Mr. Gerard Laprise (Abitibi):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the right hon. Prime Minister.

Can he tell the house whether it is still his intention to send a Canadian ministerial mission to latin America in the fall and if so, can he tell us the names of the ministers and officials who will participate in that visit?

Hon. Mitchell Sharp (Secretary of State for External Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, may I answer this question. The mission to Latin America is now being planned. We have been discussing with the governments of the Latin American countries the most suitable dates for our visit. When the itinerary has been decided upon in agreement with these governments, an announcement will be made, and the names of the ministers who will be participating will be announced at that time.

Hon. Marcel Lambert (Edmonton West):

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State for External Affairs. In the light of the repeated incidents between Israeli and Arab forces since the truce in the six day war of June, 1967, and in particular the more belligerent attitude of the parties in recent weeks, what active efforts has Canada been making both in the security council and the general assembly of the United Nations toward an eradication of the root causes of the tension which everyone in the house

[Mr. McIntosh.)

recognized existed at that time in the Middle East?

Hon. Mitchell Sharp (Secretary of State for External Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, our general policy has been to support the Jarring mission. We believe this is the only body now available which seems to have the necessary authority to discuss a possible solution with both the Arab and the Israeli sides in this conflict.

Within the next few days Mr. Riad of the United Arab Republic and the foreign minister of Israel will be in Canada and we will have an opportunity at that time for an even more detailed consideration of the possibilities of resolving some of these fundamental questions. I can only say that so far Mr. Jarring and his mission have not met with great success, which I regret very much.

Mr. J. P. Nowlan (Annapolis Valley):

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question which is obviously also directed to the Secretary of State for External Affairs. In view of the interesting surrounding-states doctrine in international affairs which was propounded here yesterday to resolve Biafra's problem, is the Secretary of State for External Affairs waiting for a resolution from the surrounding Arab states before some initiative is taken in resolving Israel's problem?

Mr. Sharp:

Mr. Speaker, I would have thought, having in mind the events surrounding the invasion of Czechoslovakia and the efforts that have been made to interfere in Canadian affairs, that most members of this house would support very strongly the principle of non-intervention in the sovereignty of other countries.

Mrs. Grace Maclnnis (Vancouver-Kings-way):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs. In view of the continuing rise in the cost of living and the reference in the speech from the throne to a continuous review of prices and costs, will the minister consider the establishment of a standing committee on consumer affairs?

Hon. Ron Basford (Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs):

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

September 18, 1968 COMMONS

Mrs. Maclnnis (Vancouver-Kingsway):

Mr. Speaker, may I direct a supplementary question to the minister. Has the combines branch completed its study of the Batten report on food prices and food retailing on the prairies? If so, will it be on the agenda for the federal-provincial conference on consumer affairs, and has the date for such a conference yet been set?

Mr. Basford:

Mr. Speaker, with regard to the first part of the question, the director of investigation and research under the Combines Investigation Act has submitted his annual report to me, which will be tabled in the house within 30 days. With regard to the second half of the question, the agenda for the federal-provincial conference has not yet been settled. The date is the last part of October. I am not sure that all the provinces have yet agreed on the date, and I do not want to announce it until they have.

Hon. George Hees (Prince Edward-Has-tings):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to address a question to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce and ask him whether, when he enters the present debate, as I hope he will soon, to outline what steps the government will take to sell our record wheat carryover, he will also take that opportunity to outline what steps the government intends to take to overcome the sharp drop which has taken place in Canada's industrial production.

Hon. Jean-Luc Pepin (Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce):

The hon. member is always full of generous offers, and I thank him, as I did yesterday.

Mr. Hees:

I have a supplementary question. Would the minister be so good as to consider these two very important matters seriously and assure the house that he will enter the debate and give a sensible answer to these two important questions?