Mr. Hees:

Mr. Speaker, I do not believe I used the word "military". What I intended to say, and I thought I did, was that the ship will be performing the same type of tasks in the summertime in the future as it has performed in the past.

Hon. George C. Marler (St. Anloine-Wesl-mount):

I would like to direct a supplementary question to the Minister of Transport concerning H.M.C.S. Labrador. As I understood the statement he made just a moment ago it is the intention of his department that the Labrador shall carry out in the Arctic the same function as she formerly did when she was a part of the Royal Canadian Navy.

The question I should like to ask the minister is how it would be possible for the Labrador with a civilian crew to carry out the very important functions that the Labrador discharged when she formed part of the Canadian navy?

Mr. Hees:

Perhaps if the former minister and I could get together with the officials of my department we could settle the whole thing.

Oh, oh.

Mr. Pickersgill:

Surely this is of public interest.

Mr. Marler:

I would have hoped the minister would have been able to deal with the question more specifically. I should like to ask him if he does not appreciate that the Canadian public is very much interested in the functions to be carried out by the Labrador and the question of how the role she formerly exercised in the Arctic is going to be discharged by a civilian department.

Mr. Hees:

In the report I gave to the house I described the work the Labrador performed in the past. My department advises me that it is our intention that it will perform the same type of operation in the future. I do not think I can be any more specific than that.

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

Mr. Speaker, I should like to answer a question asked last Friday by the hon. member for Skeena, one in which the hon. member for Comox-Alberni has expressed a great deal of interest. With regard to the withdrawal of the coastal shipping services in British Columbia hitherto operated by Union Steamships Limited, I am glad to announce that an arrangement has been concluded with Canadian Pacific Steamships under which that company will provide a regular service from Vancouver to Alert Bay, Ocean Falls, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Port Simcoe, Kincolith, Stewart and Alice Arm. The service will be on a weekly basis, though this may have to be modified at some points if it becomes necessary to provide for additional points of call in the northern area, since only one vessel is available.

It will provide reasonable and adequate transportation for the coastal communities in line with their requirements. Certain other points which are not directly served will receive service by water taxi distribution from the main point of call, or are already receiving regular air service. To the extent that this may not prove adequate, additional arrangements either with Canadian Pacific Steamships or other sources will be considered if this should be necessary.

Mr. J. A. Byrne (Kootenay East):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Transport arising out of his statement with respect to arrangements with Canadian Pacific Steamships to provide service on the

Inquiries of the Ministry Pacific coast. Is there any question of subsidy involved in this arrangement? If so, can the minister say how much?

Mr. Hees:

Yes; at a rate of approximately $82,000 for the first three months of the year, compared to $300,000 which it would have been necessary to pay to the Union Steamships company.

Mr. C. A. Cannon (Iles-de-la-Madeleine):

Mr. Speaker, may I direct a question to the Minister of Transport. Some time ago the minister made a statement in the house in which he said that instructions were being given to his department to use icebreakers and any other means necessary to keep navigation open along the north shore of the St. Lawrence. At that time I asked him whether he would see that those instructions were enlarged, I might say, so they would include the Magdalen islands, to see what could be done to keep navigation open there. The minister was kind enough to tell me that he would look into the matter, but I have not heard from him since. I was wondering whether or not he could give me an answer at this time.

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

I do not recall that particular exchange, but I will be glad to look into the matter for the hon. member and report to him right away.

Mr. Cannon:

If the minister will look up Hansard he will refresh his memory.

Mr. Hees:

I do not deny that the exchange took place, but it must have been some time ago. However, it will not slow me down at all in looking into the matter.