Mr. Fortin:

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Fortin:

Mr. Speaker, 1 was expecting this position as I was sufficiently aware of the rules, but 1 wanted to demonstrate that the opposition has in fact no chance to cast light on the past activities of solicitors general as they often move to another position and as the present Solicitor General admits on page 4 of his statement, that people in this position do not know anything about their letters and their inquiries from the RCMP. Consequently, I direct my question to the right hon. Prime Minister. Considering the unbelievable recognition by the present Solicitor General that it is customary for ministers not to inquire about investigations or claims made against the RCMP nor about the letters to be signed, can the Prime Minister tell us whether there is any direction from cabinet to put an end to this unusual practice where a responsible minister is eventually irresponsible?

Mr. Andre Fortin (Lotbiniere):

Mr. Speaker, with your leave, I would put my question to the present Minister of Supply and Services.

In view of his responsibilities when he was Solicitor General in 1972, in view also of the serious allegations now made because of this inquiry and the court's decisions, and in view of the importance given by the present Solicitor General in his statement of June 17 as to the role the present Minister of Supply and Services played in this matter, and to clarify and give more dynamism and power to his present position, could the minister tell the House whether he intends to make a statement in the near future on his position as to the conduct of a complete inquiry on this matter, either before the House of Commons or before a parliamentary committee? If so, when?

Mr. Andre Fortin (Lotbiniere):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to put a question to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Commerce.

On June 7 last, the minister told me that he was willing to appoint one of his officials to deal especially with the furniture problem in the Bois-Franc area. Since then, the plants of Victoriaville Specialities Co. Limited, Victoriaville Upholstering Limited, Poly Design, Dubo meubles and Victoriaville Furniture Limited have systematically announced that their business would be closing before July 1. The minister having

Oral Questions

stated also that he was waiting for a report from the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers' Association, is he in a position to tell us now whether he has received that report and if he has some proposals to make to assist more particularly the furniture industry in Quebec?

Does the government have a short term programme to make the public aware of the need for energy conservation and (a) if so, what is it (b) if not, for what reason?