1. Has Hr. Bela Eisner been appointed by the Minister of National War Services, or by the Department of National War Services, or by the committee on cooperation in Canadian citizenship, to do any work on behalf of said committee? If so, what is the nature of the work assigned to Dr. Eisner?

2. Were any Hungarian organizations in Canada consulted with reference to Dr. Eisner's appointment before it was made? If so, what organizations, and what were their views in the matter of Dr. Eisner's appointment?

3. Is Dr. Eisner receiving any remuneration from the government for the work he is doing? If so, howr much?

Mr. LaFLECHE:

1. The services of Dr. Bela Eisner were utilized for a period of three months, September, October and November, 1942, for the purpose of obtaining a report on the general situation of Canadian Communities of Hungarian origin. He has not been connected with this department since that time.

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2. Dr. Bela Eisner's services were recommended by the cultural council of Canadians of hungarian origin.

3. Travelling expenses only were paid for the months of September, October and November, 1942, in the amount of $414.95.

1. What business house represents the American Sterilizer people in Canada?

2. Is Lieutenant-Colonel Wheeler, head of the directorate of hospital equipment and supplies, a director of the above concern?

1. Ingram and Bell Limited.

2. Yes.

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

The United Kingdom government and other commonwealth governments have made requests to the Canadian government for the services of Canadians of Japanese origin for various purposes connected with the conduct of the war.

The governments concerned have been informed that their needs will be filled in so far as qualified individuals can be found.

1. What is the procedure for rotation leave now in force for the armed forces overseas?

2. Is it automatic?

3. Does a soldier have to apply for such leave?

4. If so, how many applications have been granted?

5. Have any been refused?

6. If so, how many and for what reasons?

1. Rotation leave is granted on monthly quotas. Selections are made by commanders in the field for troops in theatres of operations and by Canadian military headquarters for those in the United Kingdom. Leave is granted on a priority basis having regard to the soldier's length of overseas service, amount of combat service, marital status, conduct, etc.

2. No.

3. Yes.

Questions

4, 5 and 6. This information is not available in Canada but could be secured from Canadian military headquarters. To do so, however, would involve extensive inquiry inasmuch as the details must be secured from unit commanders in the field, and require a great deal of time and labour to secure. To date a total of 4,084 all ranks have been returned to Canada under this scheme.

1. What loans have been made by the industrial development bank, by months, since the beginning of its operations?

2. Has the industrial development bank opened, or does it intend to open, any branch offices other than those in Toronto and Vancouver?

1. Section 29(1) of the Industrial Development Bank Act requires that "The bank shall, within twenty-one days following the end of each calendar month, make up and transmit to the Minister of Finance in such form as he may prescribe, a statement of its assets and liabilities at the close of business on the last day of the preceding month." This statement as at February 28, 1945, appeared in the Canada Gazette of March 24, 1945, and showed loans and investments (excluding dominion government securities) at $79,229.77.

In addition, section 29(2) provides that "The bank shall make up and transit to the Minister of Finance at least once in its fiscal year or more frequently if so directed by the minister, in such form as he may prescribe, a classification of its loans and investments and of the loans guaranteed by it." Provision is made for the publication of this statement in the Canada Gazette following its receipt by the minister.

2. The Industrial Development bank has opened branches in Toronto and Montreal and will open shortly a branch in Vancouver. The policy of the bank in opening additional branches will be determined by the board of directors in light of the volume of loaning business in other localities.

1. On the withdrawal of American army personnel from Yukon, Alberta and western British Columbia, will the government of Canada acquire the telephone lines constructed by said army between Edmonton, Alberta, passing through Whitehorse, Yukon, and extending to Fairbanks, Alaska?

2. Will the government of Canada consider linking said lines with its government telegraph system?

1. Under the exchange of notes of June 23 and 27, 1944, the Canadian government undertook to reimburse the United States government for the construction of the telephone-telegraph teletype line from Edmonton to the Alaska boundary. The agreement provides that these facilities will be relinquished to the Canadian government.

2. The question of the future use of these lines is under consideration and no statement can be made at present.

1. Has the government paid any subsidy to the Prescott-Ogdensburg Ferry Company since the beginning of the war?

2. If so, what amounts have been paid?

3. Are further payments of any such subsidies contemplated?

1. Yes.

2. 1942-43, $11,640; 1943-44, $11,640; 1944-45 (to Dec. 31, 1944), $8,730.

3. Yes, a further payment of $2,910 will be made for the quarter ended March 31, 1945, as soon as claims are received and approved.