Mr. Bradley:

I would not undertake to prophesy that, but I am hopeful that we may get it into operation on January 1.

Mr. Bradley:

I realize that what my hon. friend has said is not altogether without justification. What he fails to take into account is the difficulties with which the department is faced. The work of the patent office is growing year by year, and it is not always easy to get staff to do the work. As a matter of fact, our staff is short at the present time. It is exceedingly difficult to get qualified examiners and, at times, equally difficult to hold them. The new applications received this year numbered 16,052. That is 604 more than we received last year. The number of cases allowed was 10,167, 44 more than last year. The number of examiners' reports was 12,282, 946 less than last year. The number of examiners' actions was 22,449, 902 less than last year. The number of cases disposed of was 13,644, 852 less than last year. The number of patents printed was 9,700. The number of patents issued was 184 more than for last year.

Mr. Bradley:

I think the explanation is that in the past there have been a number of these positions paid for out of the advance account, and they have now been transferred to administration. They will no longer be paid out of the advance account, that is the $4 million which is advanced by the Department of Finance as a sort of revolving trading fund.

Mr. Bradley:

Mr. Chairman, this will cover the expenses of the department itself in connection with travelling expenses, salaries, office expenses and various other expenditures to the amount of about $67,970. The Department of External Affairs will require roughly $25,000. Canada House has a vote

here for expenditures which will be made by them for various purposes over there, including decorations, the hire of cars and one thing and another like that, amounting to some $14,000. Then the Department of Public Works requires a substantial amount, $243,500, for decorations all over Canada.

Hon. F. G. Bradley (Secretary of State):

Is

the hon. member speaking about a war claim?