Mr. Thatcher:

How many persons were employed by the Department of National Revenue in checking on and investigating farmers' income tax in (a) Saskatchewan; (b) Manitoba; (c) Alberta; (d) Quebec, on March 1, last?

Mr. McCann:

The number of persons employed by the taxation division, Department of National Revenue, as at March 1, 1950, in checking and investigating farmers' income tax returns, in the four provinces mentioned in the question, are as follows:

(a) Saskatchewan, 54; (b) Manitoba, 32;

(c) Alberta, 52; (d) Quebec, 25; total, 163.

Mr. Diefenbaker:

In the opinions given by Mr. J. J. Kelly, K.C., Winnipeg and Mr. T. N. Phelan, K.C., Toronto, did either or both recommend proceedings to be taken against the alleged milling combines under either the Combines Investigation Act or the Criminal Code?

Mr. Garson:

What is sought by this question is the disclosure of legal opinions recommending that proceedings should or should not be taken against the alleged flour milling combine. The question is inadmissible as it seeks information about matters which are in their nature confidential. Advice given to the crown by law officers and legal advisers falls in this category. Legal opinions given for the guidance of ministers should not be produced. The reason is of the same order as the rule that applies in the case of private individuals, namely, that legal opinions are confidential.

See Bourinot, page 250; May, fourteenth edition, page 337; Beauchesne's Parliamentary Rules and Forms, third edition, page 119 (see rules 295 and 310); second edition (1947) Introduction to the Procedure of the House of Commons, by Sir Gilbert Campion, page 151; Phipson on Evidence, eighth edition, page 188.

1. Were tenders recently invited by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for studio equipment for television?

2. If so, what are the names and addresses of those who drew up the specifications?

3. Were public tenders advertised? If so, in what manner?

4. What was the closing date of tenders, and where were they received?

5. What are the names and addresses of those submitting tenders, and the amount of each tender?

6. What are the names and addresses of those whose tenders were accepted?

7. When is it expected that television, through the C.B.C., will be available to the public?

1. Yes.

2. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

3. No.

4. March 27, at the CBC offices, Montreal.

5. Canadian General Electric Co., Toronto, Ont.; Canadian Marconi Co. Ltd., Montreal,

Questions

P.Q.; Federal Electric Manufacturing Co. Ltd., Montreal, P.Q.; Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Co. Ltd., Chelmsford, England, through Canadian Marconi Co. Ltd., Montreal; Pye Limited, Cambridge, England, through Pye Canada Limited, Ajax, Ontario; RCA Victor Company Ltd., Montreal; Electric & Musical Industries Ltd., Hayes, Middlesex, England, was asked to make submissions, but none were received.

Amounts quoted are confidential.

6. No decisions have been made.

7. 1951.

1. By whom was the survey of the state of planning of government projects, federal, provincial, and municipal, referred to by the Prime Minister on February 20, 1950, made?

2. When was this survey made, on what date were the results thereof reported, and to whom?

3. What were the main findings of this survey?

4. Do any of these findings relate specifically to the "shelf concept?" If so, what are the terms thereof?

5. Are the detailed results of this survey available to members of parliament? If so, how may they be obtained?

1. By the economic research and development branch, Department of Trade and Commerce, with co-operation of the Department of Reconstruction and Supply.

2. From April to September, 1949. The results were summarized in the annual report of the Department of Reconstruction and Supply for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1949, page 506, tabled in parliament on November 14, 1949.

3. The main findings are included in the report referred to in the answer to No. 2.

4. Details of survey not a matter of public information.

5. Answered by No. 4.

1. What is the present strength, officers and men

respectively, in Newfoundland, of (a) Royal Canadian Navy: (b) Royal Canadian Air Force; (c)

Canadian army?

2. What reserve units of the said units are in N ewfoundland?

3. What are the respective strengths of the reserve units?

1. Officers Men Total(a) R.C.N. . . .

3 8 11(b) R.C.A.F. .

22 291 313(c) Army . . . . . .. . 9 43 52

Questions

2. The following reserve units are in the process of organization:

(a) R. C. N.-Naval Division-H. M. C. S. "Cabot".

(b) R.C.A.F.-Organization of a reserve flight is under consideration.

(c) Army-R.C.A. 166 (Nfld.) Regiment.

3. R.C.E. 56 Indep. Fd. Sqn.; R.C.I.C. Royal Nfld. Regiment.

Officers Men U.N.T.D. Total(a) R.C.N 11 20 26 57(b) R.C.A.F. . . - - - ' (c) Army

3 40 - 43