1. Has the government considered the recommendations of the joint parliamentary committee of 1946 on a design for a distinctive Canadian flag?

2. If so, have steps been taken by the government to bring down legislation implementing the committee's recommendations?

Stand.

Mr. Hansell:

Mr. Speaker, this question

has been standing now for several days. I permitted it to stand the last time it was called.

With reference to section 60 of the Auditor General's Report, 1957:

1. What official of the Department of National Defence authorized the expenditure of some $2,068,000 for the joint maritime warfare school at Halifax?

2. To whom was the original contract of $750,000 awarded?

3. Was this project abandoned?

4. If so, on what date, and what was the total expenditure on the project up to time of abandonment?

5. What was the cost of the building erected to house this project?

6. What use is being made of the building?

Hon. G. R. Pearkes (Minister of National Defence):

Mr. Speaker, the answer to part

1 of this question is that the authority for expenditure was minute of treasury board No. 438,477, dated November 14, 1952.

The answer to part 2 is Computing Devices of Canada Limited.

The answer to part 3 is yes. This project was cancelled in July, 1956, and in June, 1957, the former government issued a cabinet directive transferring the trainer to the Department of Transport. Arrangements were made by the Department of Transport with the civil aeronautic authority for the trainer to be converted to an air traffic control simulator by Computing Devices of Canada Limited, the cost of such conversion being met by the civil aeronautic authority. It is expected that this conversion will be completed in April, and the trainer will then be moved to the C.A.A. establishment in Indianapolis where it will be used by both D.O.T. and C.A.A. It has been agreed that C.A.A. will rent the equipment for the nominal sum of $1 per year.

The answer to part 4 is that the decision to cancel the project was taken on July 24, 1956. The expenditure on the project was $5,052,617.55. The answer to part 5 is that the building in which the trainer was to be housed comprises 75,655 square feet. The space allocated for the trainer was 35,000 square feet. The proportionate cost of the 35,000 square feet is $700,000.

The answer to part 6 is that this space is to be used for the accommodation of an alternative trainer, which has now been ordered

from the United Kingdom at a cost of $900,000. This is to be installed during 1958-59.

1. Has the city of Cornwall applied to the Department of Transport to have incorporated a harbour commission?

2. If so, has the application been dealt with, and in what manner?

Mr. MacDonald, Parliamentary Assistant, for the Minister of Transport: Mr. Speaker, the answer to both parts of this question is that a letter has recently been received from counsel for the city of Cornwall indicating that the city council passed a resolution last October relating to the establishment of a local harbour commission. A very careful search of departmental records has been made but the resolution has not been found on file in the department, and it would appear that it was either not forwarded to the department at that time for consideration or, if it was forwarded, that it did not reach the department.

However, in view of the recent letter received from counsel for the city the matter is now being followed up further with the appropriate municipal officials.

Since June 10, 1957, what action has been taken by the government to encourage decentralization of industry and to encourage industrial development?

1. Is a Mr. A. Patrick De Shaye in the employ of the P.F.R.A. or P.F.A.A. in the province of Saskatchewan?

2. If so, how long has he been so employed?

3. In what capacity is he employed?

4. What sums of money have been paid to Mr. De Shaye for each year during his employment in (a) salary; (b) expenses; (c) any other fees or payments?

5. Was Mr. De Shaye in the employ of P.F.R.A. or P.F.A.A. during September of 1957?

6. What was the amount paid to him during September 1957, in (a) salary; (b) expenses or other fees?

7. What are the details of his expense account for (a) May 1957; (b) September 1957?

1. How many pounds of honey were imported into Canada from the United States of America, during the calendar year 1957?

2. Was this honey graded or inspected by Canadian fruit and vegetable inspectors?

Inquiries of the Ministry

3. Did this honey conform to Canadian grades and classifications?

4. Was any of this honey detained because of failure to conform with class and grade marked on packages?

5. If so, how many pounds were placed under detention?

6. How many pounds of manufacturing honey were imported into Canada from the United States of America, during the calendar year 1957?

7. How many pounds from other countries, and from what countries?