Mr. Knight:

Would I be correct in assuming that ninety per cent of these foreign language books are not examined at all?

Mr. McCann:

You would be entirely

incorrect.

Mr. Knight:

I am glad to hear that. Tonight, for the first time in four years, I am getting some information.

Mr. McCann:

Why did you not bring it up under the right department?

Mr. Knight:

I have brought it up under the hon. gentleman's estimates with very little success. I do know some books*-

Mr. Fournier (Hull):

Mr. Chairman, I

believe the discussion is taking place on the wrong item. The Minister of National Revenue just stated that the censorship of these books is in his department, and there should be some item in his estimates under which the hon. gentleman can discuss this question. The Secretary of State has said that his department does translations for other departments but that he does not know anything about censorship. So I really think the hon. gentleman should discuss this question on another occasion.

Mr. Knight:

I want to make just one last point, as a matter of information rather than a question. The Secretary of State did not have the information, but I can give him the figures for one particular period. At one time in the bureau of translations there were 210 translators, of whom 207 were for French and English, which left a total of three for all the other languages in the world. I do not know whether that is considered a sufficient number to examine the books that are presented for admission, but those are the facts

Supply-Secretary of State that were given to me. The only way I can find out whether or not those facts are true is to ask the minister concerned, and for having done that I offer no apology.

Mr. McLure:

I do not want the Secretary of State to think I am going after him on these estimates, because I know he is new to the department and is only following the procedure that has been laid down. My idea is to warn him that next session we will expect more details in reference to these matters. For instance, in reference to the bureau of translations, at page 255 we see that the salaries amount to $377,970. Directly below that is an item amounting to about seventy per cent of the one I have mentioned, or $251,475, as to which we have no information at all. We are simply asked to vote a blank cheque in this amount. In fairness to this committee I believe that on another occasion, in another year, we should have some explanation of this. We know this item is a wonderful vote catcher for elections, and I notice that this year it is a little larger than usual. However, we shall let that pass for the time being, though in future we shall expect to see more details given, so that we may not be asked to vote blank cheques.

Mr. Knowles:

I wonder if the Secretary of State could now give a little more information in reply to some of the questions which were asked a few moments ago. What kind of persons are employed to do this citizenship work? By that I mean what are their qualifications, and in what fields are they qualified? I think we all feel that this is a pretty important phase of governmental activity, but we would like to know what it is all about. I imagine there is a pretty good story here, if the minister could just tell it to us.

Mr. Bradley:

It is mainly liaison work between the new citizens or immigrants and the provincial authorities, particularly in matters having to do with the subject of education. A great deal of the work is carried on by a voluntary organization known as the citizenship council, which as a matter of fact gets a vote of some $10,000 a year from this parliament. I cannot give much in the way of detail about it other than I have already given.

Mr. Thatcher:

Will the minister state the reason for the heavy increase in this particular item over last year? I believe most of it was caused by printing, stationery and office equipment. Why would it be so much greater this year than the previous year? The item shows an increase from $8,000 to $88,000.

Mr. Bradley:

There is an increase of

approximately $80,000 for printing, stationery and office equipment. That is due to the cost of printing new pamphlets, the preparation of film scripts which are essential for the work of this branch, and so on. Then there was an increase in the number of radio broadcasts which accounts for the balance of the increase.

Mr. Lennard:

How much for radio

broadcasts.

Mr. Bradley:

Five thousand dollars.

Mr. Thatcher:

Is the minister saying that there was $80,000 more printing this year than there was last year? It seems like a fantastic increase.

Mr. Bradley:

That is for printing, stationery and office equipment.

Mr. Thatcher:

Which is going to be the normal figure in the future, $8,000 or $88,000?

Mr. Bradley:

I am afraid I cannot look far into the future, Mr. Chairman. This is a growing country.

Mr. Thatcher:

This item has increased ten times in one year. If it is going to increase ten times next year, I suppose it will be $880,000.