Ralph Osborne Campney (Minister of National Defence)
Liberal
Mr. Campney:
I am informed, first, that the air force does endeavour to utilize as fully as possible its own engineering staff and, second, that it sometimes finds it is unable to obtain sufficient engineers of certain specialist categories. So I would think that would be a check on the use of the people in the air force who have engineering training.
In regard to the vote for professional fees and the increase from $1,500,000 to $3,600,000 for architects, engineers and consultants, shown on page 340, I might point out that out of the amount, $2,600,000 is for professional services in connection with the mid-Canada line, so that on the ground of normal engineering the vote is somewhat less this year than it was last year.
There is a great need for engineers. We cannot begin to get all we want. There is no other alternative but to go outside the service. We are utilizing people with engineering training, or certainly endeavouring to do so, to the very best advantage of the service.
Subtopic: SUGGESTED POLICY FOR STABILIZATION OF INDUSTRY