Mr. Diefenbaker:

If no arrangements were consummated would the Prime Minister be able to say whether he made it clear to the Premier and Mr. Gerin-Lajoie that only the Federal Government can enter into treaties, ententes, agreements or whatever the expression may be, that in any way concern foreign governments?

Mr. Pearson:

Mr. Speaker, the Federal position in this matter has already been made clear to Mr. Lesage and Mr. Gerin-Lajoie through the statement made by the Secretary of State for External Affairs some days ago; and in the discussions last night, which were very friendly indeed, we did not depart from that position.

Mr. Diefenbaker:

Well, Mr. Speaker, I was quite surprised that it should have been the foreign affairs minister who made the statement respecting this matter unless in fact there was some recognition of the status of both the federal and provincial governments being in that category. But I ask the Prime Minister this categorical question. Did he make clear to those with whom he met that all agreements, treaties, ententes or accords that are made with foreign countries can only be made by the federal authorities and no one else?

Mr. Pearson:

Mr. Speaker, it is perfectly clear and has been made clear to all those interested, including our visitors last night, that no agreement that has international

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standing or is accepted in international law can be made except by Canada.

Mr. Diefenbaker:

And was it made clear that that applies to education and other matters that fall within the jurisdiction of the provinces?

Mr. Pearson:

Mr. Speaker, I have just stated what was made clear.

Hear, hear.

Mr. Diefenbaker:

That is the second retreat.

[DOT] (2:50 p.m.)

Hon. Paul Martineau (Pontiac-Temisca-mingue):

A supplementary question to the Prime Minister. Could he tell us whether among the questions of mutual interest which were discussed the question of an early Federal election was one?

Mr. T. C. Douglas (Burnaby-Coquitlam):

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he has received any information from the Government of the United States as to its intentions, purposes and objectives in the Dominican Republic? Will he also tell us whether any representations have been made by the Canadian Government to the United States to the effect that the people of the Dominican Republic should be given some voice in the selection of whatever individual is to become president there after the United States troops have been withdrawn? May I ask him also whether representations have been made that ex-President Bosch, who was democratically elected in the republic, should be given an opportunity to be chosen by the people of that area to serve again in his former post if they so desire?

Right Hon. L. B. Pearson (Prime Minisier):

We have made no representations to the United States with respect to the position of ex-President Bosch in this matter, or what should be his position in developments as they occur within the Dominican Republic. Naturally-and I do not think it is necessary for us to tell the United States Government this-we hope that any political arrangements which are made for the restoration of peace and security to the island will be made by and for the people of the Dominican Republic.

We are attempting, naturally, to get all the information we can in regard to this situation, but I have very little to add to what I

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Inquiries of the Ministry said yesterday, though additional information and reports have reached us since then. As I emphasized yesterday, these are not conclusive concerning the degree of communist involvement in the fighting in Santo Domingo. However, a number of communists are involved with the insurgents to the best of our information and some have received guerrilla training in communist countries including, I have no doubt, Cuba.

At the same time I should like to make it very clear that we do not at the present time have information which would enable us to arrive at a definite conclusion concerning the direct involvement of communist countries in the Dominican Republic rebellion. However, we are in close consultation through diplomatic channels with all sources of information available to us, including our own embassy there, concerning developments in the Dominican Republic and are striving to get as complete an account as possible.

Mr. Douglas:

I am sure the House welcomes the statement by the Prime Minister that we all desire the people of the Dominican Republic to have some voice in deciding on whatever Government is to take over. May I ask the right hon. gentleman whether any representations will be made by the Government of Canada to the United States to make absolutely sure that the people of this island do not again have foisted upon them a military dictatorship such as deposed President Bosch a short time ago?

Mr. Pearson:

I can only express a hope that this will be the result of the present unhappy developments in the Dominican Republic. If this should be the outcome then perhaps something of advantage will have resulted to the people of that country.

Mr. R. N. Thompson (Red Deer):

I have a related question for the Minister of National Defence. Can the Minister inform us whether reports are true that a Canadian warship has been posted to the Caribbean area? If so, why has it been sent to those waters?

Hon. Paul Hellyer (Minister of National Defence):

There was one in the area and it has been ordered to stand by in case it is required.

Hon. George C. Nowlan (Digby-Annapolis-Kings):

I wonder whether I may direct a

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Inquiries of the Ministry question to the Minister of Finance, notice of which has not been given to him; he may have anticipated it, however, from a news story which appeared in the Globe and Mail this morning. If not, I am sure he will take this as notice and reply to my question later.

I should like to ask what progress is being made with respect to the renegotiation of the tax treaty between Canada and the United Kingdom. Would the hon. gentleman also comment on a statement made yesterday in Toronto that in the budget brought down in London the withholding tax is to be 42J per cent in respect of Canadian corporations which are not protected by the tax treaty?