Mr. Gordon Graydon (Peel):

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a question of privilege. This is a day on which we observe a most happy occasion, the anniversary of St. Andrew's day, the patron saint of Scotland. We are thus 'enabled at the same time to pay tribute to those of Scottish birth and extraction who have contributed so greatly to making Canada the fine nation she is. I have pleasure at this time in presenting to one of Canada's most prominent sons of Scotland and a great Canadian citizen, the hon. member for Selkirk (Mr. Bryce), a replica of the Stone of Scone. '

Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, I am sure that all members of the house are happy to have had the hon. member for Peel express their sentiments to the hon. member for Selkirk and other distinguished Canadians of Scottish birth, not forgetting yourself.

Mr. William Bryce (Selkirk):

Mr. Speaker, having been a good Canadian for thirty-two years I do not see why the hon. member for Peel has singled me out for this honour, but I assure you that I am delighted to have had it. I hope none of these Scotland Yard fellows get after me. If I refused at this time to take something for nothing I would be going against the best traditions of the race to which I belong.

Mr. Gordon Graydon (Peel):

May I ask

the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to clear up the confusion which has been in the public mind with respect to the cease-fire orders which were alleged to have been issued in Korea? I am quite sure the house will be very glad to have any statement he can make.

Right Hon. L. S. St. Laurent (Prime Minister):

I am not sure that the statement I have here will clear up the confusion but I 94699-941 ' ij; U |:

have from our embassy in Washington the text of the statement made by General Van Fleet at the United States 8th army headquarters about this matter. It is in the following terms:

An incomplete digest of military directive has led to unfounded speculation regarding a ceasefire in Korea. Eighth army headquarters released a statement 28 November, 1951, wherein it was explicitly stated there is no cease-fire order in Korea. I don't know how I can be more emphatic on this matter than by reiterating this statement. Amplifying the original statement, I can say that certain military instructions were disseminated from this headquarters to corps and division levels. War correspondents' reports indicate that when these instructions were passed down to some lower command elements there was a distortion of meaning in the text of these instructions. Action is being taken to clarify these instructions for those officers and enlisted men who misinterpreted the directive. I am not at liberty to disclose the contents of the instructions which are related to future operations of the 8th army. I can definitely say, however, there is no mention made in the text ordering a cease-fire in Korea.

James A. Van Fleet, General, U.S.A.

Mr. J. A. Blanchette (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of National Defence):

should like to refer to the question asked by the hon. member for Vancouver-Quadra concerning former Surgeon Lieutenant Joseph C. Cyr. Ferdinand Waldo Demara entered the Royal Canadian Navy as a surgeon lieutenant under the name of Joseph C. Cyr, and as Joseph C. Cyr he was checked up to the maximum required for a lieutenant in the medical branch of the service. In addition, his credentials were authentic, and his general bearing and personality sufficient to merit the recommendation from the senior officers who convened to approve his appointment.

As Surgeon Lieutenant Joseph C. Cyr this officer conducted himself in all respects as a gentleman and officer, and at one period of his career he performed successfully duties over and above the normal requirements. Information is not to hand whether or not Ferdinand Waldo Demara is a qualified doctor. He has, however, been questioned extensively by others in the medical profession whose reports led us to believe that he had had all the necessary experience and

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Inquiries of the Ministry knowledge which a doctor would be required to have. This theoretical assumption is also borne out in practice.

His entry in the Royal Canadian Navy conformed with all the conditions of entry which were required on March 13, 1951. As the result of the allegations by the real Dr. Cyr, a check was made on "Joseph C. Cyr" who was appointed as surgeon lieutenant to H.M.C.S. Cayuga. This check was along the lines of a check which would be conducted on any officer for a higher classification than normal. The real identity has been established by a complete liaison with all civil authorities, and it has now been definitely ascertained that former Surgeon Lieutenant Joseph C. Cyr is in reality Ferdinand Waldo Demara, a citizen of the United States. As Ferdinand Waldo Demara he has been discharged on the 21st November, 1951, under the charge of misconduct-fraudulent entry. The Canadian immigration authorities have returned him to the United States.

Mr. McCusker:

I object to this statement. It is an insult to the medical profession. The doctors who examined this man and admitted him to the service should be examined themselves.

Mr. Green:

May I ask the parliamentary assistant whether there has been any change in the method by which doctors are now taken into the navy?

Mr. Blanchelie:

The matter of any change is being looked into.

Mr. Graydon:

May I ask my hon. friend if any certificates are required when a medical man enters the service of the navy?

Mr. Blanchette:

He had Joseph C. Cyr's medical certificates, not his own.