Hon. J. W. Pickersgill (Minisier of Transport):

I am not sure whether I have received any protest from that particular organization, but I have received some representations and these are being considered at the moment.

Mr. Ricard:

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question.

Would the minister say whether grants have been asked from the federal government for the Nord-Sud Company in connection with the ferry service?

Mr. Speaker:

Order please. I suggest the hon. member place his question on the order paper.

Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Leader of the Opposition):

Some weeks ago I asked the Prime Minister, when the legislation was before the legislature of Quebec, whether his attention had been drawn to what has been called the external affairs law empowering the government of Quebec to deal directly

April 21. 1967 COMMONS

with governments of other countries. Has the Prime Minister looked into this question? What is his viewpoint regarding this legislation? Is the legislation along the lines of that suggested by Mr. Lesage when he was premier of the province? What attitude did the government take then, and what does it take now, toward this unusual piece of legislation?

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

Mr. Speaker, there is a question on the order paper dealing with this specific point to which a more detailed answer than I can give orally will be given, I believe on Monday. Meanwhile I would only say that the legislation in question to which my right hon. friend has referred does not, in our view, infringe the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal parliament and government over external affairs.

Mr. W. B. Nesbitt (Oxford):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the right hon. Prime Minister. Yesterday the Secretary of State for External Affairs was reported to have stated in effect that Canada must revise her traditional relations with the United Kingdom as the interests of the two countries now often differed. Does this mean that Canada disapproves of the suggested entry of the United Kingdom into the European common market, or does it mean something else? Perhaps the Prime Minister could elucidate.

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

Mr. Speaker, it certainly does not mean that we have changed our views in regard to the United Kingdom and its possible entry into the common market, and it certainly does not mean we are weakening in any respect, or desire to weaken, our relations with the United Kingdom.

Mr. S. J. Korchinski (Mackenzie):

As a supplementary question, may I ask the Prime Minister whether any survey is being made by the Department of Trade and Commerce or any other department of government to ascertain what Canadian commodities will be affected should Britain enter the common market?

Mr. Pearson:

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Exhaustive studies have been made as to the possible effect of British entry into the common market. It is very difficult at this moment to come

Inquiries of the Ministry to any specific conclusions as to what that effect would be until we know the terms covering Britain's entry, if in fact that takes place.

Right Hon. J. G. Diefenbaker (Leader of

ihe Opposition): As a supplementary question, the terms under which entry may be made into the common market have been agreed upon by the member countries. On the basis of the present terms would Canada's agricultural preferences be seriously affected unless provision were made by the member countries of the common market to make an exception or an exemption in part?

Mr. Pearson:

Mr. Speaker, we are doing our very best to protect the interests of Canadian producers, agricultural and otherwise, in respect of any changes that might be brought about by Britain's entry into the common market.

Mr. Korchinski:

As a further supplementary question, may I ask the Prime Minister whether the industries that might be affected will be forewarned in the event that they will no longer have a preferred market in Britain?

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please.

Mr. H. W. Herridge (Kootenay West):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to address a question to the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. Can the minister inform the house the number of federal and provincial government representatives who will be attending the water for peace conference in Washington from May 23 to May 31 this year, and can the minister inform the house whether these delegates will have an agreed Canadian position on water policy, water pollution and water waste?

Mr. Speaker:

Order. This question should be placed on the order paper.