Mr. R. L. BORDEN (Halifax).

What progress has been made with the revision of the statutes and is it expected that the revision will be so far completed as to enable the law to be enacted by parliament next session ?

I am not quite sure that it will have progressed that far, but very substantial progress has been made. Over forty statutes have been completely revised and thirty-seven adopted. I expect that in December, more than one-third will be completed. I am not sure that the revision will be completed for next session but it will be in the Interval between next session and the session after.

Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).

I would like to ask my right hon. friend whether or not the contract with the North Atlantic Transportation Company has been laid on the Table ?

Not yet. There has been no formal contract, but correspondence which we have assumed to amount to a contract will be placed on the Table perhaps to-morrow.

Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).

The right hon. gentleman promised to make an announcement with respect to further government measures.

I shall make it to-morrow.

Mr. BORDEN (Halifax).

I would ask my right hon. friend the Prime Minister whether or not he has taken any steps to verify the accuracy of the alleged interview with Mr. Aylesworth, one of the commissioners on the Alaska boundary question.

I have not the telegraphic report at hand, but it contains rather extraordinary observations with regard to his duties as com-Hon. Mr. FIELDING. 1

missioner and also with regard to his views on matters now the subject of political controversy in the United Kingdom. It seems to me rather unusual, and I decline to believe that Mr. Aylesworth could have used the language attributed to him ; but inasmuch as the interview has been cabled cross the Atlantic-I am not sure whether by the New Canada Press Association or not-and has been commented on throughout the country to a considerable extent, it seems to me desirable that the government should ascertain whether or not it is accurate, and if not, inform the public and the country.

The government have taken no steps to ascertain whether this alleged interview has taken place or not. We assume that this interview had not the character attributed to it. Mr. Aylesworth is a counsel of very great eminence, and I would hestitate to believe-and I think my hon. friend would have equal hesitation-that he would have expressed any opinion on a matter which is sub-judiee and in which he himself is one of the judges. The language attributed to him is very improbable and until I hear to the contrary and have some better ground for believing that Mr. Aylesworth has so expressed himself, I shall believe that this interview, like many others, was not an expression of the views of Mr. Aylesworth.

1. Yes, to the Lake Superior Power Company.

2. An Order in Council was passed authorizing the taking of 25,000 tons per annum for a period of five years on terms therein stated. A contract was entered into for the first year for 25,000 tons. The company were not able to supply any rails under this contract.

3. Subsequently it was agreed that the company should supply 10,000 tons, but all that they were able to deliver were 5,768 tons.

4. The full quantities authorized were not taken because the company were unable to supply them. The government took all that were offered.

1. What system was followed by the government in selecting the members of the civil service who recently had the honour of receiving the Imperial Service decoration and medals ?

2. What are the names of the officials who have been recommended by the government, and on whom the decoration will be conferred ?