1. Has there been an increase within the last three months in railway passenger rates to the Pacific coast?

2. If so, what was the amount of such increase?

3. Was it approved by the government or any board, agency, controller or other authority appointed by, or under the government?

1. Yes. Passenger fares from eastern Canada by Canadian Lines to Pacific coast points were on a lower than normal basis to meet the competition of the combination on the United States frontier plus the lower

fares through the United States. The portion of these fares via United States routes which was charged within the United States was increased by order of the United States interstate commerce commission resulting in higher fares via the United States' routes than the lower rates available via Canadian routes. This situation affected not only fares from eastern Canadian points but also fares from many eastern United States points and the United States Lines insisted that the Canadian fares must be advanced to the level made effective within the United States; otherwise United States lines would be obliged to eliminate the Canadian Lines routings from their tariffs which would eliminate United States travel through Canada and have a very serious effect on the Canadian economy.

2. The amount by which individual fares were increased varies with the point of origin. Specimen of the one-way and round trip fares which were in force on the 19th January, 1943, and on the 20th January, 1943, showing the increase in dollars and the percentage increase in each case is attached.

3. Yes. The increase was approved by the Board of Transport Commissioners for Canada and its decision was concurred in by the wartime prices and trade board.

1. What amount has been paid out by the commodity stabilization board to date since it was organized?

2. On what commodities and what amount was paid out on each commodity?

Mr. KNOWLES:

What commodities are used to arrive at the base for the cost-of-living index which is used in computing the amount of the cost-of-living bonus?

Mr. MacKINNON (Edmonton West):

Return tabled.

1. Was there any flax seed from which linseed oil and feed products is manufactured exported from Canada in, (a) the month of January, 1943, (b) the month of February, 1943?

2. If so, how much was exported in each month ?

3. Was there any flax processing plant in Canada idle at any time from January 1, 1943, to March 15, 1943, because of lack of flax seed?

4. If so, for what period or periods was any such plant or plants so idle and what was the name and location of any such plant or plants?

5. What wras the reason for such lack of flax seed?

6. What is the estimated total amount of flax seed in Canada?

7. Has the government received representations to the effect that there is a demand for the oil cake and other feed products derived from the processing of flax seed, for live stock purposes?

8. Is there a shortage of oil cake and other feed products produced from the processing of flax seed, for the purpose of feeding live stock?

1. What are the working hours per day of the guards at, (a) Kingston penitentiary, (b) St. Vincent de Paul penitentiary?

2. What are the names of the permanent guards at St. Vincent de Paul penitentiary?

3. How long have such permanent guards been employed?

4. Do guards at St. Vincent de Paul penitentiary work on religious and legal holidays?

Mr. M. J. COLDWELL (Rosetown-Biggar):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Munitions and Supply or the Minister of Finance. I have sent a copy of the question to the Minister of Munitions and Supply. The papers to-day contain a synopsis of certain agreements relating to the exploitation of Canadian iron ores by the Steep Rock Mines Limited. Will the minister table any agreements made to provide subventions on the transportation of the ore or relating to financial commitments to the company or railways in connection with the provision of transportation facilities, and so forth?

Hon. C. D. HOWE (Minister of Munitions and Supply):

Mr. Speaker, the provisions in question were contained in an order in council and published in the Canada Gazette, which is a public document, but I shall be glad to find them and table them at the next sitting.