Hon. L. T. Pennell (Solicitor General):

Mr. Speaker, I move that we rise now, suspend the sitting and resume at the call of the Chair.

Mr. Schreyer:

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker, might I ask the acting house leader what happened to the government undertaking or intention to bring forward legislation to amend the Farm Improvement Loans Act? I understand the house leaders consulted and it was agreed that it be brought forward today.

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. I doubt whether this is a point of order, but perhaps the minister might be allowed to answer the question.

Mr. Pennell:

Mr. Speaker, the government was anxious to proceed with this measure. However, in view of the agreement last evening we felt we ought not to make any suggestions without unanimous consent. I understand there were negotiations but they were not fruitful, and I think that explains the situation.

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. Perhaps I might be allowed to invite hon. members to a non-partisan leadership seminar in room 16 before the house will resume its sitting at the call of the bells. I do now leave the chair.

Mr. Speaker:

I have the honour to inform the house that a message has been received

March 27, 1968

from the Senate informing this house that the Senate have passed the following bills:

Bill No. C-211, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the public service for the financial year ending the 31st March, 1968.

Bill No. C-212, An Act for granting to Her Majesty certain sums of money for the public service for the financial year ending the 31st March, 1969.

Mr. Speaker:

I understand that the Solicitor General wishes to be recognized.

Hon. L. T. Pennell (Solicitor General):

Mr. Speaker, before the house is formally adjourned perhaps I might be permitted a final word. I wish to express to all hon. members my appreciation for their assistance and co-operation during my brief tenure as acting house leader. May I express to you, Mr. Speaker, in this atmosphere of cordiality and good will, my wish that you have a pleasant and rewarding recess.

Royal Assent

Hon. J. A. MacLean (Queens):

Mr. Speaker, any position I might hold, during the making of my few brief remarks, is even more ephemeral than that of the hon. member on the government side, but I wish to take this opportunity to wish you a pleasant recess, a refreshing rest and a happy Easter. Much may come about before you come back again to preside over this difficult chamber.

I wish also to take this opportunity of hoping that my friends to the left have a pleasant recess and a happy Easter. I hope their recess is of a very high quality; it will have to be, to make up for its unnecessary brevity.

It is rather difficult to ask members on the government side to be happy. It appears that the stars foretell that in events lying ahead eight out of nine members will be deeply disappointed. Regardless of their feelings of disappointment I hope that hon. members on the government side will have the strength to bear their disappointments. Happy Easter.

Mr. Stanley Knowles (Winnipeg North Centre):

We are very happy to join sincerely in the felicitations which have been extended to Your Honour and to all members of the house. All I can say to my good friend for Queens is, "Vous etes tres gentil."

Mr. Bert Leboe (Cariboo):

All I can say is,

"We, too."

Mr. Speaker:

I thank hon. members for their kind expressions of good will. The only way I can reciprocate is by saying we shall return on April 23.

It being after 6 p.m., pursuant to special order of Wednesday, March 20, the house adjourned until Tuesday, April 23, at 2.30 o'clock in the afternoon.

[The following items were passed in Committee of Supply this day:]