Mr. H. W. Herridge (Kootenay West):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Prime Minister. I apologize for not having given notice of it, but I was prevented from doing so by circumstances entirely beyond my control. I ask the question in view of numerous inquiries from people who know the Prime Minister's long interest in this matter. Can he inform the house whether he has under consideration any measures required for the reformation of the other place?

Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the good humour in which the question was asked, and I assure my hon. friend that his touch of humour would certainly bring about a measure of reformation in any house.

Mr. Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):

You cannot get rid of him that way.

Mr. D. F. Brown (Essex West):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Public Works. Have representations been made by Assumption University of Windsor for amendment of regulations under the National Housing Act to permit a loan at a low rate of interest, as is the practice in the United States, for the purpose of enabling the university to provide dormitory and attendant facilities at that university at a time when assistance in aid of employment is urgently needed? If so, what have been the results?

Hon. Howard C. Green (Minister of Public Works):

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe any such representations have been received. Such a change would not be a matter of amending regulations; I think it would require legislation.

Inquiries of the Ministry

Mr. Brown (Essex West):

May I be permitted to forward to the minister the representations which I think have been made?

Mr. Stanley Haidasz (Trinity):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of National Health and Welfare. Is he aware that the position of chief coordinator of civil defence has been vacant for five months, owing to the resignation of Major General Worthington? Has he any intention of replacing him?

Hon. J. W. Monteilh (Minister of National Health and Welfare):

Mr. Speaker, I might point out to the hon. member that the post has not actually been vacant for five months. In due course the government will make known its intention in this respect.

Hon. George H. Hees (Minister of Transport):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to answer another series of questions put by the hon. member for Laurier during the examination of the estimates of the Department of National Defence regarding the ship Labrador, which is coming under the authority of the Department of Transport.

The Labrador is undergoing naval refit at the present time, following which certain additional work will be necessary for Department of Transport purposes. Details of this are not fully available yet but it is expected that this will involve such items as interior layout, in view of the fact that my department will be operating this ship with a crew of about 85 instead of a naval crew of well over 200; modifications to make the ship conform with safety requirements of the board of steamship inspection, which are somewhat different from those of the military; and possibly certain other technical modifications in view of the expected new winter role of the Labrador in icebreaking.

My department already operates a major Beet in the eastern Arctic each summer, composed of icebreakers and supply ships, and the Labrador will be added to this operation, which performs extensive military and civil duties. The main function of the Labrador in the last couple of years has been in connection with assistance to the U.S. fleet entering Foxe basin for purposes of D.E.W. line supply, a function which is

being taken over entirely by my department commencing this year, in so far as provision of ships and organization of supply is concerned. The Labrador may be used again in connection with this work, or may alternatively be used on other Arctic exploration convoy and supply work in connection with our general duties, but in any case I am satisfied that her responsibilities in the eastern Arctic are going to increase in the future rather than diminish.

Arrangements are also in hand for the other departments of government to carry on the research work in connection with the use of the Labrador which has been customary hitherto. She will also be added to the departmental fleet for winter icebreaking operations, and is expected to serve the gulf and Atlantic area in this role.

Hon. Lionel Chevrier (Laurier):

May I be

permitted to ask a supplementary question. If I understood the statement, although I could not follow it because it was read quickly, I believe the minister said that H.M.C.S. Labrador will be used for both military and civil purposes. The question I am prompted to ask is this. In view of the statement made by the Minister of National Defence that all the naval equipment, defence equipment, had been taken from her, I wonder just how it is going to be used for other than civil purposes?