1. No.

2. Proposed discussions between officials of the United Kingdom and United States governments are to be held in Bermuda by agreement between the participating governments.

3. The government of Canada was not asked to take part in these discussions, which are solely between the United Kingdom and United States authorities. As stated on March 29, the government of Canada have asked, however, to be kept informed of the progress of the discussions, and are fully prepared to aid in seeking a cooperative solution to the problem.

4. Answered by 3.

[Mr. Ilsley.l

1. Have rural mail carriers been instructed that they must assist in salvage work as part of their regular duties?

2. If so, has the pay of these carriers been increased?

3. Is the method of granting contracts to rural

mail carriers still prevailing? .

4. Do rural mail carriers in Canada receive the same bonus as that given to other civil employees ?

5. If so, do the payments apply to all?

1. No. Rural mail contractors in Ontario and Quebec were invited to assist, as a patriotic duty, in the collection of scrap rubber for the war effort.

2. No.

3. Yes.

4 and 5. Due to the unforeseen increase in the cost of operation, a bonus of five per cent was granted to all mail contractors whose contracts were awarded on tenders dated on or before the 29th of April, 1941, in accordance with section 66 of the Post Office Act, or whose contracts involving an annual expenditure of less than $200 were made in accordance with section 73 of the Post Office Act at rates determined on or before the 29th of April, 1941, with the proviso that the increase shall only apply to payments made for work performed as from the 1st of August, 1941.

1. Since 16th of December, 1942, when wartime alcoholic beverages order P.C. 11374 was passed, what provincial governments have put rationing of beer, wine and spirits into effect?

2. At what date did any of the rationing orders put into effect by provincial governments become effective?

Mr. GIBSON:

The national revenue department has no specific information but understands that all provincial governments have put into effect some form of rationing.

1. (a) Three maple leaves proper, conjoined on one stem on a white field, (b) The union, in the canton next the staff, (c) Three gold fleur de lis on a blue ground within a circle.

Questions

1S33

2. The union jack is flown at all flag stations. The flag or pennon which is the subject of this inquiry is used by the commander of the first Canadian army to identify his headquarters. The two flags would not be flown jointly but both might frequently be flown at the same location.

Mr. PURDY:

Based on figures as at 31st March, 1943, what are the comparable returns to dairy farmers in Nova Scotia who produce dairy butter as against those who dispose of their cream to the creameries?

Mr. MacKINNON (Edmonton West):

Farmers in Nova Scotia reporting to the dominion bureau of statistics on prices received from the sale of farm products at the 15th of each month reported receiving an average of 36-9 cents per pound for farm-made butter and 48-7 cents per pound for butterfat including government subsidies at March 15, 1943. In making a comparison of farmers' returns, it is necessary to take into account the fact that when butterfat is churned into butter there is an "over-run" of 22 per cent, that is, one pound of butterfat will make 1-22 pounds of butter. Therefore, the farmer who manufactures the butter on his own farm and sells the dairy butter so made would receive 45-02 cents per pounds for the butterfat used. This figure of 45-02 cents per pound compares with 48-7 cents per pound received from the direct sale of butterfat to the creamery.

Mr. POULIOT:

What is the difference, if any, between the British empire and the British commonwealth of nations?

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

The answer is that the terms are used interchangeably.

1. Did Canada export metals in any form during the years 1941 and 1942?

2. If so, what metals and what quantities in each year?

1. Yes.

2. Owing to censorship regulations, this information is not available for publication.