Rt. Hon. Sir GEORGE POSTER:

The minister has made a statement which is before the House, and I think it would be advisable, seeing the different renderings which have been given it so far, that members should have the answer before them and see exactly what it is, so that they may not be led into making mistakes as to its iiderpvetation. The Government has made its statement in reference to the policy; it

is there and speaks for itself. At the opportune time the Government is quite ready to tal e up the question and debate it with hon. gentlemen on the other side.

Mr. DEVLIN:

I want to how right away to the suggestion of my right hon. friend, inasmuch as that suggestion helps out the Government; hut we are representing the people here, and we intend to have the people's rights respected.

Oh, oh.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Order. The rule is well established in this House: That there can be no debate on this subject at the present stage because there is nothing before the House. I am sure the House will agree with me that I have been quite lenient in not preventing the putting of questions. I hope there will be no further attempt at debate under the disguise of an interrogation.

Mr. DEVLIN:

This is the question I would like to ask the minister: " Did the Prime Minister, upon a certain occasion in or near the city of Ottawa, make the statement that the Government would follow the advice of the Admiralty in forming a naval policy for Canada?" I speak of the occasion when Lord Jellicoe made a statement of the needs-

Order, order.

Mr. DEVLIN:

It is perfectly in order; I am giving the circumstances to remind the minister.

Mr. BUREAU:

Just to refresh his

memory.

Mr. DEVLIN:

I am simply refreshing the memory of the Government.

Mr. BALLANTYNE:

I submit that that is a proper question for the hon. member to place upon the Order Paper.

Mr. LAPOINTE:

The policy is to have no policy.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Order.

Mr. JOSEPH ARCHAMBAULT (Chambly-Vereheres) (translation):

Mr. Speaker, I am very glad to see the hon. the Overseas Minister of Militia back in his seat, he having returned safe and sound from the exterior belt of the war, where he had remained for five years.

Last year, I put two questions, the one of which had reference to the profits of the

military canteens of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, and the other dealt about the damages relating to the Kimmel Camp riots.

The hon. member for Hamilton, who was then Minister of Militia, told me that he would cable the Overseas Minister for an answer. I do not know whether the answer has arrived, but as I do not see the Overseas Minister in his seat, I would like the. hon. member to answer those questions.

I wish to say, in answer to my hon. friend the member for Chambly-Vercheres, that I got some information with respect to the three questions which he put the other day: As for the Siberian Force, all the documents are ready to be brought down, and as far as the Sainted Anne-de-Bellevue military hospital is concerned, the papers are under preparation and will be brought down within a few days. I may say, with reference to the Grand Trunk shareholders' list, that information must be obtained from London; it is being sought just at present, and is expected from day to day.

Mr. ARCHAMBAULT (translation):

Mr. Speaker, I have congratulated the acting prime minister yesterday on the progress he had made in the French language. May he allow me to say, however, that he has not quite understood the remarks which I have just submitted. His answer has reference to three questions which I have put yesterday or the day before. When I rose, this afternoon, I put questions quite different from those, and if my hon. friend will allow me, I shall now put them in English.

I stated in French that I was very glad to see the hon. the Overseas Minister of Militia (Sir Edward Kemp) back in his seat. Last year I put some questions to the hon. member for Hamilton (Mr. Mew-burn), who was then Minister of Militia, with reference to the profits of the military canteens of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces and also in relation to the damages at Camp Kimmel. My hon. friend answered me that he was going to cable overseas and get the information. As the cable was probably sent, as I have no answer ydt, and as the Overseas Minister of Militia is in his seat now, I would like him to answer this question.

Sir EDWARD KEMP (Overseas Minister oif Militia):

Replying to my hon. friend (Mr. Archamfoault), !l may say that there is a question on the Order Paper which covers the information that he wants. The ques-

tion was called to-day, but the answer is not ready, lit will be ready at the next sitting of the House. The question is so wide that it covers not only the information that my hon. friend desires', tout other information dealing with the same subject. I think he coupled with the statement he made the expression of a desire for certain information regarding some canteen fund that has reference to Canada. Ilf so, that information would not be in the answer; it will have to be added by the Department of Militia and Defence.