Mr. Michael Starr (Ontario):

Mr. Speaker, I would like to address a question to the Minister of Finance. Would the minister give his opinion on the resolution passed by the British Columbia car dealers, as reported in the Toronto Daily Star of January 22, to refuse to accept any more 1957 model cars from manufacturers until the federal budget, with possible cuts in' the 10 per cent excise tax, is handed down; which situation, if it developed in the rest of Canada, could result in a major tie-up of the Canadian automobile industry?

Hon. W. E. Harris (Minister of Finance):

Mr. Speaker, I would not want what I say to be taken as any indication of any budgetary action that one might have in mind. The motor car dealers of Canada have intimated in each of the past three years that they would like the government to find a way of avoiding the loss which they suffer when the tax is reduced. There have been a great many conversation's between ourselves and the motor car dealers and the manufacturers' association. The last one was the week before last when several alternative methods of dealing with the problem were discussed with the representatives of the motor car dealers. Whether the action taken by the British Columbia branch of the motor car dealers has been taken in ignorance of these discussions or whether it has been taken as a result of the discussions, I do not know at the moment.

Mr. J. M. Macdonnell (Greenwood):

I

wish to direct a question to the Minister of Finance. In view of the minister's generous spending policy as shown by the estimates, can he inform the house whether or not he will have any generosity left to deal with the matter of tax reductions?

Hon. W. E. Harris (Minister of Finance):

I only want to answer, sir, by pointing out that I think this is the first voice that has been raised on the other side in favour of tax reductions.

Mr. A. M. Nicholson (Mackenzie):

I have a question I wish to direct to the Minister of Justice but I understand that the Minister of Finance is acting for him in his absence. Has the minister's attention been drawn to the items in this morning's papers reporting that five of the major oil companies in Canada yesterday announced price increases in gasoline and fuel oil of about a cent a gallon at the wholesale level? Will the minister consider ordering an inquiry under the Combines Investigation Act with a view to determining whether or not there is a combine which resulted in these price increases being announced at the same time?

Hon. W. E. Harris (Acting Minister of Justice):

When the Minister of Justice knew he would be absent today he asked me to answer any questions that might be directed to him. I am quite sure, however, that the house would not expect me to answer this question because he usually makes fairly detailed answers to questions on the Combines Investigation Act, and I am sure he will answer this one in that manner when he returns.

Mr. L. E. Cardiff (Huron):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Agriculture. In his absence perhaps his parliamentary assistant might answer it. What has happened to the government floor price on eggs? Has it become inoperative?

Mr. Roberi McCubbin (Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture):

I am

quite aware of the situation involved in the question asked by the hon. member for Huron. I can assure him that the agricultural prices support board has the matter in hand and we hope that everything will be straightened away within a reasonable length of time.

Mr. J. W. Murphy (Lambton West):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Agriculture. Is he aware that in western Ontario counties the primary producer is

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Inquiries of the Ministry getting 28 cents to 30 cents a dozen for grade A eggs at country delivery points?

Mr. McCubbin:

Yes, Mr. Speaker; I am well aware of these facts and 1 hope the situation will be straightened out.