Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):

May I direct to the Prime Minister a supplementary question with respect to United States foreign policy. Will the government give consideration to arranging for an early debate in the house on foreign affairs?

Mr. St. Laurent:

Mr. Speaker, I understand that my colleague, the leader of the house, intends to move some time tomorrow to go into supply. That will be an opportunity for there being at least some preliminary discussion of matters of that kind. I know that the Secretary of State for External Affairs (Mr. Pearson) is very anxious that the house do go into committee of supply so that his estimates may be called and so that he may make a statement on external affairs before he is required to return to New York for the continuation of the sessions of the United Nations.

Mr. F. S. Follwell (Hastings South):

I

would like to direct a question to the Minister of Finance (Mr. Abbott) of which I have already given him notice. In view of the many inquiries by coin collectors, will the minister advise the house whether the Royal Canadian Mint intends to issue special coins to commemorate the coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Inquiries of the Ministry

If so, what will be the denominations of the special coins so issued?

Hon. Douglas Abbott (Minister of Finance):

Mr. Speaker, it is not the intention of Canada to issue special coins to commemorate the coronation. As the house is aware, new coins bearing the effigy of Her Majesty have just appeared within the last two or three weeks. There are no plans for a further special commemorative issue.

Mr. G. R. Pearkes (Nanaimo):

May I

direct a question to the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Fisheries (Mr. MacNaught) to whom I have sent notice.

Will the minister extend the herring season in the lower east coast area of Vancouver island beyond the closure date of February 5, so that new orders from Formosa for salted herring may be filled? I understand that the orders cannot be filled without extension of the season?

Mr. J. Waison MacNaught (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Fisheries):

wish to thank the hon. member for Nanaimo (Mr. Pearkes) for having given me notice of his intention to ask this question. Since discussing the matter with him on Saturday morning many telegrams have arrived in the department regarding extension of the herring season.

The scientists attached to the Pacific biological staff of the fisheries research board of Canada have been asked to carry out an investigation to ascertain whether the conservation of herring will in any way be affected by extension of the closing date beyond February 5. When their report is received a decision will be made and announced.

Mr. E. D. Fulton (Kamloops):

I should like to ask the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (Mr. Harris) a question based on a C.B.C. news dispatch and a dispatch in the press to which I referred the minister in telephone conversation this morning. I should like to ask if the minister is able to say whether any conversations have taken place between the West German government and Canadian representatives regarding the

[Mr. Follwell.l

admission to Canada of refugees from East Germany. If so, what is the position taken by the Canadian government?

Hon. W. E. Harris (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration):

Mr. Speaker, as the hon. member knows, we are accepting immigrants from Germany in accordance with the policy which has been explained to the house on many occasions. I have no doubt that for that purpose conversations are going on at all times or at various times between the government of West Germany and our offices abroad. However, I noticed the comment in the press to which he referred me and all I can say about it is that we have had no communication of that kind in Ottawa, although there may have been a particular approach by the government of West Germany about which we will hear in due course. When we receive word about it, we will study it, having in mind the policy laid down, and having in mind the needs of the Canadian people for immigration.

Mr. Rodney Adamson (York West):

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a question of the Minister of National Revenue (Mr. McCann) of which I have not been able to give him notice.

Was the character called "Mr. M.P." on last night's broadcast on the city of Ottawa in which the mayor of the city of Ottawa took part actually a member of this house? If so, was he advised of the ridicule he was to be subjected to by the other speakers on the panel?

Hon. J. J. McCann (Minister of National Revenue):

Mr. Speaker, I have no knowledge of the incident but I will take the hon. gentleman's question as notice.