1. What was the production of butter in the province of Quebec for the following years, 1945, 1946,

1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950?

2. What was the average retail price of butter at Montreal for the following years 1945, 1946, 1947,

1948, 1949 and 1950?

1. Butter Creamery

(Total Production) Butter lb. lb.

1945

96,294,000 88,061,0001946

93,395,000 85,355,0001947

105,654,000 97,371,0001948

106,833,000 96,783,0001949

102,039,000 93,623,0001950

96,567,000 87,820,000

2. Average Retail Price * of Creamery Butter at Montreal

Cents per Pound

1945 39-5

1946 43-8

1948 72-2

1949 64-7

1950 59-9

* Average of quotations at independent stores on the first business day of each month.

1. What is the weekly wage and salary payroll of the icebreakers (a) N. B. McLean; (b) Ernest Lapointe; (c) Saurel?

2. What is the estimated weekly upkeep, apart from payroll, of each of these vessels?

3. What is the estimated dollar value of weekly depreciation of each of these vessels?

4. What is the total amount represented by the above?

5. How many weeks has each of these vessels

been engaged on icebreaking operations on the St. Lawrence since January i, 1951? [DOT]

IMr. Fournier (Hull) .1

1. What federal government departments own and operate or have owned and operated cars and/or trucks in the province of Nova Scotia, during each year ended December 31, 1946 to 1950 inclusive?

2. What method or system is used in each department of government in purchasing either for cash or trade-in cars and/or trucks?

3. What are the particulars of all purchases, either for cash or trade-in, of all cars and/or trucks purchased in Nova Scotia, for each department of government, during each of the years ending December 31, 1946, to 1950 inclusive?

Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):

Before we rise for the Easter recess, will the Minister of Justice bring us up to date in the matter of negotiations with the provinces concerning old age pensions?

Hon. Stuart S. Garson (Minister of Justice):

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the hon. member for having given me oral notice of his question. I have not yet received a reply to my letter of February 28 from Premier Campbell. I received a reply from Premier Douglas approximately one hour ago. I should like to add that these facts have not prevented us from carefully considering all the points which have been raised by the other eight provincial premiers in their replies to my said letters. This we have done in order to put ourselves in a position to deal with this matter promptly as soon as we hear from Premier Campbell and give consideration to Premier Douglas' letter.

While I am on my feet, I should like to deal with a point which was raised by the member for Winnipeg North Centre (Mr. Knowles) on Monday last when this same question was mentioned.

The hon. member at that time stated that both Premier Campbell and Premier Douglas had answered favourably long ago. That, Mr. Speaker, is not correct. It is true that in reply to previous letters they had both written that they favoured the proposed old age pensions amendment, in principle. The points with which we are dealing here are whether there shall be a constitutional amendment authorizing federal old age pensions, and also with the form of that amendment; and also, of course, with the substance and form of an amendment relating to a three per cent provincial indirect retail sales tax. In this connection we are dealing not with only two provinces, but with ten.

In my letter of February 28 I was chiefly concerned with observations which a number of the provincial premiers had made with respect to both the form and the substance of these two draft amendments which the federal government had previously submitted to them. Four provincial premiers had objected to the form of the old age pensions amendment. In my letter of February 28, concerning which these questions have been asked, I did submit two new alternative drafts to take care of the objections which these four provincial premiers had raised, and also of course dealt with other matters.

The replies which we have been awaiting are as to whether Premier Douglas and Premier Campbell concur in our attempts to meet the views of these other provinces. Since we wish, if at all possible, to get unanimous agreement in this matter, there is no purpose in my writing another letter to all the provincial premiers, in a further attempt to secure agreement both as to substance and as to form, until I hear from all the provincial premiers in reply to my letter of February 28. Or, to put it another way, there is no purpose in commencing another stage of the work until we complete the present stage, and we cannot complete the present stage until we hear from all the provinces concerning it.

Mr. A. Earl Catherwood (Haldimand):

should like to ask a question of the Minister of Resources and Development. Having regard to the fact that provision has been made for a $300,000 building in Montreal, which rumour says is to be a national film board undertaking, will the minister comment on the report to the effect that the headquarters of the film board are being moved to Montreal?

Hon. Robert H. Winters (Minister of Resources and Development):

Mr. Speaker,

the film board is at present occupying, in whole or in part, eight buildings in Ottawa and three at Pendleton. In the interests of efficiency and economy, it is considered that steps should be taken toward consolidating the board's operations under one roof.

In this connection some thought has been given to a suitable location. Montreal is among the centres under consideration. Being a centre of bilingual culture, it has much to commend it. No site has been chosen, and no plans have been prepared. The amount

Inquiries of the Ministry in question in the estimates is for the purpose of obtaining a site and starting plans for a suitable building. I might add that this is a long-term plan and that no move is imminent.

Mr. Sinnoit:

Winnipeg would be a good place.