Hon. J. D. REID (Minister of Railways):

I lay on the Table three copies of the fifth annual report of the Canadian Northern Railway system and the annual report of the Canadian Government Merchant Marine. Other copies are being printed and probably to-morrow, or next day, one will be mailed to each member of the House. If further copies are required they will be available at the department.

Sir GEORGE FOSTER:

This question

has already been answered.

1. Yes.

2. From $3.25 to $3.50 per day.

3. The rate of pay has been regulated by the amount paid for similar work in commercial and business establishments.

4. A proposal to effect a further increase in the maximum daily allowance to both female and male stenographers, has been under consideration and it is expected an announcement in this connection will be made in the near future.

5. Answered by number 4.

1. Did any of the officials of the Department of Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment travel to Europe at the public expense during the years 1919 and 1920?

2. If so, what are their names and what positions do or did they occupy?

3. What was the reason for these trips?

4. What expenses for travelling and entertainment were charged to the department in each case?

1. Yes.

2. (a) It having been reported to the department that successful methods in the retraining of disabled soldiers had been adopted in England the introduction of which was being advocated in Canada, W. E. Segsworth, previously Director of Vocational Training and T. A. Stevenson, Assistant Director Information and Service Branch (who also represents the Trades and Labour Council of Canada with regard to the industrial retraining of ex-members of the Forces) were sent to England in April 1919, their instructions being to investigate the methods of industrial retraining applied in England; the relationship between organized labour and the Governmental agencies conducting such retraining, and the relationship between organized labour and ex-members of the Forces undergoing such retraining, particularly with respect to the permanent reabsorption of trainees into commercial or industrial life as civilians.

Mr. Segsworth was also appointed to proceed as the representative of the department to the Inter-Allied Conference at Rome which was convened for the purpose of discussing the problem of the rehabilitation of disabled soldiers. It was considered that advantage might be taken of methods which had proven successful in other countries. It was also the desire of those responsible for the conference that definite records of the work conducted by the department in Canada be made available to representatives of other countries confronted with similar problems.

The expenses of Messrs. Segsworth and Stevenson amounted to $3,603.36.

(b) For the purpose of negotiating arrangements whereby former members of the Imperial Forces resident in Canada (numbering about 50,000) would receive at the expense of the Imperial Government post war benefits administered by the Department of Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment, and whereby ex-members of the Canadian Forces resident in the United Kingdom (numbering about 20,000) would receive at the expense of the Canadian Government post war benefits made available in England by the Imperial .Government, E. H. Scammell, Assistant Deputy Minister, was instructed to proceed to England in May 1919. As a result of the arrangements he made ex-mem-

bers of the Forces in both countries now obtain benefits with greater convenience than would otherwise have been the case, and considerable savings have been effected in administrative expenses.

The expenses of Mir. E. H. Scammell amounted to $1,148.51.

(c) It having been represented to the department that owing to the heavy demands on the British Government in providing artificial limbs, orthopaedic boots and other orthopaedic appliances for former members of the Imperial Forces, discharged Canadian soldiers resident in the United Kingdom were not being furnished with such appliances as rapidly as might be desired, F. G. Robinson, Deputy Minister and R. W. Coult-hard, Director of Orthopaedic and Surgical Appliances, were sent to England in January, 1920, for the purpose of investigating the desirability of operating in England a Branch Orthopaedic Fitting Depot, similar to thosie operated by the department throughout Canada for the issue of artificial limbs, orthopaedic boots and other orthopaedic appliances. They were also instructed thoroughly to investigate the methods adapted by the British and French Governments in connection with the supply and maintenance of artificial limbs and the design thereof, so that advantage might be taken in Canada of any improved methods or designs not previously applied here.

The deputy minister was also instructed to negotiate with officials of the British Government certain adjustments relative to the administration of benefits to ex-members of the Forces by the British and Canadian Governments reciprocally, the desirability of which had arisen, as the work developed out of experience in applying under constantly varying conditions the general principles previously agreed upon. Mr. Robinson was further instructed to arrange with officials of the British Government the rates at which the Canadian Government would be reimbursed by the British Government for services rendered by the depaitment on their behalf to ex-members of the Imperial Forces resident in Canada; 'and to investigate the conditions under which ex-members of the Canadian Forces, resident in the United Kingdom, who have been disabled by war service, were receiving benefits through the British Government, and to make any necessary recommendations in this respect.

The expenses of Mr. F. G. Robinson and Major Coultbard amounted to $3,371.71.

3 and 4. Answered by No. 2.

Mr. CASGRAIN:

How much does it cost per mile to haul a car on the Canadian National railways?