Hon. Maurice Sauve (Minister of Forestry and Rural Development):
Yes, Mr. Speaker. We have arranged to have a summary of the report printed and as soon as it is ready it will be distributed to the members.
On the orders of the day:
Mr. T. S. Barnett (Comox-Alberni):
Mr. Speaker, I would like to change the focus of questions and direct mine also to the Minister of Forestry so as to give the mature Minister of Agriculture a rest. My question arises out of a statement made by the chief forester of MacMillan-Bloedel Ltd., one of Canada's leading producers of forest products. Does the minister share the concern expressed by that chief forester concerning the possible shortfall within the next few years in the available supply of merchantable softwoods to meet market requirements and, if so, can he advise the house whether the government has in view-
Mr. Speaker:
Order, please. I suggest to the hon. member that this question is not in order. He is asking the minister if he shares the concern of an official or of an individual, and in view of this the question is not in order.
Mr. Barnett:
Might I at least pose what I consider the operative part of my question and ask the minister whether the government has in mind any new initiatives to increase the productivity of our forest lands.
Mr. Speaker:
Order. The type of statement the hon. member is asking for should really be made at the time of motions.
On the orders of the day:
Mr. Barry Mather (New Westminster):
Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the Minister of National Health and Welfare. I have in mind the fact that his department gives public funds to cigarette disease education, and also contributes funds to encourage skiing in Canada. Under these circumstances is he aware that a major skiing organization this month has accepted sponsorship of a major skiing event by a cigarette corporation and, if so-
Mr. Speaker:
Order. Perhaps this is the type of question that might be considered at the time of adjournment, either this evening or next week.
On the orders of the day:
Mr. H. W. Herridge (Kootenay West):
Mr. Speaker, in view of the unavoidable and understandable absence of the Secretary of State for External Affairs I wish to direct a question to his parliamentary secretary. In view of the minister's continued, almost hypnotic interest in the costs of construction on the Columbia, has the government of British Columbia informed the minister to date of those costs?
Mr. Gerard Pelletier (Parliamentary Secretary to Secretary of State for External Affairs):
Mr. Speaker, I shall take note of this question and bring it to the minister's attention.
The house in committee of supply, Mr. Tar-dif in the chair.
Order. House again in committee of supply. When the committee rose on Wednesday, March 20, item 6c of the Department of Defence Production was under consideration.
6c. Reimbursement of the Defence Production Revolving Fund established by section 16(1) of the Defence Production Act for losses sustained in the operation of the crown-owned magnesium foundry at Haley, Ontario, prior to its sale in December, 1967, $480,000. March 21, 1968
Carried.