Mr. J. H. Blackmore (Lethbridge):

I should like to ask a question of the Minister of Trade and Commerce. Considering the heavy losses to western farmers through the wet year of 1951, and the foot-and-mouth disease experience, will the minister tell the house what measures the government contemplates for enabling those farmers to obtain credit for operations in 1952?

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

Let me say at once that I know of no heavy losses among farmers in connection with the current crop. The current crop is the largest ever grown in western Canada; and I think when the harvest is finished it will have been found to be the most profitable crop ever grown in western Canada.

In the second place, the losses from foot-and-mouth disease are being compensated for by separate legislation.

In the third place, the credit provisions made available to farmers for 1951-52 have been availed of only to the extent of about one-twentieth of the total credit for which provision was made. It is my conclusion that no provisions of the kind suggested in the hon. member's question are either necessary or desirable.

Mr. G. F. Higgins (St. John's East):

I wish to ask a question of the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Fisheries. Is convertibility of sterling being arranged for the 1952 production of Newfoundland salt codfish? Will there be deficiency payments to the Newfoundland fishermen for the year 1951?

Mr. J. Watson MacNaughi (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Fisheries):

The

hon. member for St. John's East has asked two questions, the first of which relates to the convertibility of sterling for the purchase of the 1952 production of salt codfish. I can tell the hon. member that arrangements for the sale of the 1952 Newfoundland salted fish production to European markets are at present being made. The position will be clarified well in advance of the new marketing season.

The hon. member's second question has to do with deficiency payments to the Newfoundland fishermen for the year 1951. In respect to this question I can tell the hon. gentleman that the prices already received by Newfoundland fishermen for their 1951 salt fish production are above those of the previous year. Meanwhile the market remains very buoyant and the product is moving most satisfactorily. However, final returns from these export sales cannot be known by the trade for some time yet. We have no reason to assume that no further settlements between merchants and fishermen will be made as a result of the current export sales. Until these developments and ultimate facts are known, the question of deficiency payments is premature. Meanwhile the fisheries prices support board is making a constant review of these developments.

Mr. R. O. Campney (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of National Defence):

On

Monday last the hon. member for Kent (Mr. Huffman) asked two questions with reference to an aircraft firing range on Lake Erie, which I should like now to answer. His first question was:

Has agreement between the Canadian Department of National Defence and the war department of the United States in establishing a firing range for jet and other types of planes using live ammunition on lake Erie been concluded?

The answer is: Yes. Such an agreement was entered into by an exchange of notes between the two countries in October last and runs until December 31, 1952, when it may or may not be renewed by mutual consent.

The second question was:

Why was all the area established north of the international boundary, as indicated by a plan in the London Free Press under date of March 15?

As a matter of fact the area depicted by the London Free Press is not accurate, but the whole area of the firing range is on the Canadian side of the international boundary. It was so arranged in order that complete jurisdiction and control might rest with one country, in this case Canada. The area is well clear of the shore line, and adequate safety precautions will govern its use so that the safety of persons and property outside the area will be in no way endangered.

Hon. L. B. Pearson (Secretary of State for External Affairs):

The other day the hon.

Inquiries of the Ministry member for Peel (Mr. Graydon) asked a question, in regard to ratification of the Japanese peace treaty, which I might answer now. Ratification of the treaty has been completed and the instrument deposited on behalf of the United Kingdom and Japan. Parliamentary action in regard to ratification has been completed in Australia and Ceylon. Parliamentary action has begun but not been completed in the United States, New Zealand, The Netherlands and France.