§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked 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 1930; what proportion the money contributed by the Dominions and Crown Colonies during this period bore 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. AMMONThe amounts provided in the Estimates of the undermentioned parts of the Empire for the year 1930–31 in respect of naval defence are as follow:
Great Britain £51,739,000 Canada $3,600,000 Commonwealth of Australia £1,778,633 New Zealand (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.) £675,480 Union of South Africa £78,560 The proportion of expenditure on naval defence to the total import and export trade of these parts of the Empire is as follows:
Per cent. Great Britain … 3.04 Canada … .15 Commonwealth of Australia … 1.06 New Zealand … .77 Union of South Africa … .043 Exenditure, per caput, of population:
Great Britain £1 2s. 6½d. Canada $0.36 Commonwealth of Australia 5s. 6d. New Zealand 9s. 0½d. Union of South Africa 10.7d. NOTES.—(a) In the case of Canada and the Union of South Africa the figures for import and export trade for the year 1929–30 have been used for the purpose of calculation as later figures are not yet available.
(b) In each case the figures of population are estimated.
52WAs regards Colonies not possessing responsible Government, the position remains as described in previous replies to the hon. Member, that is to say, contributions made to Imperial defence by certain Colonies are paid, not to the Admiralty, but to the War Office.