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

I understand that a large number of members of the house wish to give further consideration to the matter involved in the motion, debate on which was adjourned yesterday. I therefore ask that the motion stand.

Motion stands.

Mr. Rodney Adamson (York West):

I should like to direct a question to the Secretary of State for External Affairs. Unfortunately 1 have not sent him a copy of it, but he will probably be able to answer it. Is the government negotiating with the government of the United States for a new treaty of extradition? Can the government say whether the principle of dual criminality will remain a part of the treaty?

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

I am unable to answer that question without notice. I shall look into the matter and give the hon. gentleman an answer tomorrow or the next day.

Mr. Donald M. Fleming (Eglinlon):

My

question would ordinarily be addressed to the Minister of Labour, but in his absence will the Prime Minister indicate whether it is the intention of the government to introduce a bill during the present session, similar to that introduced in the 1948 session, to revise or amend the Government Annuities Act?

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

The matter is still under consideration, and no decision has yet been reached.

Mr. Ronald Moore (Churchill):

I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Labour, or to his parliamentary assistant. Notice was sent to the minister, but I do not know whether the parliamentary assistant has received it. What action does the Department of Labour intend to take to protect tradesmen and other workers from being put out of work by the use of large numbers of displaced persons? This question is raised on behalf of trades and labour councils at the following points: Windsor, Fort William, and Flin Flon.

Mr. Speaker:

Order. The hon. member knows that if he wishes to put a question before the orders of the day are called, it should be brief.

Mr. Paul E. Cote (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour):

1 wish to thank the hon. member for having given notice of his question. In answer I wish to state that the Department of Labour, and the immigration branch of the Department of Mines and Resources, have already taken every precaution to protect Canadian tradesmen and other workers from being displaced by immigrants. In the case of workers who are related to people already in Canada, the Canadian relative is required to sponsor the immigrant, to provide housing, and to undertake that he or she will not become a public charge and, if he or she is a worker, that employment is available.

In the case of persons brought in under the group labour plan, it is first of all ascertained that there are no local people available to fill the vacancies, and the employer who applies is required to guarantee at least twelve months' continuous employment.

All applications are reviewed by an interdepartmental committee on which there is a

Inquiries of the Ministry representative of the national employment service, and if there are people in Canada already available the application is not approved. No workers have been brought to Canada since November 1, 1948, other than those sponsored by persons already in Canada, and who have a relationship with them; and a number of girls for domestic service. Of course, workers' dependents have been coming forward.

The Department of Labour is watching the situation closely, and reports from the national employment offices have in no way indicated that new arrivals are displacing persons already in Canada.