International > Report of the Governing body of the International Institute of Intellectual Co-operation > 1931

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Deputy-Auditor of the League of Nations, 1 consider the 1931 budget, which had been drawn
up by the Committee of Directors in virtue of special powers conferred upon that body ; and
draw up the budget for 1932.
The closed accounts for 1930—that is, for the financial period preceding the reorganisa¬
tion—showed a deficit of 133,000 francs, in spite of the savings made on expenditure, as certain
sums entered on the “ Income ” side of the estimates were not received in time. It should,
moreover, be observed that the sums necessary for the constitution of the Reserve Fund upon
which the Governing Body had decided in 1929 were drawn from the ordinary income of the
period in question. This fund amounted to 221,000 francs. The budgetary deficit mentioned
above was covered in part by the surplus of 86,000 francs left over from the year 1929, and in
part by the Reserve Fund, which was thus reduced to 165,000 francs. Thanks to the receipt
of a subsidy which had fallen in arrears, it has since been possible to make up the Reserve
Fund to its original figure of 221,000 francs, and still leave part of that subsidy available
for 1931.
The Governing Body approved the closed accounts for the 1930 financial year.
For the year 1931, the Directors’ Committee, taking as a basis the scheme of the Committee
of Enquiry, drew up the following budget :
Francs
A. Receipts 3,405,000
B. Expenditure:
I. Staff 1,782,000
II. Upkeep 145,000
III. Travelling expenses, meetings of experts, special
work, publications, etc 1,230,000
IV. Unforeseen expenditure 248,000
Total 3,405,000
This budget covers the special budget of the International Museums Office ; in this
connection, a total expenditure of over 300,000 francs has been allowed for.
During the past year, the Institute’s financial position led the Directors’ Committee,
as a measure of prudence, in view of the possibility that certain subsidies included in the
estimated receipts might not be paid in on the expected dates, to provide for economies in
administrative expenditure. The cuts in expenditure thus made by the Directors’ Committee
amounted to 360,000 francs. This dispels all uneasiness as to the Institute’s financial position
and even makes it possible to expect certain supplementary reserves.
The Governing Body also prepared a draft budget for 1932. This is to be found in the
attached report by the Director of the Institute, and estimates receipts and expenditure at
3,365,000 francs.
As regards the administration of the 1931 budget and the framing of the 1932 budget,
the Directors’ Committee and the Governing Body have acted with great caution, as experience
of the budgets of the other international organisations shows that it is not possible in present
circumstances to obtain punctually the full amount of the Government subsidies on which
the Institute feels entitled to count. It should, nevertheless, be noted, as a most favourable
omen, that, in 1931, half the contributions anticipated were paid in before the end of the first
half-year.
In view of the importance of maintaining the balance of the Institute’s budget, which
is, by itself, but barely sufficient for the carrying out of the programme, the Governing Body
adopted a resolution in the following terms :
“ The Governing Body of the International Institute of Intellectual Co-operation
expresses its sincere thanks to those countries which have made grants to the Institute.
“ It is particularly grateful to those which have made annual grants, such support
being the more valuable the more regular it is. The Governing Body appeals to the goodwill
of all to maintain and initiate financial support in as definite a form as possible.”
As anticipated in the French Government’s letter of December 8th, 1924, which was the
origin of the Institute’s Organic Statute, a certain number of international associations of an
intellectual character are accommodated at the Institute. Further requests for accommodation
having been submitted, the questions of principle involved in such arrangements were studied
with special reference to the extra-territoriality of the Institute premises. M. Nisot, for the
Legal Section of the League Secretariat, and M. Weiss, Legal Adviser to the Institute, drew
up a memorandum 2 on the subject, which is annexed to the present report and which the
Governing Body approved in the following resolution :
“ The Governing Body :
“ In accordance with the resolution passed by the Directors’ Committee ;
“ Approves the conclusion of the report of M. Nisot and M. Weiss on the legal situation
arising out of the granting of premises by the International Institute of Intellectual
Co-operation, in accordance with point 3 of the French Government’s letter of De¬
cember 8th, 1924 ;
1 See Appendix 3.
2 See^Appendix 4.