Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre) moved

for leave to introduce Bill No. 163, to amend the Income Tax Act.

He said: Mr. Speaker, this bill makes two changes in the Income Tax Act. First, it provides for hearings before the income tax appeal board, when the appellant is a corporation, to be held in public and not in camera. Second, it removes in part, although only in part, the secrecy provisions of the Income Tax Act with respect to information contained in corporation income tax returns. This bill makes no change in the strict secrecy provided in the act with respect to personal income tax returns.

Mr. Speaker:

Has the hon. member leave to introduce the said bill?

No.

Mr. Speaker:

I hear some hon. members saying "No". Leave is not granted as a matter of course, and if some members say "No", I shall have to put the question.

Agreed.

Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

1. How many employees have been laid off by the Canadian National Railways since September 1, 1953?

2. How many of such employees were, at the time of their being laid off, between the ages of 60 and 65?

3. How many of such employees between the ages of 60 and 65 are in receipt of any pension from the Canadian National Railways, and what is the average amount of such pension?

4. How many of such employees between the ages of 60 and 65 have been laid off without any pension?

5. What steps are being taken by the Canadian National Railways to provide a pension for such employees?

Mr. Marler:

Perhaps I might be allowed to deal with this question orally, Mr. Speaker.

The management of the Canadian National Railways informs me that to answer an inquiry of the general character of part 1 of the question would necessitate the examination of innumerable local records in 42 divisions of the railway all across Canada, and would require the services of a considerable staff for many weeks.

In this connection, it is pointed out to me that the Canadian National regularly compiles a substantial volume of statistical data of all kinds relating to the business of the company, and these statistics are regularly published by the dominion bureau of statistics in a monthly report entitled "railway operating statistics".

Referring specifically to parts 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the question, the management advise that lay-olfs, when made, are strictly in accordance with the seniority principles prescribed in the agreements with employees' organizations, and that it would be most unusual for an employee aged 60 or over to have his employment status indefinitely, but not permanently, severed. Eligibility for pension under the Canadian National Railways pension rules depends on the attainment of a certain age and the accumulation of a certain number of years of service.

Mr. Knowles:

May I ask a supplementary question? I appreciate the general principles the minister has stated, but is it not possible to give specific answers to some of the questions, for example, to parts 4 and 5, as to the number of persons involved?

Mr. Marler:

I do not believe I can answer more clearly than I have. I feel that for the reasons I have just given it is not practicable to give the complete information the hon. member has requested.

Mr. Speaker:

Question answered.

1. How many section and maintenance men of the Canadian National Railways have been laid off by (a) regions; (b) divisions, since the 1st day of January, 1955?

2. Is it anticipated that there will be further lay-offs and, if so, what are expected numbers by

(a) regions; (b) divisions?

3. What is the total number of employees of Canadian National Railways in (a) office staffs,

(b) all other positions, laid off either permanently or temporarily, since the 1st day of December, 1954?

4. How many employees of Canadian National Railways have had their working hours reduced, since the 1st day of January, 1955?