On the orders of the day:
Mr. W. A. Tucker (Roslhern):
I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Trade and Commerce. I hope the trained seals are enjoying themselves, because that is all they are permitted to do.
You ought to know.
Mr. Tucker:
I should like to ask the Minister of Trade and Commerce if I may expect an answer to question No. 341 which, at his suggestion, I placed on the order paper nine days ago.
Hon. Gordon Churchill (Minister of Trade and Commerce):
Mr. Speaker, the answer to that is yes.
Mr. Tucker:
When may I expect it, Mr. Speaker?
Mr. Churchill:
The hon. member did not ask when in his earlier question, but as soon as possible.
Mr. Tucker:
May I ask if I may expect it at this session of parliament?
Mr. Churchill:
We will endeavour to accommodate the hon. gentleman at this, his final session of parliament.
Mr. Tucker:
The electors will decide that.
Mr. Speaker:
If hon. members are experiencing some difficulty with their desks I suggest they report the difficulty to the Sergeant-at-Arms.
On the orders of the day:
Mr. A. W. Stuart (Charlotte):
I should like to address a question to the Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources. Is the minister aware of the closing of the McMann coal mine at Minto, New Brunswick, and also the 50 per cent cut in production by the Newcastle Coal Company, adding hundreds to the already overburdened unemployment list in this area? If so, has the minister any plans for the reopening of these mines?
Hon. Alvin Hamilton (Minister of Northern Affairs and National Resources):
I think the hon. member had better refer this question to the minister responsible for mines and technical surveys. However, I am certainly not aware of the truth of the statements which he has made.
Mr. Stuart (Charlotte):
Then may I address the same question to the appropriate minister.
Hon. Paul Comtois (Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys):
I will take notice of the question, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. G. R. McWilliam (Northumberland-Miramichi):
I have a supplementary question, Mr. Speaker. In view of the cut-backs in the orders of the New Brunswick coal mines, will the minister make representations to the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission with a view to having coal used in the Chatham, New Brunswick, plant instead of oil?
Mr. Comtois:
I do not know of any cutbacks in orders.