March 16, 1934 (17th Parliament, 5th Session)

Right Hon. R. B. BENNETT (Prime Minister):

As far as I know that question
has not been raised. The questions raised were: First, has the board any jurisdiction to settle or determine questions of law; second, was the judgment of the board in connection with the matter of the refund of duty in connection with twine under a valuation fixed by the minister under the authority of an order in council passed prior to the enactment of the statute providing that section 43 did not apply to British Empire countries valid or invalid? The third question, which has just been mentioned by the hon. gentleman, has not arisen so far as I know. It has not been determined that the matter should be referred to the Supreme Court of Canada; the law officers are endeavouring to ascertain just what would be the appropriate method, apart altogether from resorting to the rather cumbersome proceeding provided by the Customs Act, to have the matter speedily disposed of. That matter will be settled by to-morrow.