Mr. Dick:

A supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. In view of the fact that other leading countries in the western world which are also trying to adapt to the GATT resolutions, particularly the United States, still have a 20 per cent tariff on hot-forged scissors, Which is exactly what was requested in the case of Canada which lets in cold-stamped scissors free of duty, is there any change the minister can foresee in the near future?

Mr. Macdonald (Rosedale):

No, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. James Gillies (Don Valley):

Mr. Speaker, my question is also for the Minister of Finance but in his capacity as minister representing the shareholders of the Canada Development Corporation, the shares held by the government of Canada. Has the minister instructed or at least passed on to the chairman of the board of Canada Development Corporation for communication to subsidiaries, particularly Polysar,

that it is the position of the government of Canada, as repeated by the Prime Minister many times in this House, that witnesses before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts should be forthcoming in their answers in order that that committee is able to draw conclusions respecting the charges which have been made by the Auditor General? Has the minister requested that that position be put forth?

Hon. Donald S. Macdonald (Minister of Finance):

Mr. Speaker, 1 am not in any doubt that witnesses, either from Polysar or from any other company in which the government has an investment, would do their very best to assist the committee. I have not really felt it necessary to tell the directors or to ask the directors nominated by the government in CDC or other corporations to co-operate. I believe the assumption is that they will so co-operate.

The particular question has arisen as to whether or not, by his appearance before the public accounts committee, a particular employee could be put in legal jeopardy in his place of employment or in his own country. That, obviously, is a very special problem. It seems to me that it is a difficult situation in which to put an employee, where he could be compelled to answer questions in this country which might then result in severe legal implications for him in Switzerland. That is a problem which I have asked the government directors of the Canada Development Corporation-that is to say, the public service directors, to take up with the executive committee of the CDC to see whether some satisfactory resolution can be achieved.

Mr. Gillies:

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question for the Minister of Finance. I certainly understand the answer the minister has given and I can understand the concern, but my question arises from the fact that a witness before the committee refused point blank to supply information to the committee which would make it possible, and only possible, for the committee to discover whether or not Polysar was engaging in activities which allowed it to avoid, or at least to minimize, taxes it should have paid in Canada. I should like to know whether or not the minister would in fact direct, or if he cannot direct at least pass on to, the CDC and through the CDC to Polysar that in issues which are very pertinent to considerations going forth, and which do not put in jeopardy the legal status of any employee of the corporation but which are essential if the investigation is to make progress, he should indeed be instructed to answer questions?

Mr. Macdonald (Rosedale):

Mr. Speaker, with the general principle I would have no argument; but I am sure that the hon. member understands that I could not ask the directors of the CDC to require an employee to break the law.

March 11, 1977

Mr. Florian Cote (Richelieu):

Mr. Speaker, 1 would like to ask a question of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce.

Can the minister tell the Elouse whether the government is going to improve the shipbuilding assistance legislation to make our Canadian shipyards more competitive and more able to maintain the employment level in this industry?

Hon. Jean Chretien (Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce):

Mr. Speaker, I had a number of representations on this matter from both sides of the House, particularly from the hon. member, and I am glad to announce that the government has decided to increase by 12 to 20 per cent the subsidy granted to shipbuilding in Canada so as to help this industry which is going through a difficult period because of the low level of foreign orders and also perhaps the very strong competition of some countries.

Mr. Dean Whiteway (Selkirk):

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Secretary of State and it arises out of a motion that I presented last June under Standing Order 43 and a motion put yesterday by my colleague, the hon. member for Surrey-White Rock. It has to do with celebrations on Parliament Hill which the government cancelled last year and which are symbolic of national unity and pride which we all feel on Canada Day. Would the minister inform the House what specific plans he has to restore those celebrations to a level that would be symbolic of the kind of nationalism we all feel to give every Canadian a change to show his patriotism?

Hon. John Roberts (Secretary of State):

Yes, Mr. Speaker, we have been working on such plans for several months, including not only celebrations in Ottawa but in other parts of Canada as well. I am not in a position to make any specific announcement, but I hope to be able to do so very shortly.

Mr. David Orlikow (Winnipeg North):

My question is for the Secretary of State for External Affairs. Would he indicate

Oral Questions

in the House why the Canadian government has not yet implemented the policy announced in the House regarding Canadian government action on the Arab boycott related to Canadian firms doing business with Israel?

Hon. Donald C. Jamieson (Secretary of State for External Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, we have started to implement the policy. It took considerable time to draw up the guidelines and to distribute them to our embassies and other organizations abroad, but I am satisfied with the arrangements that are now in place, and I believe the guidelines have been made public. If not, my colleague, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce, will be glad to do so. I repeat that the program will be effective.

Mr. Orlikow:

Mr. Speaker, I have a supplementary question for the Secretary of State for External Affairs. In view of the fact that the hon. member for Windsor West indicated the other night that because there is no legislation backing up the guidelines they will not really be effective, is it the minister's intention to introduce legislation in the House, similar to that now being contemplated in the U.S. Congress, which would clearly spell out that our Canadian firms and banks are prohibited from going along with the Arab boycott as they have been until now?