Hon. F. G. Bradley (Secretary of State) moved:

That the report of the civil service commission respecting a certain employee of the House of Commons, tabled on June 4, 1952, be approved.

1. Has any decision been made by the government to close the animal diseases research laboratory at Hull, Quebec?

2. If so, where will the work now being done at the Hull laboratory be carried on?

3. Has any offer been made to or discussions held with any officials of the government by any persons or organizations relative to the purchase of this property?

4. If so, when and by whom?

1. No. A reference to the fact that research work on foot-and-mouth disease has been transferred to an island in the St. Lawrence river, where some other highly contagious animal diseases are also under investigation, was evidently interpreted to mean that the Hull laboratory would be closed. This is not the case. Normal animal disease research work is continuing at the Hull laboratory.

2, 3 and 4. Answered by No. 1.

1. Has the postal department a committee of experts to advise in the selection of designs for postage stamps?

2. If so, who comprise this committee, what are their names and addresses and the respective dates on which each was appointed to the committee?

3. How often has the committee met within the past year?

4. Have the designs of all postage stamps issued in the past year been approved by such committee?

5. If not, who has approved the design of each postage stamp issued in the past year?

Mr. Cote (St. Jean-Iberville-Napierville):

1, 2, 3 and 4. See answer to No. 5.

5. Eight new postage stamp issues were released during the year. Of the eight issues, the following seven were approved by responsible departmental officials:

3-cent Prime Minister Robert L. Borden, commemorative issue.

4-cent Prime Minister W. L. Mackenzie King, commemorative issue.

4- cent postal centennial, commemorative issue.

5- cent postal centennial, commemorative issue.

7-cent postal centennial, commemorative issue.

15-cent postal centennial, commemorative issue.

4-cent royal visit, commemorative issue.

The eighth postage issue, the 20-cen "Forestry Products", ordinary issue, wa: recommended for artistic quality by a selee tion committee appointed in November, 1950 to review designs received as a result of at invitation issued to Canadian artists. Thi committee included the following:

Rt. Hon. Vincent Massey, P.C., C.H., Chair man; Professor Charles F. Comfort, R.C.A. Toronto; Professor Arthur Gladu, Montreal.

1. What reports have been received to date fron the dominion-provincial board, Fraser river basin appointed to study the question of flood control power development and irrigation, and relatec problems, on the Fraser river system?

2. What progress has been made to date in thi; study, and what is, in general, the present positioi with regard to the work of this board?

1. Have contracts been placed by any departmen of government, and in what amounts, since January 1, 1950, with Beach Industries Limited, Smith Falls, Ontario?

Inquiries of the Ministry

2. If so, is there a fair wage clause in the contracts, and what is the clause?

3. What are the prevailing wage rates in the

area?

4. What are the fair wage rates set for the area by the Department of Labour?