Mr. J. P. HOWDEN (St. Boniface):

Mr. Speaker, on January 29, I asked the Prime Minister (Mr. Bennett) the following question:

Mr. Speaker, is the government aware of the action taken recently by the medical profession of the city of Winnipeg with respect to medical services formerly afforded families on relief? If so, in the event of other means failing, will they intercede on behalf of these people and see that they are afforded proper medical services.

I received this answer from the Prime Minister:

Mr. Speaker, representatives of the medical profession met me in Ottawa some weeks ago, and later a communication was sent to them indicating that there was no reason to believe that the provinces would not discharge their constitutional duties with respect to the health of their citizens. That point has been stated and restated so often it is difficult to understand why a question should be asked with respect to it.

Recent conditions locally, particularly in the city of Winnipeg, indicate that the provincial government of Manitoba has declined to share any portion of the burden of medical attention to these families on relief. May I therefore restate my question to the Prime Minister and ask if the government is prepared to intercede on behalf of these people and see that they are given reasonable medical attention?

Right Hon. R. B. BENNETT (Prime Minister):

The federal government has no power to compel a provincial government to discharge its constitutional duties.

JMr. Speaker.!

Mr. W. T. LUCAS (Camrose) :

A Canadian Press dispatch in this morning's paper states:

Banking legislation occupied the Dominion government almost exclusively at a three hour session of cabinet council Saturday, and it is anticipated the bills to authorize establishment of a central bank, and to revise the Bank Act, will be brought into the House of Commons this week.

Several conferences between Prime Minister R. B. Bennett and Hon. E. N. Rhodes, Minister of Finance, and officials of the Canadian Bankers' Association have taken place in the past fortnight and the draft bill has been revised several times since it was printed.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Will the hon. member proceed to ask his question?

Mr. LUCAS:

That is all I wish to quote. I want to ask the Prime Minister, because I do not want to give a wrong interpretation to the article, is this Bank Act being revised and the legislation for a central bank being drafted to suit the bankers only or are other interests being considered?

Right Hon. R. B. BENNETT (Prime Minister):

If the hon. gentleman was as assiduous in the discharge of bis duties as in endeavouring to make unnecessary trouble it would 'be really better for this country.

Mr. OLOF HANSON (Skeena):

I have received telegrams and letters from the territory on the Canadian National railway between Prince Rupert and Jasper in regard to radio reception and interference. I took the matter up with the chairman of the radio commission, Mr. Charlesworth, and he referred me to the minister. The people out in that territory would like to have an inspector go over that section of the country and see for himself the difficulties and hear the grievances which the people have with respect to radio reception. The territory comprises 700 miles, and I think it would be well if an inspector were sent out to size up the situation for himself. There has never been an inspector over that territory, and I think it is about time one should go there.

Hon. ALFRED DURANLEAU (Minister of Marine):

In answer to the hon. member for Skeena I shall be pleased to look into the matter immediately, and if at all possible the nearest inspector will be sent out there to make a general survey of the whole situation.

Mr. HANSON (Skeena):

Thank you.

Questions

Hon. ROBERT WEIR (Minister of Agriculture) :

I think the hon. member realizes that that is a question for the provincial government.

Mr. GOTT:

It has not been a question for the provincial government in days long since past.