1. Is the Department of Transport negotiating for the deepening of harbours in Port Colborne at Canada Cement Company Ltd., and Maple Leaf Mills Ltd.?

2. If so, what progress has been made in these negotiations and when may a decision be expected as a result?

Mr. J. A. Byrne (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Transport):

Mr. Speaker, the answer to this question is in two parts.

1. The St. Lawrence Seaway Authority is negotiating with Maple Leaf Mills Limited, but not with Canada Cement Company Limited.

2. Surveys of the work have been carried out and cost estimates prepared by Authority engineers. A financial proposal is presently being worked on for presentation to Maple Leaf Mills Limited toward the end of March.

1. Was an anouncement made by the Minister of Transport on December 6, 1965, that some 4,000 acres were to be expropriated in the Welland area for the possible construction of a Welland canal bypass?

2. If so, when will the committee of officials considering this proposal make their report?

3. Is there a deadline for receipt of the report, and if so, what is it?

Mr. J. A. Byrne (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Transport):

Mr. Speaker, the answer to this question is in three parts.

1. Yes.

2 and 3. The matter is presently under consideration by the government and an announcement will be made when a decision is reached.

Will the government consider reviewing the case of the widow of airman Edward E. Chambers, and other cases like it, with regard to pension entitlement?

Hon. Roger Teillel (Minister of Veterans Affairs):

An appeal board of the Canadian

March 7, 1966

Questions

Pension Commission will deal with the case of the widow of Airman Edward E. Chambers as soon as her advocate indicates that the case is ready for presentation.

With respect to other cases, the Canadian Pension Commission is always ready to entertain applications submitted in accordance with the provisions of the Pension Act.

1. Has any consideration been given to arrange that text books and related reading materials (used or otherwise) be shipped postage free to underdeveloped countries?

2. If so, when will this come into effect?

3. If not, would the government consider adopting such a measure?

Hon. Jean-Pierre Cole (Postmaster General):

1. Exchange of mail between countries is governed by the provisions of the Convention of the Universal Postal Union which do not provide for free postage for text books and related reading materials. Such materials mailed in Canada for destinations abroad may benefit from the special arrangement provided by the convention for transmission in bulk at a rate of postage calculated on the bulk weight.

2. Not applicable.

3. Unilateral action is not possible under the abovementioned convention.

Has research shown that air pollutions caused by fumes from industrial plants, cars, asphalt dust, etc., are contributing factors to lung cancer and, if so, has the Department of National Health and Welfare instituted a program of research to study this grave problem with a view toward implementing some corrective measures!

Hon. A. J. MacEachen (Minister of National Health and Welfare):

It has been well established that a significant relationship exists between the incidence of lung cancer and long term exposure to pollutants in certain industrial environments as well as what may collectively be called urban pollution. The Occupational Health Division of the Department of National Health and Welfare is carrying out a research program related to aspects of this matter.

[Mr. TeiUet.)

1. How much money has been paid out by the federal government to Ontario and Quebec farmers under the crop loss assistance program?

2. When did the payments start and what will the closing-off date of the payments be?

3. What was the average price for feed grains at local feed mills in Ontario and Quebec before the subsidy rate took effect and the average rate now for feed grains after the subsidy has been in effect for some months?

4. What was the average rate per ton for hay before the subsidy was announced and what is the average price for hay now that the subsidy has been in effect for a number of months?

Hon. J. J. Greene (Minister of Agriculture):

1 and 2. Federal government payments under the 1965 feed assistance program are made as reimbursement to the provinces. The provinces issued redeemable coupons to eligible farmers. As the provinces redeem these coupons used by farmers in the purchase of hay and eligible feeds, claims are made on the federal government for reimbursement.

Coupons were issued in Ontario starting about October 1, 1965 and in Quebec starting about January 1, 1966. No claims for reimbursement have yet been received from Quebec and reimbursement totalling $190,000 has been made against claims received from Ontario.

Coupons are eligible for use in Ontario on hay purchased and delivered in the period commencing May 16, 1965 and ending May

15, 1966 and on other eligible feeds purchased and delivered in the period commencing July

16, 1965 and ending May 15, 1966.

In Quebec coupons are eligible for use on hay and other eligible feeds purchased and delivered in the period commencing July 1, 1965 and ending May 30, 1966.

3. Average retail prices, per 100 pounds, delivered (bags included)*:

Ontario Quebec

Aug. 1, Jan. 1, Aug. 1, Jan. 1,1965 1966 1965 1966Corn, cracked $3.65 $3.65 $3.89 $3.84Oats, unground 3.10 3.17 3.14 3.23Barley, ground 3.30 3.41 3.34 3.41Wheat, unground 3.64 3.65 3.72 3.71

Source: Dominion Bureau of Statistics.

March 7, 1966

4. Average price, per ton, received by farmers at the farm for hay and clover in

bales*:

Ontario Quebec

July, 1965 $24.09 $25.38August, 1965 25.68 28.51December, 1965 27.27 33.25

*Source: Dominion Bureau of Statistics.

1. Referring to part I of the sixty-fifth annual report of the National Capital Commission at page 12, what are the names of the "numerous consultants" employed in respect of the area of Confederation square?

2. For what particular purpose was each such consultant employed?