Mr. Courtemanche:
For a copy of all payrolls and a statement of materials purchased in connection with the repairs to the wharf of St. Charles de Caplan, county of Bonaventure, Quebec, during 1947, 1948 and 1949.
Mr. Courtemanche:
For a copy of all payrolls and a statement of materials purchased in connection with the work done by the Department of Public Works between January 1 and May 1, 1950, on the protection or wharf facilities in the vicinity of the Henri Leblanc property, otherwise known as the Manoir St. Charles, at St. Charles de Caplan, Bonaventure county, Quebec.
55946-209J
Motions for Papers
Mr. Courtemanche:
For a copy of the specifications used in connection with the work performed on the wharf at Paspebiac, county of Bonaventure, Quebec, during the fall of 1949.
Mr. Hatfield:
For a copy of all letters, correspondence, maps, and other documents, from January 1, 1949, to date, exchanged between the dominion government and the province of New Brunswick dealing with the trans-Canada highway.
Mr. Prudham:
There is no objection to
providing these papers, subject only to approval by the province of New Brunswick.
Mr. Speaker:
Carried, subject to the reservation made by the parliamentary assistant.
Right Hon. C. D. Howe (Minister of Trade and Commerce) moved
that the house go into committee at the next sitting to consider the following resolution:
That it is expedient to present a bill, cited as the Defence Supplies Act, to empower the Minister of Trade and Commerce to buy or otherwise acquire and deal with defence supplies; construct or otherwise acquire, projects; acquire, store and otherwise deal with material entering into the manufacture of defence supplies or the development, repair or maintenance of projects; arrange for the performance of commercial and professional services; require priority in delivery or construction and to require persons who have received offers, fair and reasonable in his opinion, for supplies, projects or services, to meet the requirements subject to an appeal to the exchequer court on the question of price; also to empower the minister to buy or otherwise acquire defence supplies and construct or carry out projects required by the Department of National Defence; also to empower the governor in council to appoint assistants to the minister and advisers and advisory boards and to fix their remuneration and expenses; with provision also for the approval by the governor in council of contracts except in emergent cases and where the sum involved does not exceed a certain specified amount.
He said: His Excellency the Governor
General, having been made acquainted with the subject matter of this resolution, recommends it to the consideration of the house.
Motion agreed to.
Right Hon. C. D. Howe (Minister of Trade and Commerce) moved
that the house go into committee to consider the following resolution:
That it is expedient to bring in a measure to provide for the operation and maintenance of a
3302 HOUSE OF
Official Residence for Prime Minister residence for the Prime Minister of Canada, out of moneys appropriated by parliament for such purposes.
He said: His Excellency the Governor General, having been made acquainted with the subject matter of this resolution, recommends it to the consideration of the house.
The resolution and the bill to be based thereon refer to a matter which I am sure hon. members would wish to discuss in the absence of the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent). If I can obtain the unanimous approval of the house I would suggest that the resolution be passed now and the bill moved on to second reading, which would permit the distribution of the bill. Then perhaps the bill could be considered at three o'clock this afternoon. I understand that the leaders of the opposition parties have seen the bill and perhaps they may be in a position to agree that second reading take place later this day. However, I am entirely in the hands of the house.
Mr. Graydon:
Are you trying to surprise the Prime Minister?
Mr. Coldwell:
When will the Prime Minister be back?
Mr. Howe:
Tomorrow morning.
Mr. Coldwell:
I am quite prepared to accede to any reasonable request made by the government with respect to this measure, but I suggest that any indication that it is being rushed through might be misunderstood. I rather think what should be done is to pass the resolution and let hon. members see the bill before it is proceeded with.