Mr. LOW:

The experience of the past few years has shown that it has been a most satisfactory procedure to have the estimates referred to the committee. Printed reports come out from that committee, and we have the details of the investigations which have been conducted there. I believe the discussion in the house has been most helpful, and will make the sittings of that committee even more useful. I would certainly favour the estimates going to the committee again.

Mr. BRACKEN:

I think all the hon. member for Muskoka-Ontario wanted was to be assured that on a date later on, when the estimates come before the house, we shall have such discussion as we may want at that time.

Mr. MacNICOL:

Was it not the intention, when the suggestion was made, to send these estimates to the committee on external affairs, to avoid wasting time as has been done in the last four days?

Mr. COLDWELL:

Oh, no.

Mr. ST. LAURENT: I would not consider that the time of the house has been wasted in the last four days.

Mr. MacNICOL:

Largely wasted.

Mr. ST. LAURENT: I felt that members of all parties wished to have an opportunity to

discuss the general matters related to our external policy, and then that they would like to have the estimates before the committee, so that proper officials could be brought to that committee and they could be questioned directly. Detailed information required could be obtained in that way. Then the estimates would come back here, and anything any hon. member felt should be discussed on the floor of the house would be discussed at that time, having before us the information obtained in detail from the officials.

Mr. BRACKEN:

What is the business for tomorrow?

Mr. ST. LAURENT: Tomorrow I should like to take up the resolution mentioned last night dealing with the implementation of treaties of peace with Italy, Roumania, Hungary and Finland. Then I understand that the Minister of Reconstruction and Supply would like to proceed with his resolution dealing with housing.

Mr. HACKETT:

What item is that?

Mr. ST. LAURENT: Those are items 7 and 8 on the order paper for today. Then I believe the Minister of Justice would like to proceed with his bill to amend the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Act; and if that is disposed of, there is another small bill dealing with the administration of the penitentiaries.

Mr. KNOWLES:

In that order?

Mr. ST. LAURENT: I would anticipate that it would be in that order. Perhaps, after the first resolution in the name of the Secretary of State for External Affairs, we might revert to government notices of motion to deal with the resolution respecting the international agreement in connection with whaling. I would not anticipate that any of those would take much time.

Motion agreed to and the house adjourned at 11.10 p.m.

Wednesday, May 5, 1948