Mr. Roch La Salle (Joliette):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to put a question to the Prime Minister.

A few days ago, during a press conference, the Quebec Minister of Social Affairs stated that, during the last federal-provincial conference in Victoria, a document emanating from a federal government department was circulated among some provincial delegations, cautioning them against certain Quebec proposals.

Is the Prime Minister in a position to say whether he was aware of this and whether he was in favour of such a procedure?

Right Hon. P. E. Trudeau (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, I do not know what document is being referred to. If the hon. member can be more specific, I shall find out.

Mr. La Salle:

Since the Quebec Minister of Social Affairs made that statement, may I now ask the right hon. Prime Minister whether he can find out which federal department circulated that document and report to the House?

Mr. Trudeau:

Mr. Speaker, I have not followed in detail all the statements of the Quebec minister involved, but if the hon. member is interested he might supply me with details and I shall inquire.

Mr. Robert McCleave (Halifax-East Hants):

Mr. Speaker, I intended to direct a question to the President of the Treasury Board, but since it involves the entire public service, both fair and unfair, perhaps it should be directed to the Prime Minister. Has the high level study of guidelines dealing with conflict of interest in the public service been completed and, if so, will it be made public?

Right Hon. P. E. Trudeau (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, I believe that any studies of this subject were done under the direction of the President of the Privy Council, and I will refer the question to him.

Inquiries of the Ministry URBAN AFFAIRS

May 23, 1972

Mr. S. Perry Ryan (Spadina):

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the minister responsible for Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation. Now that the minister has survived a $400,000 sip of tasteless water made from recycled sewage, does the government intend to promote the use of this newly developed recycling system in Canada and, if so, will the minister make a statement to the House as to the areas in which this system should prove useful?

Hon. Ron Basford (Minister of State for Urban Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, I will be happy to send the hon. member a complimentary bottle of recycled water.

Oh, oh!

Mr. Basford:

The pilot project that has been financed by CMHC and the Ontario Research Foundation is producing absolutely pure water. It is still being refined from the points of view of economics and engineering, but the experts are very enthusiastic that it will prove out-

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. I regret interrupting the minister but I do feel that this kind of question normally ought to be placed on the order paper. I fail to see the urgency of the question.

Mr. Ryan:

Mr. Speaker, may I ask a supplementary question. Now that the minister's appetite has been whetted, and mine as well, would he not tell us whether CMHC has plans to introduce this system immediately in any of its current projects?

Mr. Basford:

No, Mr. Speaker. It will be 1973 before that is ready.

Mr. Colin D. Gibson (Hamilton-Wentworth):

As a supplementary question-

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. I think the Chair might very easily have suggested at the start that the original question be placed on the order paper, but since it was asked and answered the hon. member will be recognized for a supplementary.

Mr. Gibson:

Mr. Speaker, I hope the House will forgive me for asking a supplementary, but there is a potentially tremendous tax saving if the municipalities of Canada can be informed. I would ask leave to ask the minister-

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. Would the hon. member ask his question?