Hon. Mitchell Sharp (Minister of Finance):

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the hon. member that as far as the government are concerned, we have every intention to maintain the present parity position of the Canadian dollar. We believe this is appropriate in respect of the essential value of the Canadian dollar. We have plenty of resources, and I hope parliament will support this government in its endeavour to raise the necessary revenues which are part of the pattern to give confidence to foreigners and Canadians that the Canadian dollar is worth its present parity position.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs with regard to the report of the commission which was appointed by the governments of the three prairie provinces to look into the matter of grocery retailing on the prairies. In view of the fact that the report of this commission indicates the dominant position of Canada Safeway Ltd. and the George Weston

[Mr. Monteith.)

Ltd. groups of companies, and states that there has been excessive profiteering in the grocery industry in the area studied, does the government intend to accede to the recommendation of this commission that there be an immediate investigation by the federal government? If so, what form will this investigation take?

Hon. John N. Turner (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, the press reports indicate that the report mentioned by the hon. member is a very comprehensive document. Neither the government nor our department has received a copy. This morning we were in touch with the Queen's Printer at Regina to request a number of copies. When the report is received it will of course receive study by the department and by the director of investigation and research. Among the subjects to be studied of course will be the allegations just recited by the hon. member.

Mr. Douglas:

Mr. Speaker, may I ask the

minister how soon he anticipates he will be able to acquaint the house with what steps he proposes to take in the light of the recommendations of this commission.

Mr. Turner:

It may be, Mr. Speaker, that we will judge it opportune to make a statement to the house after receiving and reviewing the report.

Mr. Raymond Langlois (Megantic):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask the minister whether, after receiving and taking a close look at the report, it might be advisable to submit it to the special committee on consumer affairs in order that members of this house may take it under study.

Mr. Turner:

That suggestion will, of course, be considered.

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

Mr. Speaker, when the minister is investigating these allegations will he also look into the policies of these and related companies in respect of the purchase of British Columbia fruit and the terms laid down in this instance?

Mr. Howard Johnston (Okanagan-Revelstoke):

Mr. Speaker, last Friday I directed a

March 5, 1968

question to the Secretary of State for External Affairs, asking him whether he had anything to report on the talks which had proceeded between Sir Alec Douglas-Home and Prime Minister Wilson regarding Rhodesia. At that time he said his reply would have to await a report on these talks. Has he received such a report, and is he able to give any indication of any improvement in the situation there?

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

Mr. Speaker, these talks did take place, but they were private and there is therefore nothing to report.

Mr. W. B. Nesbitt (Oxford):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask the Secretary of State for External Affairs whether he can now give the reply he indicated he would make to the two questions I put to him yesterday relating to the plight of Asian refugees in Kenya.

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

Mr. Speaker, the Commonwealth secretariat has not initiated the negotiations which were implied in my hon. friend's question yesterday. I know of no suggestion that there should be such negotiations.