Mr. F. G. J. Hahn (New Westminster):

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Public Works. In view of the statement made by the minister as recorded in volume IV of Hansard for the year 1955, at page 4390, to the effect that the federal government should assist the British Columbia government in the building of the P.G.E., would the minister indicate what success he has had in persuading this government to contribute toward its construction cost?

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

Mr. Speaker, fortunately I usually have very good success with my colleagues on questions of this kind.

Inquiries of the Ministry NATURAL RESOURCES

Hon. Alvin Hamilton (Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources):

Mr. Speaker, yesterday the hon. member for Victoria-Carleton asked if the government had considered extending the assistance under the program presently carried on by the federal government in connection with the spruce budworm infestation in New Brunswick.

I would like to announce at this time that the government of Canada had agreed to contribute to the government of New Brunswick one-third of the cost of the aerial spraying operation against the spruce budworm in that province up to a maximum of $3,250,000 until March 31, 1959. This maximum contribution is now almost completely expended and it is expected that it will be fully utilized by the end of this fiscal year.

In view of the need for a further spraying program in the summer of 1958, and at the request of the New Brunswick government, it has now been agreed, subject to the necessary funds being voted by parliament, that a further federal contribution not exceeding $600,000 will be made available for this purpose in the fiscal year 1958-59. This sum represents one-third of the estimated cost of the 1958 spraying program.

Through the forest biology division of the science service, Department of Agriculture, the government of Canada is continuing to provide technical advice and assistance to the aerial spraying program.

Mr. Lesage:

May I ask the minister if the infested area has increased during the last

year?

Mr. Hamilton (Qu'Appelle):

The information I have from the biological people is that the menace of the budworm in New Brunswick is ending.

Mr. Lesage:

Ended or ending?

Mr. Hamilton (Qu'Appelle):

That the

menace is ending. I think this will be the last year they will have to go forward with the program, and I feel that the country should know the program of the last five or six years has probably saved not only the forests of New Brunswick but also a good deal of the forests of Quebec.

Good Liberal policy.

Mr. G. R. McWilliam (Northumberland-

Miramichi): May I ask a supplementary question. How many groups are involved in contributing toward the expense of spraying

Inquiries of the Ministry the forests in New Brunswick? As I understand it, several pulp and paper companies also contribute.

Mr. Hamilton (Qu'Appelle):

It is a threeway deal between the federal government, the province of New Brunswick and the pulp and paper companies in that area, each paying one-third.

Hon. James Sinclair (Coast-Capilano):

May

I direct a question to the Minister of Fisheries on the same problem. Have the courts yet reached a decision on the suit of the Department of Fisheries against the people who sprayed not only the forests but the fish hatcheries in New Brunswick?

Hon. J. A. MacLean (Minister of Fisheries):

No, Mr. Speaker.

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

Yesterday the hon. member for Hull (Mr. Caron) asked me this question:

According to information received, tenders were requested for the disposal of the old post office in Hull, which tenders were to be opened on February 28 next. I have been told that pressure is being exerted to put back that date. Is it the intention of the department to accede to such demands?

The answer is that Crown Assets Disposal Corporation has called for tenders which are to be closed on February 21, not February 28. No representations have been received from anyone asking for a postponement of this date.