Mr. Hazen Argue (Assiniboia):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Transport. Has the minister received a letter from Mr. W. Danyk, secretary treasurer of the Canadian National Railways system employees' local federation of Edmonton, Alberta, in which he strongly protests the nation-wide lay-offs of employees scheduled to be implemented on March 17, 1961 by the Canadian National Railways? If so, is the minister of the opinion that this drastic action contemplated by the C.N.R. is contrary to the assurances of reinstatement of employment given by the minister during the discussion of Bill No. C-45?

Hon. Leon Balcer (Minister of Transport):

Mr. Speaker, I have not seen the letter referred to by the hon. member. I will check with my office, and if I have received such a letter I will at once communicate its contents to the management of the C.N.R., which is the course open to me in this circumstance.

Mr. Argue:

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the minister's answer, and I might tell him that his name is the first one listed on the copy that was sent to me. Has this matter previously been brought to the attention of the minister? Is he aware of any impending move by the C.N.R. to institute this kind of wholesale lay-off?

Mr. Balcer:

No, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Hubert Badanai (Fori William):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of National Revenue, arising out of the awarding of a contract to a private station to televise the Big Four football games. It is now being stated that stations such as CFCJ-TV at the lakehead are doubtful whether they will carry the games this year.

My question is, will the minister look into this matter, which is causing considerable concern, and report to the house whether the Big Four football games will be available to stations which previously carried these football telecasts either through C.B.C. outlets or C.B.C. affiliated stations?

Hon. George C. Nowlan (Minister of National Revenue):

Mr. Speaker, I will refer this matter to the corporation and ask for information, and I will advise the house accordingly.

Mr. Harold E. Winch (Vancouver East):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Transport. I am sorry I could not give him longer notice, but only about two hours ago I had occasion to send him a copy of a telegram addressed to me which stated that a shipment of wheat for the order of the people's republic of China is today being loaded in a ship at Vancouver which has not been cleaned. Fuel oil is at the bottom of the ship. I have in mind criticisms made a year ago regarding certain shipments of wheat. I would ask the minister whether he has been able to investigate the truth or otherwise of this allegation.

Hon. Leon Balcer (Minister of Transport):

Mr. Speaker, I certainly will, and will ascertain that ships leaving Vancouver are properly cleaned to carry good Canadian wheat.

Mr. H. J. Robichaud (Gloucester):

May I

ask the Minister of Transport if he is now in a position to reply to the question I asked him on Thursday, February 16, with regard to the installation of a Decca station on Ship-pegan island?