Mr. J. S. ROY (Gaspe):

Mr. Speaker, in

view of the close proximity of the coast where enemy submarines are now operating, and by reason of particulars I possess and desire to share with the house, but which it would not be wise to disclose publicly, I would ask the government as the representative of the constituency in the vicinity of which these enemy submarine activities are taking place that an immediate secret session of the house be held to consider these most important war developments which are taking place as far as 300 miles within our Atlantic border. These events are of such gravity that it seems to me that the people's representatives should be made aware of all details concerning the attacks and be given an opportunity to take part in deliberations on the means to protect our threatened country.

Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, my hon.

friend could hardly expect the government to regard what he has just stated as a question, but I shall be pleased to read what he has said in Hansard, and I can assure him that it will be carefully considered.

Mr. M. J. COLD WELL (Rosetown-Biggar):

I think the hon. gentleman is

asking for a secret session of the house at which he can divulge some information which he has in his possession. It seems to me that in view of the circumstances it might be wise for the government to grant his request.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

The matter

will have to be considered in the light of what a secret session would involve. My attention has just been drawn to the fact that the hon. member for Gaspe (Mr. Roy) mentioned that he had some information that he wished to impart in a secret session. Might I suggest to him that he give the information immediately to the Minister of National Defence for Naval Services (Mr. Macdonald). That will assist the government in reaching a conclusion as to what further steps should be taken.

Mr. ROY:

I shall forward my information

to the minister, but I would still appreciate the holding of a secret session, as there are many things which should be discussed by the house.

fcMr. Chairman.]

1941-42 VICTORY LOAN

On the orders of the day:

Hon. W. E. ROWE (Dufferin-Simcoe):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a correction in the report of my speech last night. I am not suggesting that it is the fault of our efficient Hansard reporters, but at page 2442 of Hansard I am reported as having said that, according to a press report, in the last victory loan "one out of 6-5" of Canada's population purchased bonds whereas in the first victory loan in June, 1941, "one out of every 12-02" bought bonds. What I intended to say was that in the last victory loan 6-5 per cent of our population purchased bonds whereas in the previous sale of victory bonds 12-02 per cent of our population bought bonds.

Mr. HOWE:

Mr. Chairman, with regard to the discussion initiated last evening by the hon. member for Lake Centre as to the director-general of aircraft production, it would appear that the aircraft industry has been in convention in Ottawa yesterday and to-day. and they have sent me a document which I should like to read to the house and place on Hansard. It is dated May 15, 1942, and reads:

Representatives of every phase of the aircraft industry in Canada, assembled in convention at Ottawa, do hereby unanimously resolve that:

1. They are familiar with the facts connected with the organization of the morale-building campaign, which has resulted in the setting up of a series of advisory committees from coast to coast, consisting of citizens of the highest standing in their communities, and are satisfied that there have been no improper actions taken, and that Mr. E. G. Hirst has received no direct or indirect benefit from his activities in connection with this matter.

2. They consider this activity to be a well-planned effort to build up and maintain the morale of all workers in the aircraft industry and that its continuance is a vital necessity, in the national interest.

3. That whereas in the past, this activity has had to be carried on in a somewhat informal manner, funds should be provided to enable it to continue on a formal basis.

4. They wish to bring to the minister's attention that Ralph P. Bell, as Director-General of Aircraft Production of the Department of

Munitions and Supply, and his organization, have brought the aircraft industry in Canada from a low condition to its present high standard.

5. That Mr. Bell has given unsparingly of his time and energy to this important phase of the war effort and that he has set a standard of patriotic devotion and duty which is an inspiration to all who have contact with him. Canadian Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Co. Ltd., James Young, President.

Noorduyn Aviation Ltd.,

R. B. C. Noorduyn, Vice-Pres. and General Manager.

Canadian Wright Ltd.,

D. M. Martin, Manager and Director.

Clark Ruse Aircraft Ltd.,

J. C. Ruse, President.

Reliance Aircraft Co. Ltd.,

J. J. Morch, President.

Fairchild Aircraft Ltd.,

H. M. Pasmore, President.

National Steel Car Corpn.,

R. J. Magor, President.

Canadian Pacific Air Lines Ltd.,

T. W. Siers, Overhaul Superintendent. Canadian Car & Foundry Co. Ltd.,

Y. M. Drury, President.

British Aeroplane Engines Ltd.,

H. Y. Wright.

Coates Limited,

C. P. Coates.

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd.,

W. J. McDonough.

Trans-Canada Air Lines,

Jas. T. Bain.

M & C Aviation Co. Ltd.,

R. Mayson, President.

Canadian Vickers Limited,

B. M. Franklin, Manager, Aircraft Division. Boeing Aircraft of Canada Ltd.,

S. Burke, President.

Prairie Airways Ltd. (Aircraft Division),

H. H. Burke.

Aircraft Repair Ltd.,

W. L. Brintnell, President.

Standard Machine Works,

Chas. F. Pearce.

Aviation Electric Ltd.,

A. Bandi, President.

MacDonald Bros. Aircraft Ltd.,

Grant MacDonald, President.

This document I think shows definitely that Mr. Bell has been proceeding along the right lines, although his methods in this instance do not commend themselves to myself, or I believe to the house. Apparently there was no doubt that the industry were fully agreed that an officer of the type appointed by Mr. Bell was necessary, and that the organization which is being built up by this officer has been doing most efficient work. You will notice that all firms in the aircraft industry urge that the work be not discontinued, but rather formalized and carried on in an expanded way.

I noticed in reading Hansard that the suggestion was made last evening that Mr. Hirst received a salary from the industry which was charged indirectly to the government.

War Appropriation-Supplies

Mr. HANSON (York-Sunbury):

No, no; nobody said that.

Mr. HOWE:

I think I should make it

clear that he has received only out-of-pocket

expenses.

Mr. HANSON (York-Sunbury):

Nobody said he was receiving a salary. What was said was that he was being reimbursed by business.

Mr. HOWE:

The hon. member for Lake Centre made a remark which led me to believe that that was meant.

Mr. HANSON (York-Sunbury):

Nobody said that.

Mr. HOWE:

In any case I want to make it clear that he received no salary and no indirect pay through advertising.