Hon. George H. Hees (Minisier of Transport):

Mr. Speaker, may I take this opportunity to reply to a question which was asked by the hon. member for Trinity-Conception on January 13 regarding a derailment which had taken place on the Canadian National Railways system in Newfoundland on January 11.

I am advised by the management of the railway that a full investigation is being made by the railway officers, and reports will be made to the board of transport commissioners in compliance with the board's regulations. The line was cleared and made passable the day following the derailment.

Mr. E. G. McCullough (Moose Mountain):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Transport. In view of the fatal accident at the railway crossing at Bells Corners last evening and the growing number of fatal accidents in the province of Ontario and across Canada in general, could the minister inform the house whether the government is taking action to attempt to speed up the installation of electrically controlled warning systems at these level crossings? I should like in particular to have the government make a special effort at installing such a device at this very dangerous crossing, where a number of serious accidents have occurred.

Hon. George H. Hees (Minisier of Transport):

Mr. Speaker, this matter is one for consideration and action by the board of transport commissioners. They have under consideration at all times matters such as this, and I will be glad to bring the particular location referred to by the hon. gentleman to the attention of the chairman of the board.

Mr. Claude Ellis (Regina City):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Transport supplementary to and arising out of the question asked by the hon. member for Moose Mountain. Is it the intention of the government to bring in amendments to provide for an increase in the moneys allotted under the railway grade crossing fund to stimulate a greater use of this fund in an effort to avoid these fatal accidents?

Mr. Hees:

Mr. Speaker, the government has this matter under consideration. The requirements are growing in this regard at a very great rate, and the government has it very much under consideration.

Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):

Mr. Speaker, may I direct a question to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister yet in a position to answer my question of a week ago as to whether or not he intends to make a more substantial reply by letter to the letter that Premier Campbell of Manitoba addressed to him on December 18, 1957?

Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, I have not had any opportunity to consider that matter since the hon. gentleman asked the question. But I think there is a paragraph in my letter, as I recollect it, saying that a further letter would be sent to Premier Campbell. That is my intention. I speak entirely from recollection. I was under the impression, as I listened to the question, that there was a portion of my letter which gave promise of a further letter.

Hon. J. W. Pickersgill (Bonavisla-Twil-lingafe):

Mr. Speaker, may I direct a supplementary question to the Prime Minister. Has he yet had an opportunity to find out if there was a letter from the premier of Nova Scotia which was not tabled with the other correspondence? I asked the Acting Prime Minister the other day-

Mr. Speaker:

I understand that question was answered.

Mr. Hees:

In the absence of the hon. member.

Mr. Pickersgill:

I apologize; I was not in

the house on Saturday.