Mr. Speaker:

The hon. member will have an opportunity, when the estimates are called, to express his views about the course the government took in ordering its business. As I suspected, there is no question of privilege, and in my opinion the hon. member was seeking to continue the debate.

(Translation):

Mr. J. P. Deschalelels (Maisonneuve-Rose-monl):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Secretary of State.

Following the statement he made in the house yesterday, could the minister now comment on the part his assistant secretary, Mr. Marc Andre Bouchard, played in that affair?

Hon. Noel Dorion (Secretary of Stale):

Mr. Speaker, yesterday I stated that the R.C.M.P. has been asked to make a full investigation.

As early as last Thursday, I personally gave the names of the people whom I felt could be advantageously questioned so that the investigation might be completed during the week end.

Inquiries of the Ministry

Since then I obtained further information which I passed onto the R.C.M.P. yesterday afternoon. As soon as the results are known, we will take the necessary action.

(Text):

Hon. Jacques Flynn (Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys):

I rise on a point of order, Mr. Speaker. The previous question was entirely out of order, as this is a matter which concerns the director of elections, so I am sure that any supplementary question would be out of order. It is about time that hon. members on the other side of the house obeyed the rules.

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

If I may, Mr. Speaker, I should like to say just one word on the point of order, as a former secretary of state. It is well known that the Secretary of State acts in this house as the channel of communication between the chief electoral officer and the house. I therefore submit to Your Honour that it has been a time honoured practice to put to the Secretary of State questions regarding the office of chief electoral officer, and I have never before heard exception taken to it.

Mr. Speaker:

I am not sure but that the question, if it relates to the same matter that was raised yesterday, was directed to the Secretary of State in his capacity as a member of parliament and not as Secretary of State. At least that is the way it appeared to me. However, I will hear the supplementary, and perhaps we can then determine whether or not the question is properly asked.

(Translation):

Mr. Gabriel Roberge (Meganiic):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask the Secretary of State whether he intends to suspend his assistant secretary pending the investigation?

Mr. L. J. Pigeon (Jolieite-L'Assomption-Monicalm):

That is none of your business.

Mr. Dorion:

Mr. Speaker, until I get a report from the R.C.M.P., I do not think it would be proper and justified to take any action.

On the orders of the day:

Mr. Samuel Boulanger (Drummond-Ariha-baska):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to put a supplementary question to the Secretary of State.

Could the minister tell us who recommended Mr. Labrecque for the position of returning officer in the riding of Bellechasse?

(Text):

Mr. Speaker:

Order. I would suggest that the hon. member put his question on the order paper.

Hon. L. B. Pearson (Leader of the Opposition):

Mr. Speaker, may I ask the Prime Minister if it is a fact, as reported by the Canadian Press in today's morning newspapers, that the United States has offered Canada joint control over nuclear weapons on Canadian territory on the same basis as the Anglo-U.S. arrangement, the two key system?

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

Mr. Speaker, nothing has taken place since the last report in this connection, and any article that may have been published today is purely speculative in every way. I have nothing to add to what has already been stated.