Mr. JOHN BRACKEN (Leader of the Opposition):

Nearly a week ago I directed a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce with respect to the situation which is developing in the marketing of Canadian apples. The question was raised again two days ago. The minister indicated that he was not sure whether it fell within the jurisdiction of his department, and I understood that he undertook to bring it to the attention of his colleagues and that he would make a [DOT] statement. May I ask today that the Prime Minister give consideration to that matter. It is simply this. A statement has been issued that the British government will not this year be buying Canadian apples as in the past, and it leaves a serious situation facing the fruit growers. My question was: Has the government considered the matter yet, and has it any statement to make with regard to that problem?

Right Hon, W. L. MACKENZIE KING (Prime Minister): There is no statement to

make at the moment, but I hope to have some minister reply to my hon. friend in the course of the next week.

Old Age Pensions

Mr. D. KING HAZEN (St. John-Albert):

I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Transport (Mr. Chevrier) or, in his absence, to some other minister of the crown. Is the amount of grain in the port of Montreal from the lakehead inadequate to supply cargoes to a large number of ships waiting there to load grain? If so, has any action been taken to remedy this situation?

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

As acting minister I will make inquiries, but the facts speak for themselves. There are ships waiting for grain. Every effort is being made to expedite the movement of grain from the lakehead to Montreal.

Mr. CHURCH:

Would it not be possible now, in view of the fact that for two years, a study has been made of the question by a select committee on Indians and Eskimos, to allow the various acts to be amended in order to give the Indians and Eskimos a pension under this statute notwithstanding the Indian Act?

Mr. MARTIN:

Perhaps we could deal with that when we come to section 8, which is the relevant section of the bill.

Mr. CHURCH:

I understand that these people are not citizens. My point was whether it would be advisable now, and might effect an economy, if they were declared to be citizens in order to qualify under this act and for treatment in hospitals, and so on. Otherwise there is little hope that anything will be done this session. Will the minister consider it?

Mr. MARTIN:

Yes.

Mr. LOW:

I should like to say just a word about the means test part of the bill.

Mr. MARTIN:

Could we not deal with that when we come to the relevant section?

Mr. LOW:

I was going to ask the minister where he would prefer to have me say something about it. It does not matter to me whether it is now or later.

Mr. MARTIN:

That would come under section 4, which deals with the income limits.

Mr. LOW:

As long as it is understood that I shall have a chance to say something about it, that is all right.

Mr. MARTIN:

Quite.

Mr. FLEMING:

A substantial revision of the regulations under the old act was recently carried out. Is it proposed that there shall be a revision of these regulations under the new act?

Mr. MARTIN:

May we deal with that when we come to section 9? The answer is yes, but that comes under section 9 of the bill.