Mr. CASGRAIN:

Was Mr. Adrien Ratte of Ste. Anne de Beaupre in the county of Montmorency .appointed census enumerator in the neighbouring municipality from where he resides?

Questions

Mr. STEVENS:

1 The area for which Mr. Adrien Ratte was appointed as census enumerator is described as follows: "Arrondissement de

votation No. 5-(Riviere aux Chiens)-com-prend toute la partie ouest de la paroisse de Ste-Anne de Beaupre, a partir de chez M. Alphonse Boucher sur la cote et de M. Ernest Pare (Etienne) en bag de la cote inclusive-ment jusqu'a la limite ouest de la paroisse Ste-Anne de Beaupre."

The above is a part of the parish of St. Ann.

Mr. POULIOT:

Are the plans and specifications for Canadian National Railways' constructions approved by the board of directors of the Canadian National Railways before or after they are submitted to the Minister of Railways and Canals for approval, and before or after tenders for same are called for?

Mr. MANION:

The Department of Railways and Canals deals only with proposed capital expenditures on the original Canadian government railway portion of the Canadian National Railway system. Plans and specifications are not forwarded to the department for approval. Proposed contracts are forwarded for consideration of the department after they have been recommended by the board of directors or by the executive committee of the board of directors.

Mr. POULIOT:

What date was set for the completion of the proposed new station building at Riviere du Loup, as specified in the instructions for tendering?

Mr. MANION:

February 28, 1931.

1. Who was the acting minister in charge of

the Department of Railways and Canals after the minister had left for Fort Churchill on October 1st and before the right hon. member for Argenteuil (Sir George Perley) was appointed Acting Minister of Railways and Canals by P.C. 2349, approved by the deputy of His Excellency the Governor General on October 7, 1930? .

2. Was that acting minister appointed by order in council ?

3. If so, what was the P.C. number and the date of such order in council?

1. Sir George Perley as Acting Prime Minister.

2. Prime Minister or Acting Prime Minister may act for any minister at any time during absence of said minister

3. Order in council not required.

1. Did the Minister of Railways and Canals give instructions before leaving for Fort Churchill on October 1st, regarding the tenders received by the department on October 4th and relating to the building of a station at Riviere du Loup?

2. If so, at what dates and what were such instructions ?

1. No; the matter was still before council when Minister of Railways and Canals left for Churchill.

2. Answered by No. 1.

1. Is any government-owned equipment being used by the contractors or others in the performance of contract work on the Fraser river?

2. If so, is any charge being made for the use of government-owned machinery or equipment to the contractors or sub-contractors?

1. No.

2. Answered by No. 1.

relief EXPENDITURE IN MONTREAL

1. What sum of money has been spent in the city of Montreal by the federal government out of the twenty million dollars voted at the special session of 1930: (a) on works as a relief for unemployment; (b) as direct assistance?

2. What corresponding sums have been spent for the same purposes: (a) by the government of the province of Quebec; (b) by the municipal administration of Montreal?

3. What is the actual number of unemployed in the city of Montreal?

4. How many w'orkingmen are at present employed: (a) by the harbour commission at Montreal; (b) as longshoremen in the harbour; (c) in any other capacity in same?

Mr. BENNETT:

With respect to question No. 2, it would be very difficult for this government to secure any information that would be nearly as accurate as that which the hon. gentleman could obtain for himself, being a representative of one of the Montreal constituencies. It is no part of the duties of the government to write letters to various people and ask for information that any hon. gentleman can himself obtain. The question will not be answered, unless there is some other view.