Hon. J. W. Pickersgill (Bonavisia-Twillingate):

May I ask a supplementary question.

I should like to ask the minister if it is not true that co-operation on bidding is an offence under the combines act.

Mr. Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):

Page Stuart Garson.

Mr. Speaker:

Order. I do not think that is a proper question. It is really asking for an opinion.

Mr. G. H. Castleden (Yorkton):

I should like to ask the minister whether or not steps have been taken to ensure that United States flour is not substituted for Canadian flour in these shipments, as was done a few years ago. A few years ago there were shipments of Canadian flour going to our export trade, and because some United States flour had the same brand name as Canadian flour, United States flour was used to make up part of some shipments. It was a practice into which I believe the previous minister of trade and commerce had to look, and I should like to know whether the present minister is going to see that such practice is not permitted on this occasion.

Mr. Churchill:

By all means.

Mr. W. M. Benidickson (Kenora-Rainy River):

I should like to ask the minister a supplementary question. He has indicated that in discussion with the milling companies he has endeavoured to have an equitable distribution as among the companies. I wonder if these discussions continue, in view of the unemployment situation which is rather general throughout the country, whether he would also attempt to see that within the companies themselves there would be an equitable distribution amongst their mills across the country.

Mr. Churchill:

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. T. A. M. Kirk (Shelburne-Yarmouth -

Clare): I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. In view of the rapidly declining number of dry cargo ships operating under Canadian registry, will the minister do everything possible to see that the shipments of flour to the Middle East, purchased by the Canadian people, will be carried in Canadian registered and Canadian manned vessels?

Mr. Churchill:

If possible.

Mr. Kirk:

If it is possible, I am sure it will be. Will he also bear in mind that Nova Scotian ships, manned by Nova Scotians, now form the major part of Canada's dry cargo merchant fleet still in operation and should be given an opportunity to carry a share of this Canadian flour?

3804 HOUSE OF COMMONS

Inquiries of the Ministry

Mr. Churchill:

We will take this under Hon. Gordon Churchill (Minister of Trade

advisement and do what is possible under and Commerce): The practice of the

the circumstances. Canadian wheat board, Mr. Speaker, has

been to announce the sales when they have OLD AGE SECURITY been completed and the wheat is being

professor huson-inquiry as to remunera- shipped out of the country. We expect to tion to be paid sell a Quantity of wheat to Israel.

On the orders of the day:

Mr. A. M. Nicholson (Mackenzie):

I should like to direct a question to the Minister of National Health and Welfare. In view of press reports that Professor Huson was to receive $35,000 a year, could the minister tell the house what settlement was made with Professor Huson for his two weeks' work, and also what salary Professor Clark is to receive?

Mr. Speaker:

Order. I think that question had better be put on the order paper. It is asking for statistical information.

Mr. F. C. Christian (Okanagan Boundary):

I should like to ask a question of the Minister of Finance. In view of the necessity for easing further the tight money policy, has the government given consideration to the need for easier credit and a reduction in the prevailing bank interest rate? I might add, Mr. Speaker, that I have added the word "further" after the word "easing" in the copy of the question which I sent to the minister as notice.

Hon. Donald M. Fleming (Minister of Finance):

I thank the hon. gentleman for sending me notice of his question. I did notice that the word "further" was very properly added to his question. The answer to his question is yes, the government has taken steps toward easing the former policy, easing credit and lowering interest rates in Canada during the last six months, and hopes to see this beneficial trend continue.

Mr. H. W. Herridge (Kootenay West):

should like to address a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce which, as will be seen, is entirely devoid of partisan motives. I failed to send him notice because I have knowledge of his encyclopaedic mind, Is a sale of wheat being negotiated by the wheat board with the state of Israel? If so, can the minister inform the house of the details?

[Mr. Kirk.)