1. What is the total amount of money received by Colonel James Arthurs, M.P., Parry Sound, as pay and expenses from the Department of Militia and Defence, while on service both in Canada and overseas?

2. On what date did he sever his connection with the Department of Militia and Defence?

3. Since severing his connection has he received payment of any further sums from the Department of Militia and Defence?

4. If so, how much, and for what service?

Major-General MEWBURN:

1, 2, 3 and 4. The whole of this information is not available in Canada, but a cable has been sent overseas for the necessary information.

Mr. BUREAU:

How many Orders in Council have been passed under the War Measures Act?

Hon. A. K. MACLEAN (Acting Minister of Customs and Inland Revenue):

This Bill was before Committee of the Whole some few days ago when very substantial amendments were proposed. In some respects the Bill is contentious, and requests have been made by many persons in regard to certain of its provisions. It is very desirable, I think, that these persons be heard, and the most convenient way of so doing is to refer the Bill to a special committee. I move, with the unanimous consent of the House:

That Order 21 he struck from the Order Paper and that Bill No. 53 he referred to a special committee consisting of Messrs. Beland, Oopp, Cowan, Douglas (Cape Breton South and Richmond), Long, McMaster, Manion, Nesbitt, Pedlow, Sheard, Stevens and Sutherland, with power to call for persons, paipers and records, to examine witnesses under oath, and to report from time to time.

Hon. H. S. BELAND (Beauce):

At this late stage of the session it is very unlikely that the special committee which is now proposed will have time to sit, and hear evidence and report. I do not know what procedure could be suggested in lieu of what is now contemplated, but it is obvious there will not be time now for a special committee to consider this Bill in all its details and report, and then for opportunity to be afforded for a thorough consideration of the measure by the House.

il would suggest that we further consider the Bill in Committee of the Whole. No doubt the hon. minister has had a number of interviews since the Bill was considered in 'Committee, and he might be in a position to suggest some amendments. I believe that would be the proper course to adopt, otherwise it means that the law will remain as it is to-day.

Hon. Mr. MiAQLEAN: I have had many requests from hon. gentlemen to appoint this Committee. I think if the Committee when properly constituted fixes one day for the hearing, that will be sufficient. There is no reason as far as I can see why the Committee should not report the Bill promptly.

Mr. GAUVREAU:

L hope it will be a

lesson to the Government to introduce Bills of this importance in the House of Commons instead of in the Senate.

Mr. SPEAKER:

This motion can only

be entertained by unanimous consent. Do I understand the hon. member for Beauce (Mr. Beland) to object?

Mr. BELAND:

No, I do not object. I

understand that the Committee will have power to summon witnesses before it to give evidence. That in itself will require more than one sitting.

Mr. A. K. MACLEAN:

The Committee

need not exercise that power. Motions of this kind invariably contain those words. The power is there in the event of the Committee desiring to call any one before it, but I do not think there will be any necessity to exercise the power.

Mr. PETER MoQIBRON (Muskoka): May we have the assurance of the hon. minister that the Bill will reappear this session?

Mr. A. K. MACLEAN:

I see no reason why i't should not. I have every desire to expedite the Bill.