§ Mr. MARDY JONESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of the contribution paid by the Government of the Straits Settlements towards the cost of the Singapore base in 1927; what amount has been estimated for the contribution from that Government for the current year; whether contributions towards the cost of the base have been received from any other British Colonial Administrations or from the self-governing Dominions; and, if so, what were the amounts so contributed?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe annual contribution of the Straits Settlements to the cost of defence is governed by the provisions of a local ordinance, but the amount to be paid for 1927 and subsequent years is still under discussion. The sums provided in the Colonial Estimates were:-1927, £426,000 (approximately); 1928, £560,000. At an earlier date the Straits Settlements made a gift of the land required for the naval and air bases. Hong Kong gave £250,000 and the Federated Malay States are giving £2,000,000 in five annual instalments. His Majesty's Government in New Zealand have made legislative provision for a contribution of 21,000,000 towards the cost of the base to be paid in instalments. The first instalment of £125,000 was paid in March, 1928.