Hon. NORMAN McL. ROGERS (Minister of National Defence) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 2, to amend the Naval Service Act.

Hon. NORMAN McL. ROGERS (Minister of National Defence) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 3, to amend the Militia Pension Act. He said: The purpose of this bill is to enable officers of the permanent naval forces to reckon for purposes of pension one-half of any former time served in the non-permanent naval forces, thereby placing these officers on the same basis as officers of the permanent military and air forces with respect to the inclusion of one-haif their previous service in the non-permanent military and air forces. Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

Hon. NORMAN McL. ROGERS (Minister of National Defence) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 4, to amend the Department of National Defence Act. He said: The purpose of this bill is to enable the administration of service estates to be effected under regulations made by the governor in council. Regulations in this regard have already been made under the War Measures Act, and, so long as that act is capable of being invoked, such regulations have the force of law. Of necessity these regulations may have to be continued in force and effect for some time after the War Measures Act is capable of being invoked, and, in consequence, some other statutory authority is required to enable the governor in council to make such regulations. Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

Hon. NORMAN McL. ROGERS (Minister of National Defence) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 5 respecting the Royal Canadian Air Force. He said: The Royal Canadian Air Force was constituted under the Aeronautics Act, which pertains rather to the regulation of aeronautics generally than to the constitution and maintenance of an armed force. The naval forces and the militia are each constituted under their respective acts, and it is considered advisable that like provision should be made for the air force. The present bill does not alter the existing constitution of the air force, and is in principle similar to . the Naval Service Act and the Militia Act, except that it omits a number of provisions contained in those two acts which are either not applicable to the air force or need not, having regard to the circumstances of the air force, be made applicable. Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

C.N.R.-Joint use oj Terminals

Right Hon. ERNEST LAPOINTE (Minister of Justice) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 6, to amend the Canada Evidence Act. He said: By a statute of 1938 amendments were made to the Canada Evidence Act having for their purpose the facilitating of evidence in certain matters; it was provided that an affidavit should be accepted as evidence without the necessity of hearing certain witnesses who might live a very long distance from the court. This amendment is for the purpose of making the first amendment easier of application, inasmuch as it will not be necessary to prove the official character of the person making the affidavit unless it is challenged. Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

Hon. JAMES A. MacKINNON (Minister of Trade and Commerce) moved for leave to introduce Bill No. 7, to amend the Canada Grain Act. He said: The purpose of this bill is to correct three inaccuracies that appear in the amending act of 1939.