Mr. Gardiner:

That is the question which is being considered when we get the summary reports.

HOUSING [DOT]

Mr. George H. Hees (Broadview):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Resources and Development. In view of the announcement of a new government housing policy, made last night in a Toronto speech by the hon. member for Parkdale (Mr. Hunter), will the minister acquaint the members of this house of this new policy?

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

Mr. Speaker, I know of no such new policy.

Mr. Fraser:

That puts the hon. member for Parkdale on the spot.

Mr. Noseworthy:

I should like to ask two supplementary questions of the Minister of Resources and Development, arising out of the one asked by the hon. member for Broadview. First, has the minister's attention been directed to the article referred to? Second, did the hon. member for Parkdale have any authority for speaking with such assurance of a new government policy?

Mr. Winters:

I am well aware of the importance the hon. member for Parkdale attaches to the matter of housing, especially in Toronto. He has spoken to me about it on a number of occasions. I presume he was speaking in Toronto last night in his capacity as a private citizen.

Inquiries of the Ministry

Mr. M. J. Coldwell (Roseiown-Biggar):

wish to direct a question to the Minister of National Health and Welfare. Is it the intention of the government to seek to place on the agenda of the federal-provincial conference, which has been called for tomorrow, an item which will permit discussion of pensions for handicapped or incapacitated Canadians?

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

Mr. Speaker, the hon. gentleman gave me notice of his question, and I would answer it by pointing out that the continuing committee of the federal-provincial conference which is meeting tomorrow in these buildings derives its terms of reference from the agreement reached with the provincial governments in December, as stated in the following terms by the Prime Minister (Mr. St. Laurent) at the conclusion of that conference:

That a continuing committee should be set up to consider the character of legislation which would be appropriate respecting persons between the ages of sixty-five and sixty-nine and to what groups thereof and under what conditions it should be made applicable in each province.

Mr. Coldwell:

This government is not seeking any change in the agenda in order to discuss this matter?

Mr. Martin:

As I pointed out, this is a conference which has been called as a result of an agreement with the provinces, and the provinces and the dominion have agreed as to terms of reference and as to the agenda of the conference.

Mr. Coldwell:

The answer is no.

Mr. J. J. Smith (Moose Mountain):

I should like to direct a question to the Prime Minister. I have not sent him notice of my question, but I think it is an urgent one. Having regard to the extent of the progress that has been made in this house over the last few weeks, can the Prime Minister say when the government will give us the opportunity to sit in the forenoons and, if necessary, on Wednesday nights, so that we shall be able to complete the work and get out of here at least by the end of June?

Hear, hear.

Inquiries of the Ministry