Mr. G. J. Mcllraiih (Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Trade and Commerce):

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of privilege. Yesterday's edition of the Ottawa Journal contains an article the headline of which reads as follows: M.P.'s' figure of $600,000 not enough". The article, which is rather lengthy, concerns the grant from the dominion government to the city of Ottawa, and contains this sentence:

Some time ago both George Mcllraith and Jean Richard, Liberal members for Ottawa, endorsed a grant of $600,000 yearly.

In so far as that statement refers to me, it is incorrect and without any foundation whatever in fact. At no time have I ever suggested or endorsed a figure of $600,000.

Mr. Graydon:

What figure did you endorse?

Mr. H. G. Archibald (Skeena):

Mr. Speaker, yesterday afternoon, on the first vote, I voted against the motion of the hon. member for Lambton West (Mr. Murphy), but my name was not recorded on the division list. Would it be possible to have my name recorded on that list?

Mr. Speaker:

The omission will be corrected. May I take this opportunity of saying that during the course of divisions there is often a great deal of noise in the chamber, which makes it difficult for the officers at the table properly to complete their records. I should like to take advantage of this occasion to ask hon. members to keep quiet while divisions are in progress, as an aid to the responsible officers in the carrying out of their duties.

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

Mr. Speaker, may I call your attention to the fact that question No. 37 on the order paper yesterday, standing in the name of the

member for Lake Centre (Mr. Diefenbaker), was first mentioned as answered; that was found to be erroneous and it was ordered to stand. Through some misunderstanding it has been dropped from the order paper today, and I would ask that it be reinstated.

Mr. J. H. Matthews (Kootenay East):

should like to direct a question to the Minister of Mines and Resources, a copy of which I sent to his office this morning. In view of the fact that the standing committee on mines and resources has not been called to meet for the last five years will the minister arrange for the calling together of this committee this year so that matters pertaining to this department may be discussed?

Hon. J. A. MacKinnon (Minister of Mines and Resources):

I shall give the matter consideration.

Mr. George A. Drew (Leader of the Opposition):

I should like to ask the Prime Minister when he intends to deal with the motion which he presented, having to do with the hours of sittings of the house.

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

I hope that it will be proper to deal with it tomorrow. I had hoped that it might be of consequence even before that. I still hope that it may become of consequence tomorrow.

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

I should like to inform the house that at the request of the Minister of Mines and Resources (Mr. MacKinnon) arrangements have been made to transfer the ministerial responsibility with respect to the trans-Canada highway project from his department to the department of the Minister of Reconstruction and Supply. This does not involve legislation, nor does it involve any formal action by the governor in council. The action has been

Questions

approved, however, by a minute of council. I am making the announcement to explain why any future matters or questions connected with that project will be dealt with by the Minister of Reconstruction and Supply.