Mr. Angus Maclnnis (Vancouver-Kingsway):

Mr. Speaker, it is indeed with great regret that I heard a moment ago from the hon. member for Vancouver South (Mr. Phil-pott) that my good friend, Jack MacDougall, had passed away. I have known Jack MacDougall since 1935, when he was my opponent in the general election. We were political opponents but the very best of friends since that time and up to now. It is indeed with regret that I have heard of his passing, and I agree that in respect for the memory of one who took so much interest in the affairs of this house it would be proper to adjourn.

Mr. Solon E. Low (Peace River):

Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say that we were shocked at the news of the untimely passing of the hon. member for Vancouver-Burrard, the Liberal whip for the British Columbia group. We join the Prime Minister in desiring, out of respect for him and to show our sympathy and understanding to his friends and relatives, that this house should be adjourned. We also wish at this time to join in indicating the high regard in which we held the hon. member, and to say that his strained attention here in the past weeks had certainly taken a terrific toll on him.

Motion agreed to and the house adjourned at 3.11 p.m.

1. From January 1, 1946 to January 1, 1956, how many income tax cases have been assessed by the

6, 1956 4787

Question

Department of National Revenue as income for taxation purposes when the taxpayer or company concerned had deemed the profit involved capital gain in his return?

2. What is the breakdown of these cases by provinces?

Answer by: Hon. J. J. McCann (Minister of National Revenue):

1 and 2. Information not available.

4789

Thursday, June 7, 1956

Hon. W. E. Harris (Minister of Finance) moved:

That the message of His Excellency, together with the supplementary estimates presented on June 5, be referred to the committee of supply.

Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, almost the first words spoken by the Leader of the Opposition when he submitted this motion for the consideration of the house on Monday were the following:

The Speaker has held the regard, I think I can say without any question the deep affection, of most members of this house. It is with the utmost regret, not only on my own part but I know on the part of others, that a motion of this nature should have become necessary at this time.

We on this side of the house certainly do not feel-and I am sure there are many on the other side of the house who do not feel- that this motion was either necessary or warranted. We feel that the views expressed by the leader of the C.C.F. party, when he recalled the discussion which took place

in this chamber about a year ago that it might be desirable for this house to have the speakership a permanent office that would go on from one parliament to another, are views that would still be valid at the present time.

We feel that your conduct in the exercise of that office from the day you first took your place in the chair has been such that it deserves the commendation and affectionate regard of all hon. members of this house. I am sure that, distressing though it must have been to you, sir, to have to occupy the chair while this motion was being discussed on Monday, your conduct and the manner in which you presided over the deliberations of the house at that time have earned for you another degree of admiration and respect of the hon. members of this house on both sides.

When I moved that the debate be adjourned I thought that on reflection it might be possible that the house would not have to make any pronouncement upon the motion, and that the hon. gentleman who had moved it would feel that the best interests of parliament would be served by withdrawing the motion. Apparently that is not to take place and the matter probably will have to come to a decision.

The hon. member for Vancouver-Kingsway (Mr. Maclnnis) suggested that it should be disposed of and that there should be a decision of the house upon it at the earliest possible moment. I think that is desirable if the matter has to be proceeded with, and I shall add nothing further to what I said on the previous occasion because I think your conduct is the best refutation of the statements made in the motion and that most hon. members would feel that they should at the earliest possible moment be able to signify their formal view that that is the fact.

Therefore I suggest that it be disposed of on the same high plane which was maintained on Monday; and now that the very contentious measure which was the occasion for the events which preceded the motion has passed out of our hands I would hope that calmer views will prevail and that we can get back to a position where we will be able to discharge our duties to the country with respect to the matters which have to be dealt with at the earliest possible moment.

Mr. Drew:

Mr. Speaker-

House of Commons

Mr. Speaker:

Are we to take it that the hon. Leader of the Opposition is to speak with unanimous consent and will not close the debate?