§ Mr. EVERARDasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the amount already promised or paid by the Dominions and Crown Colonies towards 55W the construction of the naval base at Singapore; and whether this will reduce the cost to be borne by the British Government during the current financial year?
§ Mr. AMERYSo far as the Dominions are concerned, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given as regards Australia to the hon. Member for Mile End (Mr. J. Scurr) on the 22nd February. Similar considerations apply in the case of New Zealand. As regards the rest of the Empire, the Straits Settlements Government has acquired the land for the naval and air base at a cost of £146,000, and has handed it over as a free gift to His Majesty's Government. Hong Kong has contributed £250,000 representing the profits made out of the local scheme of shipping control during the War, and as I stated in this House in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Rear-Admiral Beamish) on the 28th June, the Federated Malay States have recently voted a contribution of £2,000,000 payable in five annual instalments of £400,000 each. As regards the latter part of the question the cost to British Government funds during the current financial year will he reduced by £130,000, the balance of the contribution of £250,000 by the Hong Kong Government.