Mr. Drury:

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

March 26, 1968 COMMONS

Mr. P. B. Rynard (Simcoe East):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to ask the Solicitor General whether he will indicate what action is being taken under the direction of his department to deal with the increasing traffic in narcotics, particularly marijuana, and the enlisting of young people and students in the distribution of these drugs.

Hon. L. T. Pennell (Solicitor General):

Mr. Speaker, I should advise the hon. gentleman that I attempted to give a lengthy answer to a similar question posed by the hon. member for Red Deer, but finally bowed to the direction of Mr. Speaker that it exceeded the bounds of propriety. I would be glad to forward to the hon. gentleman a copy of the answer I gave on that occasion.

Mr. Rynard:

Mr. Speaker, has the government considered setting up a commission to inquire, on an urgent basis, into the effects and properties of marijuana, the social consequences of its use and its physical and psychological effects on young users, particularly in view of the need for more adequate information about this drug at this time?

Mr. Pennell:

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the hon. member that this is a very important matter. However, I respectfully suggest that the question would be more properly directed to my colleague the Minister of National Health and Welfare.

Mr. Rynard:

Mr. Speaker, I will follow the advice of the Solicitor General and ask the Minister of National Health and Welfare whether the government-

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. I suggest it is not necessary to repeat the question.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have listened to the question and I shall be glad to give it careful consideration.

Hon. Michael Starr (Ontario):

Mr. Speaker,

I should like to ask the right hon. Prime Minister what steps he is taking to rectify, and I quote the words, "the failure of resolve

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Inquiries of the Ministry and the absence of courage" used in St. John's, Newfoundland yesterday by the Minister of Justice when describing one of the difficulties in making confederation function properly?

Right Hon. L. B. Pearson (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, he must have been referring to the opposition.

Mr. Robert McCleave (Halifax):

Mr. Speaker, will the right hon. Prime Minister, on behalf of all Canadians, submit to the C.B.C. the hope that any Stanley Cup hockey game on Saturday, April 6, be videotaped and presented later that evening should it conflict with another sporting event on that date?

Right Hon. L. B. Pearson (Prime Minister):

Mr. Speaker, we are doing our best to see that these two great national events do not conflict with each other.

Mr. Donald Maclnnis (Cape Breton South):

Mr. Speaker, is the Prime Minister not aware that the C.B.C. has already announced its intention to carry the game regardless?

Mr. J. N. Ormiston (Melville):

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. In view of the statement made by the Sioux Indians of the Griswold reserve, Manitoba, that they may have to seek foreign aid if government policy does not change, could I ask the minister whether he is aware of the source they are going to tap.