Mr. Nesbitt:

Is it the intention of the government to try to promote such negotiations through the Commonwealth secretariat?

Mr. Martin (Essex East):

Mr. Speaker, the government considers this is essentially a matter between the governments of Britain and Kenya and the persons concerned.

Mr. Nesbitt:

Does the minister then consider that Canada, as a member of the Commonwealth, has no responsibility whatsoever in this regard?

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. This question is argumentative.

Mr. David MacDonald (Prince):

Mr. Speaker, perhaps I could ask what might be called a double supplementary question in that it relates to two earlier questions. Is the government seriously considering or exploring with other governments the possibility of calling immediately for a top level consultation of Commonwealth leaders to consider the problems in respect of Rhodesia and the more immediate ones which have developed in Kenya?

Inquiries of the Ministry

In regard to Rhodesia, I think the most effective action that can be taken is action by the Security Council. I have already replied in respect of the question of Kenya.

Mr. Prosper Boulanger (Mercier):

Mr. Speaker, in view of certain recommendations in the Picard report, and in view of the recent visit by the Minister without Portfolio, is it the intention of the Minister of Transport to commence building rest rooms or waiting rooms to improve the facilities for longshoremen on the Montreal waterfront?

Hon. Paul Hellyer (Minister of Transport):

Order, please. I fail to see the urgency of the question.

Mr. Warren Allmand (Nolre-Dame-de-Grace):

My question is supplementary to the one asked by the hon. member for Mercier regarding the waiting rooms and rest rooms at the Montreal docks. I think this question is urgent, and the Minister of Transport was ready to answer it. The answer could do a lot to avoid another dispute at the Montreal docks. I believe the minister was ready to answer the hon. member for Mercier.

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. Hon. members must realize it is not always easy for me to determine whether a question is urgent. If in this case the matter is important and urgent, I have no objection to an answer.

Mr. Hellyer:

Mr. Speaker, I have already taken up this question with the chairman of the National Harbours Board. He has assured me of immediate consideration, and I am optimistic that it will be possible to start construction of the first of these rest rooms almost at once.

Hon. Michael Starr (Ontario):

May I ask a

supplementary question?

Mr. Speaker:

I must say I am still doubtful whether the question was in order. The hon. member for Ontario.

Mr. Starr:

I have a supplementary question for the Minister of Labour. I should like to

March 5, 1968

Inquiries of the Ministry ask the minister, outside of attending to this trivia of supplying rest rooms and waiting rooms, what is the government doing toward alleviating the situation and bring about a settlement?

Hon. J. R. Nicholson (Minister of Labour):

Mr. Speaker, the government has done everything that is permissible under the act. We are still waiting, and have been for days, the answer of the two parties to the dispute as to whom they want as chairman of the board that they asked be set up. I have intimated that if they cannot agree I will be glad to appoint one. They hope to be able to agree on a chairman. I await word from them.

Mr. J. R. Keays (Gaspe):

I wonder if the Minister of Labour can give us information concerning the meeting that was held yesterday with the port council?