Right Hon. C. D. HOWE (Minister of Trade and Commerce):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to make a statement that will be of interest to the producers of oats and barley. During the current crop season support prices for both oats and barley are in effect and the government intends to extend these to July 31, 1949, at the same support levels prevailing this crop year. Oats will continue to be supported at levels based on 611 cents for No. 1 feed oats, in store Fort William-Port Arthur, with other grades at appropriate differentials to be fixed from time to time by the wheat board. Barley will also be supported at 90 cents per bushel for No. 1 feed barley, in store Fort William-Port Arthur, with other grades at appropriate differentials to be fixed from time to time by the wheat board.

The purpose in making this announcement at this time is to enable producers of oats and barley to plan their operations for the coming crop year with the assurance that market prices will not decline below the support levels. As in the present crop year, the Canadian wheat board will be directed to implement this policy.

On the orders of the day:

Mr. J. G. DIEFENBAKER (Lake Centre):

May I ask a question arising out of the announcement just made by the minister? Is it intended to make that order retroactive to August 1, 1947, so that farmers who disposed of their oats and barley between August 1, 1947, and October 21, 1947, will be compensated for the loss they suffered?

Mr. HOWE:

I can advise my hon. friend that the same support prices that were in effect for the period he mentions are the support prices to be put into effect for next year. The same support prices covered all the crop year of 1947, and will cover the crop year 1948.

[Later]:

Mr. DIEFENBAKER:

May I ask a supplementary question? What is the stand taken

by the government in regard to providing compensation for farmers who sold oats and barley prior to October 21?

Mr. HOWE:

It is my understanding that the firms who bought barley in that period are in process of refunding to the farmers the fortuitous profits that arose out of the lifting of the ceiling. When these payments have been completed the government intends to review the situation and take such action as the circumstances may warrant.

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

The house will recall tha't the day I was requested to communicate with the British authorities about reconsidering their decision not to allow publication of 'ertain telegrams in the Hong Kong matter, I ^ent a message immediately. I have since received a reply from the British authorities saying that they have reviewed their decision carefully but regret that they are unable to change the decision which they previously made.

Mr. J. A. ROSS (Souris):

I should like to direct a question to the Prime Minister. As Good Friday falls on March 26, three weeks from next Friday, will the Prime Minister say whether there are any plans yet for the Easter recess of the House of Commons?

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

The intention of the government is to ask for an adjournment on the afternoon of Wednesday the 24th at six o'clock until the following Tuesday, the 30th. That will be a short recess.