Mr. BENCE:

But that is contrary to what the Minister of Veterans' Affairs told the hon. member for Yorkton.

Mr. BENCE:

Do I understand in connection with all these estates that the appropriate branch, whether it be army, navy or air force, will advise the Department of Veterans' Affairs as to who is designated in the will to receive that particular estate, and that will be done automatically?

Mr. BENCE:

I understand notice will go>

out now as a matter of course.

Mr. BENCE:

In connection with that point, in view of the fact that each department has its record of deceased service men, the person designated in the will should be advised of the fact of entitlement to war service gratuities. I say that because I believe *there are a great many, even under the legislation as it stood before the passing of the order in council, who were not aware of the fact that they were entitled to war service 32283-41J

gratuities in respect of a husband or son who had been killed. I am hopeful that each branch of the service will communicate with such persons and advise them that they are in a position to make application, or that the department will turn their cases over to the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Mr. BENCE:

At the present strength of the R.C.A.F., how many are permanent force and how many non-permanent?