Mr. Howard C. Green (Vancouver-Quadra):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Transport. Apparently there is some

Inquiries of the Ministry question whether Canadian Pacific Air Lines will be able to continue flying the route from Vancouver to the Far East by way of the Aleutians, by reason of an air field in the Aleutians being closed. Can the minister tell us what the situation is, and whether the service will be discontinued?

Hon. Lionel Chevrier (Minister of Transport):

The Canadian authorities were informed by the United States government some time ago that the United States Air Force was contemplating withdrawal from maintenance of certain air bases in the Aleutians, since these were no longer considered necessary by the United States Air Force, and the expense of maintenance was extremely heavy. One of these, Shemya, has been used by both Canadian Pacific Air Lines, and a United States air line, Northwest Air Lines, on their service to the Orient. It is understood that United States civil aviation authorities do not consider it feasible to maintain Shemya purely for civil purposes, in view of the extremely heavy cost involved. Should Shemya no longer be available, it will probably be necessary for Canadian Pacific Air Lines to contemplate use of a mid-Paciflc route to Hong Kong and Tokyo by way of Honolulu, Midway, Wake and Guam.

The air transport board has already discussed this problem with the representatives of the United States civil aeronautics board and the United States state department, and it is expected that satisfactory arrangements can be made for use of this alternative route should the necessity arise, as seems likely.

Hon. Lionel Chevrier (Minister of Transport):

I should like to reply to a question which was asked by the senior member for Halifax (Mr. Isnor) in connection with a collision which took place in Halifax harbour some days ago. A preliminary inquiry took place following the collision between the Gertrude da Costa and the Island Connector in the harbour of Halifax. The master and ten members of the crew of the fishing vessel, the Gertrude da Costa, lost their lives as a result of the casualty. The loss occurred following a collision with the Island Connector, which was outbound. The fishing vessel was inbound from a fishing trip to the Newfoundland banks.

On account of the heavy loss of life it has been decided to hold a formal investigation under the provisions of the Canada

Shipping Act into the circumstances under which the casualty occurred. The Department of Justice has been requested to name a commissioner to hold the investigation, and everything possible will be done to open hearings at Halifax at the earliest convenient date.

Mr. Clarence Gillis (Cape Breton South):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of National Health and Welfare. Has the minister's department been informed of the destruction by fire of the mental hospital at Sydney, Nova Scotia, creating a very difficult problem in the housing of hundreds of patients in temporary quarters? If so, is there any immediate assistance that might be given to help solve the problem?

Hon. Paul Martin (Minister of National Health and Welfare):

I have been informed of the fire in question. As yet, however, no project has been suggested to us by the provincial government. Of course time has not permitted that to take place, but the matter will be followed closely in the light of the whole situation.

Mr. J. G. Diefenbalcer (Lake Centre):

should like to bring a matter to the attention of the Minister of National Revenue. On the 20th of March I asked whether the minister would produce the judgment of the income tax appeal board in the case of "Mr. C." and the Minister of National Revenue. I asked whether he would consider tabling the evidence and the reasons for judgment in that order of the appeal board. I now ask the minister whether he has given consideration to that request, and whether, in addition to delivering the judgment, he will table the evidence.

Hon. J. J. McCann (Minister of National Revenue):

I understand that it is not the practice to table court judgments in this house. In this case, however, the judgment and the evidence are available under the statute setting up the income tax appeal board.

I have handed to the hon. member for Lake Centre a copy of the reasons for judgment and of the minutes of judgment in this particular case. So far as the evidence is concerned,.

that is not public or available because at the request of the appellant the case was heard in camera.