1. Why are Bank of Canada notes, old or new, all dated January 2, 1937?

2. What is the amount of money and credit in circulation in Canada at present? What is the proportion of currency to bank credit?

3. On what gold value is the Canadian monetary unit secured at present (a) in Canada; (b) outside of Canada?

1. The date of January 2, 1937, on the current issue of Bank of Canada notes is the date on which these notes, the form and material of which was approved by the minister in accordance with the provisions of section 24(4) of the Bank of Canada Act, were first put into circulation. This issue succeeded notes of another design issued and dated in 1935, and which were withdrawn from circulation.

2. (a) As at March 31, 1948, Canadian currency in circulation (excluding currency held as till money by the banks) amounted to $1,098 million and active money supply, including currency, to $3,933 million.

"Active money supply" is the aggregate of the following, excluding deposits of the Canadian government, inactive notice deposits, deposits of chartered banks with Bank of Canada and cheques deposited by payees not yet cleared against the accounts of the drawers:

(1) Canadian deposits of the chartered banks plus

(2) Canadian deposits with Bank of Canada plus

(3) Canadian currency in circulation apart from that held by the banks as till money.

(b) The ratio of currency in circulation to the total of (1) and (2) above was 38-7 per cent.

3. (a) and (b) It is not clear what is meant by these questions. However, pursuant to an order in council passed under the Bretton Woods Agreements Act, 1945, the governor in council fixed the par value of the Canadian dollar for the purposes of the agreements at

one United States dollar of the weight and fineness in effect on July 1, 1944. As of that date, the United States dollar had a par value of 15%i grains of gold, A fine.

Mr. ASHBY:

How many individuals were employed in the federal Department of Agriculture (all branches), on January 1, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1948?

Mr. GARDINER:

Employees

Classified

Jan. 1,1912.. .. 718

Jan. 1,1920.. .. 1,125

Jan. 1,1930.. .. 2,079

Jan. 1,1940.. .. 3,458

Jan. 1,1948.. .. 3,984

Prevailing rates No record available No record available No record available 582 1,337

Note: Figures for 1910 are not available; first record available is for the year 1912.

1. Have any babies been exported from Canada during the past five years to foreign countries for adoption there?

2. If so, how many (by provinces), (a) male; (b) female, and on whose recommendations and to what countries?

3. Were exit permits issued and by what department?

4. What supervision is there over babies that have been exported?

1. What were the number of deaths in Canada during 1947 from (a) diseases of the heart; (b) cancer and malignant tumours; (c) nephritis; (d) diseases peculiar to the first year of life; (e) pneumonia; (f) tuberculosis?

2. Has the government taken any steps to reduce the number of deaths from heart disease?

1. Has the wartime prices and trade board offices in Kingston?

2. If so, how many persons are now employed there?

3. Where are these offices located?

Inquiries oj the Ministry

4. Has the lease expired or when does it expire?

5. What rent do they pay?

6. How long have they occupied these premises?

7. Are any arrangements being made for them to occupy new premises? If so, where and what rent do they intend to pay?

Mr. CAMPBELL:

For a copy of all correspondence exchanged between any individual or group or provincial government and any minister, department or official of the federal government, during the past two years, having to do with the export of babies to foreign countries.

Mr. GIBSON (Hamilton West):

Mr. Speaker, I suggest that this motion should be passed subject to the usual reservation, that the consent of provinces must be received before filing correspondence.

Mr. SPEAKER:

Carried, subject to the reservation made by the minister.