Mr. VINCENT DUPUIS (Chambly-Rou-ville):

I should like to direct a question to the Prime Minister. In closing the debate on bill No. SO on July 7, 1942, the Prime Minister declared, as reported at page 4014 and following of Hansard of 1942, that before enforcing the decision of the administration to send recruits overseas, he intended to give hon. members an opportunity of showing their confidence or want of confidence in the government. I would like to know from him if since that time anything has occurred which in his mind would relieve him of his responsibility to parliament before enforcing the cabinet's decision upon this very important question.

Mr. SPEAKER:

This is a question of which notice should be given.

Right Hon. W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister):

The hon. member asks if anything has occurred to cause me to change my mind with respect to an important statement I made last year to the house. I would answer at once that nothing has.

Mr. J. A. ROSS (Souris):

I wish to direct a question to the Minister of National Defence. (Mr. Ralston) based upon a report in the Toronto Daily Star of February 25, 1943, in connection with the inquest conducted in the case of the death of a private in the Canadian army. Chief coroner Dr. Smirle Lawson is reported to have said:

Private John Ileency Somerville came to his death on January 29, 1943, in Stanley Barracks

from lobar pneumonia and we place the blame on the medical officers in charge, who did not examine the patient sufficiently to determine the serious illness.

Order.

Mr. SPEAKER:

I think that this question should not be answered on the orders of the day. It should be placed on the order paper.

Mr. ROSS (Souris):

It is a serious matter.

Mr. GORDON GRAYDON (Leader of the Opposition):

May I interject a remark with respect to that? I realize that it may not be possible for Your Honour to allow a great multiplicity of questions at the opening hour of each session, but it does seem to me that not enough leniency is allowed to some private members with respect to questions of this kind. This is a matter of considerable importance to the central part of Canada, indeed to all of Canada. I think Your Honour might extend a little indulgence in respect of questions of this nature.

Mr. SPEAKER:

I should be very glad to allow leniency where there is a degree of urgency in a question to which a reply may be required within an hour or so. But the question the hon. member is asking would involve at least some research on the part of the department concerned, and the department should be given an opportunity of full inquiry before making reply. I would ask the house to realize that with respect to any question which has a degree of urgency, making an immediate reply necessary, on the orders of the day I shall always be prepared to extend considerable leniency; but where a question involves research and a full reply it should certainly be placed on the order paper. The question now under discussion, so far as I heard it from the hon. gentleman, is not one to which an answer to-day is essential for the hon. member's purpose: it should be placed on the order paper and he will get his answer in due course and in sufficient time.

Mr. GRAYDON:

There is a good deal of feeling among some hon. members with respect to the issue I have just raised. Many of these questions and these answers are buried in Hansard or as orders for returns, and it is very difficult to get to the public the matters which are so important and which our duties as members require us to bring up. I do not think there should be any objection at least to the hon. member reading his question; it could then stand as a notice to the minister whose department is involved, and who in any event is not in his seat this afternoon, and it can be answered afterwards.

Farm Labour Programme

Mr. SPEAKER:

I would just point out that the remarks of the leader of the opposition bear out what I have just said. As the minister is not in his place the answer cannot be given to-day. The same publicity is obtained by giving notice of motion or having the question placed on the order paper. .

Mr. ROSS (Souris):

May I complete the question, so that it may stand as notice?

Mr. SPEAKER:

Since the hon. meitiber has gone so far, he might as well complete the question.

Mr. ROSS (Souris):

Will the minister or someone on his behalf advise the house if the matter has been investigated by his department, and what steps have been taken or will be taken to stop this type of neglect in the Canadian army?

Hon. C. G. POWER (Minister of National Defence for Air):

The only objection I would make is that there is an assertion in the hon. member's question that there was neglect, and I am afraid I cannot tell my hon. friend whether or not there was neglect.

Mr. ROSS (Souris):

The coroner's report is here.