HC Deb 02 April 1930 vol 237 cc1284-6W
Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much money has been contributed by each of the Dominions and Crown Colonies towards naval defence during the year 1929; what proportion of the money contributed by each of the Dominions and Crown Colonies during this period in each case to their total import and export trade and per capita of their population, respectively; and how these figures compare with Great Britain's contributions under these heads?

Mr. ALEXANDER

The contribution of the Dominions to naval defence takes the form of maintenance of their own naval forces and establishments by His Majesty's Governments in Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand (who also contribute in another way as indicated below) and the Union of South Africa. The amounts provided in the Estimates of the undermentioned parts of the Empire for the year 1929–30 are as follow: Great Britain: £55,865,000.

Canada: $3,600,000.

Commonwealth of Australia £2,343,000.

New Zealand: £730,017 (including £125,000 as a contribution towards the Naval Base at Singapore, and £100,000 interest and sinking fund on account of His Majesty's Ship "New Zealand"—approximately). Union of South Africa: £82,517.

The proportion of expenditure on naval defence to the total import and export trade of these parts of the Empire is as follows:

Great Britain: 2.71 per cent.

Canada: 13 per cent.

Commonwealth of Australia: 81 per cent.

New Zealand: 69 per cent.

Union of South Africa: 045 per cent.

Expenditure per caput of population:

Great Britain: £1 4s. 5d.

Canada: $0.37.

Commonwealth of Australia: 7s. 4d.

New Zealand: 9s. 11d.

Union of South Africa (European population only): 11½d.

Noms.—(a) The figures for import and export trade on which the calculations are based are preliminary totals only and are subject to revision.

(b) Where figures of population or trade for 1929 are not available, the figure for 1928 has been used.

As regards Colonies not possessing responsible governments, the position remains as described in previous replies to the hon. Member, that is to say, that con- tributions made to Imperial Defence by certain Colonies are paid not to the Admiralty but to the War Office.