Mr. Olson:

If there is a possibility or indeed a spreading of disease by any insect, there is already provision in the act whereby some use of DDT can be made to control insects that may be spreading disease.

Mr. Yewchuk:

Mr. Speaker, would the minister undertake to investigate this matter and make a statement to the House when his investigation is completed?

Mr. Olson:

Mr. Speaker, I am not sure that I will make a statement to the House, but I will be in touch with the hon. member as soon as I have had an investigation made.

Mr. Barry Mather (Surrey-White Rock):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the attention of the Prime Minister. It is further to questions asked the other day of the Minister of Justice with regard to the Supreme Court ruling on the application of the breathalyzer legislation. Having in mind the fact that this ruling clearly undermines the ability of that legislation to protect the public from drunken drivers, is the government giving any consideration to this situation, possibly with a view to introducing further legislation?

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

I thank the hon. member, Mr. Speaker, for sending me notice of his question, but I received it only five minutes ago and I have not had a chance to communicate with the Minister of Justice. He will be in the House tomorrow and I will ask him to deal with the question.

Mr. H. W. Danforth (Kent-Essex):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to the Minister of Agriculture. In light of the fact that the government has spent considerable time, effort and money on developing a profitable egg industry in Canada, can the government assure the House that adequate provisions have been made for import controls so that importation of eggs will not destroy the profitable egg market for farmers in this country?

Hon. H. A. Olson (Minister of Agriculture):

Mr. Speaker, we have some obligations under international agreements that we have to respect. There has been a significant improvement in egg prices. Indeed, there was some room previously to allow an upward movement in prices before this would attract any imports, as set out in the agreement that I have with the provinces. Of course an attempt will be made to supply the Canadian market from domestic

July 4, 1972

Inquiries of the Ministry

production, and in this respect we would hope that a national egg marketing plan, agreeable to all the provinces, would take care of this situation as well.

Mr. Danforth:

May I ask the minister whether there are any departmental provisions that can be enforced if imports are seriously affecting the Canadian market for eggs?

Mr. Olson:

Yes, Mr. Speaker, there are some pieces of legislative authority to which we can refer in order to take care of such a problem.

Mr. A. P. Gleave (Saskatoon-Biggar):

Mr. Speaker, may I direct a question to the Minister of Agriculture. In view of the report of the Montreal Diet Dispensary on the importance of a proper diet and adequate food for mothers and families in poverty or low-income areas in Canada, will he undertake to study ways and means whereby basic foods such as milk and eggs can be provided to people at or below the poverty level?

Hon. H. A. Olson (Minister of Agriculture):

Mr. Speaker, a great deal is being done by the government to provide food to people who are unable to buy it through payments to the provinces.

Mr. Gleave:

Mr. Speaker, when objectives are set for Canadian egg and poultry production under the proposed supply-management programs, will the minister take into account not only the needs of the commercial and export markets but also the needs of those Canadians who are unable-

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. That is obviously debate.

Mr. Gleave:

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. With all due respect, Mr. Speaker, could the minister be permitted to answer my question?

Mr. Speaker:

Of course not. I indicated to the hon. member that his question is out of order.