Hon. Douglas Abbott (Minister of Finance):

Yes; I saw the newspaper report in question, and at once had inquiries made as to what the circumstances were. I have received a report from the secretary of the wartime prices and trade board, which, as the house is aware, is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the rental regulations. The Mrs. Ellis-Reid referred to in the newspaper article, who resides at 264 Gladstone avenue, Ottawa, was charged under the wartime leasehold regulations with renting one unit of housing accommodation which had a basic date rental of $10 per month at $15.40 per month, an increase of some fifty per cent, and another unit which had a basic date rental of $14 per month, which was increased to $17 per month. Both properties are located in Shawville.

Leave to prosecute was issued on February 10 last, and the Department of Justice appointed Mr. J. O. Laflamme to act for the board. Mr. Ste. Marie, of Hull, counsel for Mrs. Ellis-Reid, requested two adjournments, which were granted, and on May 17 the case came to trial. At the outset of the proceedings Mr. Ste. Marie asked to toe relieved of his duties, and this was granted by His Honour Judge Millar. Mrs. Ellis-Reid handled her own case and pleaded not guilty to both charges. At the conclusion the court found her guilty on both charges and sentenced her to a fine of $5 and costs or eight days on each charge.

Mr. Diefenbaker:

What were the costs?

Mr. Abbott:

They have not yet been determined. I am coming to that later. In a telephone conversation with Mr. Lemire, the clerk of the court, the secretary of the wartime prices and trade board was advised that Mrs. Ellis-Reid definitely refused to pay the fine and costs and emphasized that the lawyer was crooked, that the judge was crooked and that she only had $8 in the bank. At this point, Mr. Lemire, the clerk of the court, offered to consult with the judge with a view to granting time within which to pay the fine and costs. However, Mrs. Ellis-Reid definitely declared that she would never pay one dime to the court. Mr. Lemire advised her that the only alternative was to serve sixteen days in jail, and Mrs. Ellis-Reid said that was what she intended to do. She was imprisoned on May 17, and was released upon serving fourteen days in jail, two days apparently having been allowed for good behaviour.

I am informed by the enforcement counsel of the board that he has had several telephone conversations with Mrs. Ellis-Reid, and that she is an extremely difficult person to deal with.

As to the question of costs, the board has not received a final report from its counsel, owing to the fact that he is waiting for an account from the clerk of the court covering court costs in this prosecution. Since the alternate jail term was served by Mrs. Ellis-Reid, the board of course will be liable for such costs as are assessed by the court.

Mr. Diefenbaker:

The minister says he

has not the information as to the costs. I ask him to table the record of the conviction and the evidence in these cases, as well as the judgment; because my information is that the costs were $196.

Mr. Abbott:

I am told the costs were high, but I have not that figure as yet. As to the tabling of the record of the conviction and the evidence, if that is in accordance with the rules of the house I shall be glad to do so.

Mr. Clarence Gillis (Cape Breton South):

should like to direct a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. Has the minister's department reached any decision on the matter of expanding the Eastern Passage defence airport to accommodate larger aircraft? Has the question of a new airport for the Halifax area been discussed? If so, has any decision been arrived at?

Right Hon. C. D. Howe (Minister of Trade and Commerce):

I suggest that question

should be directed to my colleague, the Minister of Transport (Mr. Chevrier).

Mr. Lionel Chevrier (Minister of Transport):

If the hon. member for Cape Breton South is referring to the Dartmouth airport-I am not sure from the wording of the question handed to me by my colleague-that is a matter which would necessarily come under the Department of National Defence, and I would not be able to answer the first question. With reference to the second question, whether or not a new airport for the Halifax area has been discussed, I can say to him that no recent discussions have taken place.

Hon. Lionel Chevrier (Minister of Transport):

Mr. Speaker, on Friday last the hon. member for St. John's West (Mr. Browne) asked whether any consideration had been given to placing the employees of the Newfoundland hotel, St. John's, Newfoundland, on the same rates of wages as those paid in other Canadian National Railway operated hotels; if so, when will the new rates come into effect, and will they be retroactive to October 1, 1949. The answer is that if and when the Newfoundland hotel is entrusted to the Canadian National Railways, negotiations will be entered into with the authorized representatives of the employees of the Newfoundland hotel for the purpose of reaching an agreement as to wages and working conditions.

Mr. Browne (St. John's West):

Who is in

charge of the hotel at the present time if not the Canadian National Railways?

Mr. Chevrier:

Negotiations are being

carried on between the government of Newfoundland and the federal government through Canadian National Railway officials. Until those negotiations are completed it will be impossible to deal with the matter referred to by my hon. friend.

Mr. Browne (St. John's West):

That is not the question I asked the minister. I asked him who is in charge of the hotel at the present time.

Mr. Chevrier:

I cannot answer in any

other way than to say that the government of Newfoundland has asked the government of Canada to take it over, and the government of Canada is negotiating with the government of Newfoundland through Canadian National Railways.

Inquiries of the Ministry