Mr. E. G. McCullough (Moose Mountain) moved

for leave to introduce Bill No. 179, to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act (flax and rye).

Mr. Knowles:

Explain.

Mr. McCullough (Moose Mountain):

Mr. Speaker, the purpose of this bill is to bring flax and rye under the jurisdiction of the Canadian wheat board so as to end speculation with respect to these grains on the Winnipeg grain exchange. As is well known we now have wheat, oats and barley under the jurisdiction of the wheat board. This amendment would end all gambling and speculation in western grain.

Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

1. How many children, sons and daughters of exservicemen, reaching the age of 16 years during the months of July and August in the years 1954, 1955 and 1956, and who have subsequently returned to school and have had their pensions reinstated, have been deprived of their pensions during the vacation period?

2. What sum of money would be involved to make retroactive payments to these children who have lost pensions during the past three years because their birthdays happened to fall in the vacation period, and who have subsequently returned to school, and are making satisfactory progress, and have had their pensions reinstated after the commencement of the new school year?

3. When pensions are reinstated, after a child who is over 16 years of age returns to school, are deductions made for holiday periods in subsequent years?

He said: Mr. Speaker, I am informed that in order to prepare an answer to this question a great deal of work is involved, and as the purpose for which the question was put on the paper has now been resolved I request that it be withdrawn.

Mr. Speaker:

Dropped.

1. Has consideration been given, since the indication on July 25, 1956, that such would be done, to the issuing of a card, certificate or other form of evidence to civil servants and other government employees who are participants in the life insurance or death benefit scheme under part II of the Public Service Superannuation Act, so that such employees might have a document to show that they are covered by such protection?

2. If so, what is the result of such consideration?

3. Will the issuing of such a document be effected soon?

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

Mr. Speaker, the answer is that this question has been under discussion by the advisory committee to the minister on the Public Service Superannuation Act and by the superannuation branch of the Department of Finance.

The answer to No. 2 is that because of the changes that take place from time to time in an employee's status and salary level with resulting changes in the amount of the death benefit available it is considered impracticable to issue any certificate which would state what his death benefit would be. As a result consideration is now being given to issuing a statement which would indicate that the employee is at that time required to contribute under part II of the Public Service Superannuation Act.

What expenditures have been made in dredging in the vicinity of piers, channels, Courtenay bay, in Saint John harbour area, during the years 1953, 1954, 1955 and 1956?

1. Is any land at Port Burwell, Ontario, owned by the- Department of Public Works or the Department of Transport?

2. If so, how extensive are these property holdings and how are they defined?

3. How much of this property, if any, is leased to any municipality or individuals or businesses, and who are the holders of such leases?

4. For how long are such properties leased and on what terms?

Orders for Returns

1. Have any assets given to the Crown Assets Disposal Corporation been returned by them to any department of government and later either sold or given to a province or municipal government to be used for a specific purpose within the jurisdiction of such province or municipality, in the years 1954, 1955 and 1956?

2. If so, what are the instances?