Mr. Colin Cameron (Nanaimo-Cowichan-The Islands):

Mr. Speaker, my question

would normally be directed to the Minister of Finance but in his absence perhaps the Prime Minister would take it. In view of the reported statements of the President of France, General de Gaulle, respecting France's attitude toward the development of a new international unit of exchange, can the Prime Minister tell the house what position the Canadian government will be taking at Stockholm, in view of what appears to me and to many others as a proposal by France that is even worse than its original one-

March 25, 1968 COMMONS

Mr. Cameron (Nanaimo-Cowichan-The Islands):

Then, Mr. Chairman, perhaps the minister could give us some specific information. Are interest rates set under this assistance program? Have they been set? What type of loans are to be guaranteed? What responsibility is the government taking with regard to the guaranteeing of these loans? We certainly heard nothing as to what interest rates are to be charged, and I wonder whether the minister can give us the details in this respect.

Mr. Cameron (Nanaimo-Cowichan-The Islands):

I rise on a point of order, Mr. Chairman. I was present at every meeting of the

committee and I can say that no details were given to us at any time.

Mr. Cameron (Nanaimo-Cowichan-The Islands):

Mr. Chairman, as a member of that committee I have no recollection of any details of this assistance program being presented to us. It seems to me the minister must have these details in his mind or somewhere in his department. Rather vague references were made during the hearings at which, as the minister has said, a great many witnesses appeared, to some consideration of compensation for those who might be adversely affected by the Kennedy round; but we have no details of it.

Mr. Cameron (Nanaimo-Cowichan-The Islands):

Mr. Chairman, I also have been much concerned about this item. I wonder whether the minister is in a position to give more particulars than those which are set out here. I presume this item has reference to section 7 of the Department of Industry Act although no mention is made of this in the item. Can the minister give us any information concerning the details of the adjustment assistance program which, as my colleague the hon. member for Timiskaming suggested, we are now being asked to legislate by means of this item?