Hon. Jean Marchand (Minister of Manpower and Immigration):

Mr. Speaker, I believe a similar question was put to the Prime Minister yesterday by the hon. member for Burnaby-Coquitlam. We have been in continuous consultation with the government of Newfoundland concerning appropriate measures which would assist the island.

In anticipation of the lay-offs, in the spring of last year we designated the island as an area whose work force would be eligible for

Inquiries of the Ministry grants rather than loans under our mobility program. So far this measure has resulted in moving out of the island almost one quarter of its population of 8,500 persons. The workers concerned have either been placed in employment or are being provided with retraining. The radically changed provisions of our mobility program, which became effective two weeks ago, will increase our ability to give effective help to the remainder of the population.

Mr. T. C. Douglas (Burnaby-Coquitlam):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask the Minister of Manpower and Immigration what plans the federal government has in respect of the three quarters of the population who have not been moved out of that island, who are still apparently unemployed and suffering great hardship at the present time.

Mr. Marchand:

Mr. Speaker, I believe I answered the question in so far as the jurisdiction of my department is concerned. I do not think there is any one answer in so far as the second part of the question is concerned. It is always difficult for any community when the only company or plant is closed down. There are problems of reclassification, retraining, relocation and so on involved. It is not easy for us or anyone to solve this problem. We are trying to relocate these people and retrain them. That is all we can do at this moment.

Mr. Douglas:

Mr. Speaker, I have a further supplementary question. Yesterday the Prime Minister stated that more than one department was involved in the discussions between the federal government and the government of Newfoundland. I should like, to ask him whether any plans are under way to assist in the development of new industry in that area. What other departments are negotiating with the government of Newfoundland to help the people of Bell Island?

Right Hon. L. B. Pearson (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, the people on that island have been helped and we are continuing to help them in the manner indicated by the Minister of Manpower and Immigration.

Mr. Thomas M. Bell (Saint John-Albert):

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question. Will the Prime Minister consider pulling the Minister of Industry off his world trip and sending him personally to Bell Island to do something about this situation? It has been known for many years that the island was in trouble.

14918

April 14, 1967

Inquiries of the Ministry TRADE

Mr. H. W. Danforth (Kent (Onl.)):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. Because of the serious implications to the agriculture industry of any changes in tariffs in regard to fruits and vegetables I should like to ask the minister, who I know is very close to this matter, whether he is optimistic that the very serious negotiations being carried on at Geneva at this time will be completed before the prescribed time limit set by the United States.

Hon. Robert Winters (Minister of Trade and Commerce):

Yes, Mr. Speaker. According to the authority under which the United States is negotiating the negotiations will come to an end at mid-year. They have no legislative authority to negotiate beyond that time. Most of the nations-I think it would be fair to say all of them-are now negotiating on the basis of a target date of April 30 for completion of the substantive negotiations so as to allow an adequate opportunity to complete the details and related arrangements that are necessary in the time intervening between then and mid-year. We are negotiating on the basis that the target date for terminating arrangements will be met.

Mr. R. A. Webb (Hasiings-Frontenac):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct my question to the Secretary of State for External Affairs. In view of the fact that General Electric of Peterborough, Ontario was the successful one of three bidders for the construction of a $100 million nuclear power station in Finland, and in view of the Russian pressure put on the Finland authority to delay the project in order to provide Russia with an opportunity to bid on this project, have the Canadian authorities been aware of this situation and what action have they taken to counteract the Russian pressure?

Mr. Speaker:

Order. I think both the preface and the question should be placed on the order paper.

Mr. Webb:

Mr. Speaker, this is a very urgent matter which might involve the loss of a $100 million contract. I do not think there is anything more urgent.

Mr. Speaker:

I wonder whether the contract will be saved by the hon. member's question, or by the answer which might be given.

Hon. Michael Starr (Ontario):

I have a supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. I think it is urgent that the Secretary of State for External Affairs ascertain the position in this regard through the proper diplomatic channels, so that Canada's opportunity will not be jeopardized by any intervention on the part of Russia.

Hon. Paul Martin (Secretary of State for External Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, this matter comes under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Trade and Commerce. However, he and I will discuss this matter at once.