Mr. Donald W. Munro (Esquimalt-Saanich):

Madam Speaker, in recognition of a significant facet of Canada's cultural, linguistic, constitutional and, indeed, moral heritage, I have some reason to expect that I will gain the unanimous consent of the House on the following motion which is seconded by the hon. member for Moose Jaw (Mr. Neil):

That this House instruct the government to mark in an appropriate manner the occasion of the Queen Mother's eightieth birthday on August 4 next either by a special cameo stamp issue, or by striking a silver dollar or other coin in recognition of Her Gracious Majesty, as well as of the heroic example she gave to all citizens in the Commonwealth in standing unflinchingly by her husband, our late King George VI, through all the trials and dangers of threatened invasion and bombing during the last war.

Madam Speaker:

Such a motion requires the unanimous consent of the House. Is there unanimous consent?

Agreed.

No.

Oral Questions AGRICULTURE CANADA

Hon. Walter Baker (Nepean-Carleton):

Madam Speaker, 1 move, under the provisions of Standing Order 43, seconded by the hon. member for Kingston and the Islands (Miss MacDonald):

That this House request the Minister of Agriculture to reverse the decision he made and to thereby allow the Ottawa-Carleton Plowmen's Association to use land used by Agriculture Canada in the national capital greenbelt for the 1983 International Plowing Match, permission for which was previously granted by the hon. member for Elgin when he was the minister of agriculture.

Madam Speaker:

Such a motion requires the unanimous consent of the House. Is there unanimous consent?

Agreed.

No.

Mr. Dave Nickerson (Western Arctic):

Madam Speaker, I would like to direct a question to the Prime Minister. It requires a very simple "Yes" or "No" answer. The deadline of July 15 which Foothills Pipe Lines has stated is the final date by which government approval must be given if the pre-build section of the Alaska gas pipeline is to be constructed this year is fast approaching: It is just a few days away.

Will the government tell us, now, whether or not they plan to grant, or deny, that approval?

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

Madam Speaker, yes.

Oh, oh!

Hear, hear!

That is what he wanted.

Mr. Nickerson:

Madam Speaker, that is a very simple answer. I must admit it was not quite the answer I was expecting, although I was looking for a similar answer. I would like to address my supplementary question to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce.

In the event that approval of the pre-build section is not granted, could the minister confirm that the loss to Canada, at this time of rapidly escalating unemployment, declining economic activity and serious balance of payments problems, would be in the order of 150,000 man-years of employment,

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Oral Questions

much of it in the hard-hit industrial areas of central Canada, and about $2 billion annually in our balance of trade position?

Hon. Herb Gray (Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce):

Madam Speaker, no, 1 could not.

Mr. Nickerson:

Madam Speaker, I think 1 will try the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources to see if he will be a little more forthcoming. I am very alarmed at the indecision, procrastination and evident inability of the present government to deal with the outstanding pipeline issues.

Will the government quit pussyfooting around with the pipeline and ensure that both the pre-build section and the Alaska gas pipeline in its entirety will be built as expeditiously as possible?

Hon. Marc Lalonde (Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources):

Madam Speaker, the hon. member has made a very interesting representation, and 1 am sure cabinet will consider it.