Mr. Howard C. Green (Vancouver-Quadra):

Mr. Speaker, may I ask the Prime Minister whether the report which appeared in the paper yesterday to the effect that a Canadian armoured unit is to be sent to the United Nations emergency force is correct? If so, may we have a statement concerning the proposal?

Hon. R. O. Campney (Minister of National Defence):

If I may, Mr. Speaker, I will answer that question. We have had a request from the United Nations emergency force for a reconnaissance unit with scout cars and wireless vehicles and about 110 personnel and also for a number of other personnel, about 60 of the types already in Egypt. This request is under consideration and is being processed now. I will make a statement when it has been decided what action will be taken. As I have said the request is for a reconnaissance unit, not an armoured regiment.

Mr. Green:

May I ask the Prime Minister or one of the other ministers whether any other nations are sending additional troops to this force; whether any of the nations that already have troops there are withdrawing them, and also in what locality these troops are supposed to serve?

Mr. Campney:

I do not know of any troops that are being withdrawn. I noticed in the press, I think it was yesterday, that the Brazilian government is sending 400 or 500 further troops. A few days ago I gave a statement to the house indicating where the Canadians are located. So far as I know, there has been no change since.

Mr. Green:

Are these troops going to the same place as the other Canadian troops?

Mr. Campney:

They will go first, if they go, to the base. The decision as to where they will be deployed from there will rest with General Burns.

Mr. G. R. Pearkes (Esquimalt-Saanich):

May I ask a supplementary question. Has the government cleared with Colonel Nasser to see whether or not these troops will be acceptable?

Mr. Campney:

No, we have had no communication with Colonel Nasser.

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

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of National Defence if he has received any telegrams protesting the removal of the fourth battalion of the Canadian Guards from Camp Ipperwash. If so, will the minister tell the house what is being done about it. If the Guards are removed from Camp Ipperwash will other troops be moved in?

Hon. R. O. Campney (Minister of National Defence):

Mr. Speaker, before the 4th Guards battalion was moved to Camp Ipperwash it was used as a militia camp, as a cadet camp and in various other ways. Once the Guards are removed it will again be used for such purposes. There is no present intention of moving any other regular unit into the camp but the matter is being given consideration to see if this might be possible.

Mr. Murphy (Lambton West):

May I ask

the minister a supplementary question. Is it a fact that the Guards are being removed from Camp Ipperwash?

Mr. Campney:

The battalion at Camp Ipperwash is not being moved. It is one of the two regular battalions being run down.

Mr. Gordon Churchill (Winnipeg South Centre):

May I ask the Minister of National Defence whether it is the intention of the government to make any further reduction in the number of infantry battalions in the Canadian army which are on active service?