follows:

1. The balance of the purchase price of the building occupied by the Secretariat at Geneva, namely, 5million Swiss francs, payable in eleven biannual instalments from 1st November, 1920.

2. The cost of construction of the new building for the International Labour Office, estimated not to exceed 3 million francs, to be paid for in five annual instalments from 1926.

Further particulars will be found on page 35 of the Budget for 1923, and of the Report of the Fourth Committee of the Third Assembly, copies of which are in the Library of the House. The Secretary-General of the League has also been authorized to raise a temporary loan not exceeding 3¾ million francs to cover working expenses in the early part of this year in anticipation of the receipt of members' subscriptions. This loan at present amounts to only 200,000 francs, and is not likely to exceed 500,000 francs this year. It is expected that the whole Bank loan will be repaid by July.

Colonel GRETTON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount of the financial contribution of each nation which subscribes to the League of Nations?

Mr. McNEILL:

My hon. Friend wilt find the figures set out in document No. 4 in a collection issued by the League and entitled "Documents on questions of finance" of which a copy is in the Library of the House.