§ 47. Sir J. Fletcher-Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what estimate has been made of the cost of establishing the Commonwealth Secretariat; how this cost will be allocated between members of the Commonwealth; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BottomleyNo precise figures can be given at this stage. One of the first tasks of the Secretary-General when he takes up post will be to prepare a budget for the Secretariat. The actual cost of establishing the Secretariat, providing initial equipment and so on, may be of the order of £25,000; the annual cost when the Secretariat is in full operation may be of the order of £150,000. The cost will be shared between Commonwealth Governments on a scale which is set out at Annex B to the Agreed Memorandum on the Commonwealth Secretariat: the British Government's share will be 30 per cent.
Parliamentary authority will be sought for the British contribution by Supplementary Estimate in due course. In the meantime any necessary advance will be obtained from the Civil Contingencies Fund.