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

Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a statement to the house with respect to travel on the Alaska highway.

I am informed that requests for permission to 'travel along the military highway to Alaska are being received in considerable numbers by both the Canadian and United States authorities. Most of these requests come from persons who are actuated by an understandable curiosity or interest but who have no compelling reason for visiting the northwest at the present time.

There are at present no facilities along most of the highway for ordinary civilian traffic. For sleeping accommodation, for food, for gasoline and for repairs such travellers would have to rely on assistance from the military authorities. Every non-essential traveller who has to be assisted in such ways will detract by that- much from the primary work of the military authorities, the completion and operation of the highway for war purposes.

Under these circumstances we have agreed with the United States authorities that, until

further notice, no civilian traffic will be allowed on the Alaska highway except in the case of persons whose presence in the area will contribute to the prosecution of the war. It is contemplated that a joint control unit will be set up in Edmonton and will be given authority to issue permits to applicants who have legitimate reasons for wishing to travel on the highway. No civilian will be allowed on the highway without such a permit.

The arrangements which have been announced by which bona fide prospectors engaged in the search for oil or minerals of war value are allowed access to the area traversed by the highway will continue in force, and such prospectors will be granted permits to use the highway.

Mr. MacNICOL:

Does that apply to the Peace River-Providence highway?

Mr. MACKENZIE KING:

That I cannot say. What I have said applies to the Alaska highway.

Mr. MacNICOL:

I am informed that trucks are now being run from the Peace River on the round trip, so that the road must be in operation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I desire to table copies in English and French of a memorandum of agreement between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Government in Canada as to the financial arrangements applicable to personnel of the Royal Canadian Air Force serving with or in conjunction with the Royal Air Force, and to make a short summary and statement of the provisions of this agreement, which was signed in London this morning by the Hon. Vincent Massey on behalf of Canada and Sir Archibald Sinclair, the Secretary of State for Air, on behalf of the United Kingdom.

The provisions of this agreement provide for the termination of certain appendices of the memorandum of agreement dated June 5, 1942, between the governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, about the training of air crews in Canada and their subsequent service, and the present agreement shall be regarded as becoming effective from April 1, 1943. These matters were referred to in the speech from the throne and also in the announcement made by the Minister of Finance (Mr. Ilsley) on February 8.

Royal Canadian Air Force

The following is a summary of the agreement supplementing the Ottawa agreement of 1942:

1. Under the new agreement, Canada assumes financial responsibility for the following:

(a) Full cost of the 35 Canadian squadrons formed under the 1942 agreement. In addition Canada, will bear the cost, as formerly, of the 3 original Canadian squadrons, which were not related to the air training agreements.

(b) Full cost of certain ancillary units overseas, formed for the control, administration and maintenance of the Canadian squadrons.

(c) R.C.A.F. pay and dependents' allowances and cost of clothing for R.C.A.F. personnel attached to the R.A.F. and not serving in R.C.A.F. units.

(d) Pension benefits to the extent of the difference between R.C.A.F. and R.A.F. rates in respect of the personnel referred to at (c).

(e) The cost of transportation for all R.C.A.F. personnel to the United Kingdom and upon repatriation to Canada.

2. The new commitments entered into by Canada, by reason of the supplementary agreement, which previously were the responsibility of the United Kingdom government, are:

(a) In respect of the 35 squadrons and formations referred to at 1 (b) above

(i) R.A.F. rates of pay.

(ii) R.A.F. rates of pensions and noneffective benefits.

(iii) All other operating costs.

(iv) Capital costs.

(b) In respect of R.C.A.F. personnel serving in R.A.F. units and formations

(i) R.A.F. rates of pay.

(ii) Clothing of personnel.

(c) In respect of all R.C.A.F. personnel proceeding for duty with or in conjunction with the R.A.F.

(i) The costs of transportation to the United Kingdom and on repatriation.

Locations and Areas of Responsibility of R.C.A.F.

Base Accounts Offices and Liaison Accountant Officers Overseas 1. Base Accounts Offices

Office-Location Area of Responsibility

(a) United Kingdom Base Accounts Unit- London, England

(b) Middle East Base Accounts Office-Cairo, Egypt

(c) Far East Base Accounts Office-Bombay, India

J : i ' M

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United Kingdom, Iceland, The Faroes, Gibralter, Australia and New Zealand.

Middle East, Malta, Aden, Iraq, The Levant, West Africa, North Africa, South Africa and Southern Rhodesia.

India, Ceylon, Burma and China.

2. Accountant Liaison Officers

British West Africa-Freetown, Sierra Leone. North West Africa-Algiers, Algeria.

The total cost to Canada for the current fiscal year is estimated at $341,000,000.

Mr. CRUICKSHANK:

Does this tend to bring those Canadians who are serving in the R.A.F. into the R.C.A.F.?

Mr. POWER:

The Canadians who were enlisted in the R.CA.F. are provided for, but not Canadians who originally enlisted in the RA.F.

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

That the name of Mr. Fournier (Hull) replace that of Mr. Mackenzie (Vancouver Centre) on the standing committee on privileges and elections.

Mr. CHURCH:

When this resolution is taken up in committee will the minister make a statement of policy in connection with the diversion of the waters of the Ottawa river for hydro-electric purposes? Will all papers in connection with this agreement between Ontario and Quebec be tabled?

Mr. ST. LAURENT: Mr. Speaker, the government will supply all information it has in its possession as to the arrangement entered into between the governments of Ontario and Quebec for the development of the remaining water powers on the Ottawa river.