Mr. James Sinclair (Coast-Capilano):

I

should like to ask the Minister of Fisheries a question connected with the Japanese fishing treaty. Is there any truth in the report by Mr. Elmore Philpott of the Vancouver Sun that Japanese fishing vessels are operating

Inquiries of the Ministry a hundred miles off the British Columbia coast and endangering the livelihood of British Columbia fishermen?

Hon. R. W. Mayhew (Minister of Fisheries):

I have seen that article in the Vancouver Sun. This morning I took the trouble to inquire through our office in British Columbia, which, in turn, got in touch with the weather ships off the coast, with B.C. packers and with our own patrol boats, and I am now assured there are no Japanese fishermen within one hundred miles of our shore line in the Pacific.

While I am on my feet may I repeat a statement I have made frequently, not only in this house but in other places, that Japanese nationals have never fished along the British Columbia coast. At one time they fished in Bristol bay for a matter of two days. Conditions were made rather unpleasant for them, with the result that they left Bristol bay, came down the coast, got supplies in Seattle and went back to Japan. But they did not fish. The statement attributed to Mr. Philpott is therefore untrue. There are no such fishermen on the coast today, and there have not been, up to date.

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

One

day last week the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Fisheries (Mr. MacNaught) promised a report on dragger and trawler operations in the coastal waters of Newfoundland. Has he that report?

Hon. R. W. Mayhew (Minister of Fisheries):

The departmental boat Eastern Explorer, with a mounted police officer on board, is patrolling that area. Our largest boat, the Cygnus, has also been on the ground, as well as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police boat. We have had no report from any of these boats that there is fishing within the three mile limit. I might say that in the past the French boats that have come over to fish on the Grand Banks have brought with them their own patrol vessels which have kept them outside the three mile limit. We are informed by the French embassy here that their boat will be in that area by the end of this week, and is probably there at the present moment.

Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask a question of

the Minister of Transport. Is it the minister's desire to replace all Canadian National rail passenger services in Prince Edward Island with bus services, except trains numbers 39 and 40 between Charlottetown and Borden, as announced by W. E. Robinson, vice-president and general manager of the Atlantic region of Canadian National Railways?

Hon. Lionel Chevrier (Minister of Transport):

I should think that a question of

that kind would demand some consideration. In any event the Minister of Transport would have no jurisdiction to replace passenger trains by automotive carriers. I presume what my hon. friend has in mind is the decision handed down by some board on Prince Edward Island having to do with the operation of motor carriers of Canadian National Railways. I shall inquire into the matter and give my hon. friend an answer later.

Mr. H. R. Argue (Assiniboia):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. Is the minister prepared to give sympathetic consideration to the request made yesterday by the three farmers unions that the domestic price of wheat be increased?

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

Mr. Speaker, is that a question of urgency? If you rule that it is, I shall be glad to deal with it.

Mr. Speaker:

I would not think that it is a question of urgency. I understand that a request was made yesterday by a delegation.

Mr. Howe:

It is a matter which has been under discussion for at least two years, and I dare say it can stand a little more discussion.

Mr. Argue:

No increase.