Mr. MEWBURN:

They have seen the

light.

Mr. MEWBURN:

I was paired with the

hon. member for Quebec South (Mr. Power). Had I voted I would have voted against your ruling, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. MEWBURN:

The bill1 is practically

the same as the English act.

Mr. MEWBURN:

I believe, Sir, that a great saving of the time of the House could be accomplished in that way. Departmental officers when their estimates were up could be called before that special committee. To me it has always been absurd when a minister of the crown was being asked all sorts of questions, some pertinent, others not, on matters affecting his department-which in many cases he could not be expected to know-to see his deputy, who naturally is familiar with the affairs of his department, compelled to whisper the information to his minister, who repeated it to the House, his deputy not being allowed to give the information direct. I believe in many departments of the government we would get more information and save a great deal of the time of the House if the estimates were dealt with by a special committee.

Hon. S. C. MEWBURN (East Hamilton):

Mr. Speaker, I rather concur in this resolution. It seems to me it is quite proper that these estimates should go before a special committee of the House, particularly as the resolution contains this proviso:

That nothing in this resolution shall be construed to curtail in any way the full right of discussion in committee of Supply.

I should like to see the government go a step further and refer all the estimates to a special committee of the House.