Mr. M. J. Coldwell (Roselown-Biggar):

wish to direct a question to the Minister of Reconstruction and Supply. On Wednesday last, answers were tabled to a question I had asked about unemployment and public works. Part 3 of the question-it is reported at page 818 of Hansard-was as follows:

What is the estimated number of workers who could be employed on such projects within (a) one month; (b) six months; (c) one year?

The minister gave the estimated number who could be employed at the site itself as 17,000 skilled and unskilled workers in six months, and only 5,000 in one year. Since the second figure is so much smaller than the first, I should like to ask the minister if it was a typographical error, or if the government's program actually calls for fewer jobs in one year than in six months, which I cannot believe.

Hon. Robert H. Winters (Minister of Reconstruction and Supply):

I wish to thank the hon. member for giving me notice of his question. The figures in part 3(a) of the answer were compiled for statistical purposes on the basis that all contracts would be let at the same time, but in actual practice it is expected that they will be staggered or spaced as the economy requires.

On the orders of the day:

Mr. M. J. Coldwell (Roselown-Biggar):

The

Minister of Reconstruction and Supply has been out of the chamber; I thought he was returning to his seat, and I wanted to ask a supplementary question. I shall put the question now, in any event. I have totalled the figures given in answer to my question about unemployment, and I get this result: skilled workers, 14,500; unskilled, 10,000; off-the-site, 15,700, totalling 40,200. This figure seems to be wrong, having in mind the statement attributed to the Minister of Fisheries (Mr. Mayhew) at Vancouver. The minister is reported to have said there were 50,000 unemployed in the Vancouver area alone.

Righl Hon. C. D. Howe (Minister of Trade and Commerce): There is something wrong with the answer.

Mr. G. K. Fraser (Peterborough West):

On

February 11, as reported at page 470 of Hansard, I asked a question of the Secretary of State for External Affairs, and he promised to give a further answer. Is the minister ready to do so today?

Hon. L. B. Pearson (Secretary of State for External Affairs):

Mr. Donald M. Fleming (Eglinton):

I wish to direct a question either to the Prime Minister or to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. In view of the statement made by the premier of Prince Edward Island in the legislature of that province the night before last, and reported in the press, that if Canada so desires she may have free trade with the United States, will the minister indicate whether there is any foundation for this statement, and whether the government is making any move in that direction?

Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister):

I would not be in a position to say whether there is any foundation for it. There is no foundation known to me.

Mr. T. L. Church (Broadview):

I wanted to direct a question to the Minister of Agriculture, but I do not see him in his seat at the moment. I notice that the premier of Prince Edward Island made an announcement a day or so ago in Charlottetown to the effect that

[Mr. Pearson.)

after the next election we would have complete free trade with the United States. I wonder if the minister is prepared to make a statement on this point.

Right Hon. J. G. Gardiner (Minister of Agriculture):

He will have my support on it.

Mr. Church:

Free trade with the United States would make a Lazarus out of the country that Laurier professed to have made a nation.