Mr. ISNOR:

_ 1. What quantity of fuel oil was in storage in Nova Scotia on March 31, 1942?

2. What quantities have since been received between the period of April 1 and May 31, 1942?

3. What was the average monthly quantity of fuel oil in storage in Nova Scotia during the years 1939-40 and 1941?

4. What was the average monthly quantity of gasoline refined in Nova Scotia during the years 1939, 1940 and 1941?

5. What has been the monthly quantity of gasoline refined in Nova Scotia from January 1 to May 31?

6. Has the refining of gasoline been continuous (along same lines as years 1939-1940) since January 1 to May 31 of present year?

7. How many oil tank cars are owned by the railways operating in Canada?

Questions as Orders jor Returns

8. How many oil tank railway cars are owned by private companies in Canada?

9. How many oil tank cars have been used to transport gasoline to the maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island) from April 1 to May 31?

10. What total amount in gallons of gasoline was shipped from other points to the maritimes from April 1 to May 31, 1942?

11. What total amount in gallons of gasoline was shipped from other points to Nova Scotia from April 1 to May 31?

12. In view of the extra heavy special wartime demands being made on supplies of fuel oil and gasoline in Nova Scotia, are steps being taken for greater storage? If so, will such plans provide for sufficient fuel oil and gasoline to meet the present requirements?

Mr. HOWE:

Mr. Speaker, it is quite impossible to give the information asked for in this question. The first question is "What quantity of fuel oil was in storage in Nova Scotia on March 31, 1942?" I am sure Hitler would like to know the answer to that, also the quantities received between April 1 and May 31. I would ask that this question be dropped.

Mr. HANSON (York-Sunbury):

Not all

of it, surely.

Mr. HOWE:

Then let it be redrafted.

Mr. HANSON (York-Sunbury):

The minister may be quite correct as to the first question, but there are other questions on matters of great public importance to the province of Nova Scotia. I have no brief for the member who asks this question but I do know that this matter is agitating the minds of the people down there and that they believe they have not had a square deal. I have not followed up this hue and cry, as the minister knows. Instead I have tried to help him. But the plain fact is that the people just do not believe what the minister has been telling them. It may be an improper attitude for them to take. I am not going to pass judgment on that. But the people down there have been stirred up and they certainly should be reassured.

Mr. HOWE:

I am doing my best to operate the supplies of petroleum in the best interests of the war. I do not know that I am called upon to prove my position. I am not greatly worried whether people believe what I have said or not, so that we can leave that part of it out. I repeat however, that to make public the quantity of fuel oil storage at Halifax for the navy would not be in the public interest, nor would it be in the public interest to state what quantities have been 44561-231

received between April 1, and May 31, 1942.

I suggest that it is also not in the public interest to state the average monthly quantity of fuel oil in storage in Nova Scotia during the years 1939-40 and 1941.

Mr. HANSON (York-Sunbury):

Well, all right.

Mr. HOWE:

Surely hon. members know what is reasonable information to make public. I shall be glad to answer any questions other than those that concern storage and shipment of stocks of strategic materials.

Question dropped.

1. How many gasoline rationing books in categories higher than "A" were issued in, (a) Nova Scotia, (b) New Brunswick, as at 1st May, 1942?

2. What is the number in each category?

3. How many books in each province and in each category have now been recalled and lower categories issued in place thereof, and to what categories have these been reduced?

4. What are the occupations of those who have had their categories reduced and are their cars used for other than pleasure driving?

5. Is the Quebec-New Brunswick border the dividing line at which the value of the gasoline coupon is reduced from five to two gallons?

6. If so, will the Minister of Munitions and Supply explain why this demarkation point was decided upon?

7. Are all points in the five eastern provinces, where gasoline is conveyed to the distributing centre by means of small tankers and tank cars, on the same rations?

8. If not, why not?

Mr. HOWE:

Return tabled.

Mr. HOWE:

Return tabled.

Motions jor Papers,

Mr. CHUECH:

For a copy of the sylabus of training in the Royal Canadian Air Force at manning pool, Toronto, showing, (a) the length of time spent there by each recruit for air training, (b) the amount of time per day spent on fatigue and guard duties, and a copy of the rules and regulations relating thereto, (c) the number *who have spent, (i) over six months' time, (ii) over three months' time at this depot; (d) the regulations as to weekend leave and fines imposed.