Mr. Lloyd R. Crouse (Queens-Lunenburg):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to direct a question to

Inquiries of the Ministry the Minister of Fisheries. In view of the statement made last evening by the premier of Newfoundland on a C.B.C. television program, that in his opinion the Russian planes intercepted last week were surveying Atlantic coast waters for possible contamination; and in view of the possibility of such contamination of these waters as a result of the loss of nuclear bombs near Thule, would the minister indicate what steps his department or the government are taking to clarify the matter, particularly because of the tremendous impact that such statements could have on fish consumption and on the entire fishing industry in the Atlantic provinces.

Mr. Speaker, I listened last night to the statement by the premier of Newfoundland. He was expressing a personal opinion. So far as the federal Department of Fisheries is concerned, I gave our position on Wednesday, February 7, when I answered a similar question asked by the hon. member for Burnaby-Coquitlam. The situation is the same today as it was when I replied to that hon. member.

Mr. Crouse:

As a supplementary question, in view of the large research base we have at Halifax I would like to ask the minister has any action been taken to determine whether there is any contamination as a result of this incident?

Mr. Robichaud:

Mr. Speaker, I gave the assurance on Wednesday, February 7, that there was no radioactive contamination and that according to a report from the head oceanographer of the Fisheries Research Board, who had discussed this matter with members of the Atomic Energy Control Board, we had the assurance that there was no radioactivity.

Mr. T. C. Douglas (Burnaby-Coquitlam):

Mr. Speaker, may I ask either the Minister of Fisheries or the Minister of Industry whether a team of experts from Atomic Energy of Canada has been sent to Thule to find out on a first hand basis whether there is any danger of contamination of the adjacent waters which might have an adverse effect on Canadian fisheries, particularly at the Grand banks.

Mr. Robichaud:

I am not in a position to answer this question, Mr. Speaker.

February 19, 1968

Inquiries of the Ministry

INDUSTRY AIRPORTS

Mr. Robert C. Coates (Cumberland):

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Industry. Is it the intention of the government to review the designated area policy of the Department of Industry in so far as the Atlantic provinces are concerned?

Hon. C. M. Drury (Minister of Industry):

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. gentleman will recognize that a periodic review is made in respect of all the designated areas as well as the non-designated areas.

Mr. Coates:

Could the minister be more specific so far as Halifax, Dartmouth, Saint John and Fredericton are concerned? Is any consideration being given to including them?

Mr. Drury:

Mr. Speaker, a review of these particular areas was made as recently as last November.

Mr. Coates:

Mr. Speaker, may I direct a

supplementary question to the Minister of Finance. Would the minister indicate whether the change of attitude regarding a review of this policy so far as the Atlantic provinces are concerned is in effect only until April 6?

Mr. H. W. Herridge (Kootenay West):

Mr. Speaker, I have much pleasure in addressing a question to the Minister of National Health and Welfare. In view of the fact that for the first time in Canadian history the top skiers of the world will compete in the du Maurier international world cup championship in Rossland, B.C., the home of Nancy Greene, from March 25 to March 31 inclusive, and in view of the minister's particular interest in physical fitness and amateur sports and the wishes of the people in the district, would the minister consider representing the federal government on this very historic occasion?

Hon. Allan J. MacEachen (Minister of National Health and Welfare):

I would be delighted, Mr. Speaker.

Hon. E. D. Fulton (Kamloops):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask a question of the Minister of Transport. In connection with the new access route which is proposed for the air terminal building at Vancouver international airport-now under construction-is the federal government contemplating the charging of tolls on the new Fraser river bridge that will be involved?