Mr. H. R. Argue (Assiniboia) moved

tor leave to introduce Bill No. 7, to amend the Canada Elections Act (age of voters).

Mr. Knowles:

Explain.

Mr. Argue:

The purpose of this bill is to amend the Canada Elections Act to reduce the eligible voting age from 21 to 18 years.

Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

Mr. H. R. Argue (Assiniboia) moved

for leave to introduce Bill No. 8, to amend the Interest Act.

Mr. Knowles:

Explain.

Mr. Argue:

The purpose of this bill is to place a limit of 12 per cent per annum on the interest, carrying and other charges that may be made by companies engaged in lending money, instalment sales, automobile financing or any other such financial transaction.

Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

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

for leave to introduce Bill No. 9, to amend the Canadian Wheat Board Act.

Explain.

Mr. Howe (Port Arthur):

The purpose of this bill is to extend the expiry date of the act by a further five years.

Motion agreed to and bill read the first time.

Mr. J. G. Diefenbaker (Leader of the Opposition):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Secretary of State for External Affairs in connection with a recent request made of parliamentary observers from Canada to the United Nations

assembly in being asked to sign a declaration to the effect that they would be bound by the Official Secrets Act or intimating the need for such a declaration being signed. I brought this matter to the attention of the minister the other day and he has looked into it. In view of all the circumstances I would ask him whether a decision has been made that the discretion of members of parliament, having regard to the oaths they take as members of parliament, is of itself sufficient to absolve them from being obliged to make such a declaration.

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

Mr. Speaker, as soon as I heard of the procedure which had been proposed at our delegation to bring to the attention of these members of the delegation, including members of parliament who had not taken an oath under the Official Secrets Act, the requirements of that act, I looked into the matter. It was also brought to my attention by my friend the Leader of the Opposition. I have written to him on the subject to the effect that while the intention of the officials concerned was, in my opinion, a laudable one so that members would know what were the requirements under the act, nevertheless the procedure which was adopted was, I think, regrettable as it might conceivably give rise to the impression that some limitation was being imposed on their freedom of action in the House of Commons when they returned from the delegation.

That, of course, has never been the intention of the government and I think the hon. members of the opposition party who have been at the United Nations assembly meetings will agree that there has been no suggestion that a limitation of that kind should be imposed on any member of the delegation. I think it is desirable that all members should be informed of the requirements of the act. However, the procedures adopted for this purpose were, as I have said, regrettable and I have given instructions that they should not be followed.