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The Colonies And Naval Defence

Volume 175: debated on Wednesday 12 June 1907

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I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the naval contributions of Cape Colony and Natal, amounting to £85,000 a year, are to be spent on the purposes of purely local defence in South Africa; and whether the Colonies in question propose to make any contribution towards the general expenses of the British Navy, which guarantees them against foreign invasion.

I am afraid I cannot give my hon. friend any information beyond that which he will find in the Report of the Conference (Cd. 3523), page 479–480. The Admiralty are awaiting the formal communication from the Colonial Governments which may be expected as the result of the discussion.