Mr. William Knowles (Norfolk-Haldimand):

Mr. Speaker, I had a question for the Minister of Veterans Affairs but in his absence I will direct it to his parliamentary secretary. In view of the fact the Minister of Veterans Affairs has undertaken to consider an upward revision of the basic rate of disability pensions, would the minister undertake to refer this study to the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs forthwith with instructions to make recommendations to the House at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. Lloyd Francis (Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Veterans Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, I will be happy to bring this question to the attention of the minister who will reply in due course.

Mr. Les Benjamin (Regina-Lake Centre):

Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the minister in charge of the Canadian Wheat Board. In light of the government's announcement that is going to purchase 2,000 hopper cars, is it the intention of the Wheat Board to use those cars mostly on unit trains from inland terminals or will they be used to carry grain from individual shipping points?

Hon. Otto E. Lang (Minister of Justice):

Mr. Speaker, there will be no limitation upon the use which the Board, in consultation with the railroads may choose to make of these cars. I would expect them to be used more in the movement from individual shipping points than from inland terminals, but I do not exclude either.

Mr. Benjamin:

Mr. Speaker, may I direct my next question to the right hon. Prime Minister. In view of the fact there is a chronic shortage of railroad equipment not only to haul grain but other commodities, and in light of the government's announcement of its intention to purchase 2,000 hopper cars, is it considering the purchase of refrig-

erator cars for potato movement in the Maritimes and livestock cars for the movement of livestock in western Canada in view of the inability of the railways to meet their responsibilities?

Right Hon. P. E. Trudeau (Prime Minister):

Without conceding the premise of the question, Mr. Speaker, the answer is no.

Hon. Hugh John Flemming (Carleton-Charlotte):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Regional Economic Expansion. Is the minister able to confirm the statement made by Mr. McCain, chairman of the board of McCain Foods Limited, Florenceville, Carle-ton County, New Brunswick, as published in the Hartland Observer in its issue of May 25?

Hon. Jean Marchand (Minister of Regional Economic Expansion):

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for having given me notice of the question. Unfortunately I could not find a copy of the newspaper. If I could have a copy of it maybe I could comment on it.

Mr. Flemming:

Will the minister assure the House that he will make a statement if I send him a copy of the article in question?

Mr. Eldon M. Woolliams (Calgary North):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Justice. As it would now appear that the Thorson case, the case launched by a former judge of the Exchequer Court, is going to get a hearing in reference to the constitutionality of the Official Languages Act, is the government of Canada considering its position and will counsel be appointed on the constitutional question so that the government's position will be put forward at that hearing?

Hon. Otto E. Lang (Minister of Justice):

Mr. Speaker, I will have to look at the question of whether any further move on our part is required. I should think not.

Mr. Woolliams:

Since the Minister of Justice said he plans to take a look at it, will he then make a further report to the House in reference thereto?

Mr. Lang:

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

June 1, 1972