Mr. Trudeau:

You need another five days off.

How was your vacation, Pierre?

Oh, oh!

Mr. Gordon Ritchie (Dauphin):

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of Finance. As the Economic Review indicates that most of the major sectors of the economy advanced in the creation of new jobs as much as manufacturing, and in some cases much more, is the minister still of the opinion that the fast write-off and corporate tax reductions to manufacturers were the major reason for the performance of that sector as far as the creation of new jobs is concerned?

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. The Chair will, of course, allow the minister to reply, but a question in those terms invites the minister to express an opinion. I do not want to be unfair to the hon. member for Dauphin. If the minister can reply briefly he will be recognized for that purpose.

Hon. John N. Turner (Minister of Finance):

Mr. Speaker, I will have to read that question in Hansard because I really could not hear it through the fog emitted by the hon. member for Prince Edward-Hastings.

Mr. Speaker:

Is the hon. member rising for a

supplementary?

Mr. Ritchie:

Yes, Mr. Speaker. Has the minister any further plans to research the fast write-offs and tax reductions for manufacturers in view of the discrimination against other segments of the economy in certain areas?

Mr. Turner (Ottawa-Carleton):

At this stage in the session, Mr. Speaker, it might be a little awkward for me to answer that question.

Mrs. Grace Maclnnis (Vancouver Kingsway):

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of State for Urban Affairs. In light of the cutback in apartment construction in Canada's major urban centres, does the minister plan to announce at an early date new plans for a large-scale program to provide rental accommodation for low and moderate income families?

1874

April 30, 1974

Oral Questions

Hon. Ron Basford (Minister of State for Urban Affairs):

Mr. Speaker, we are supporting through the provisions of the National Housing Act the construction of a large number of family income units and are supporting the implementation very vigourously of the whole nonprofit sector of the National Housing Act. We are also supporting provincial action as it exists in this regard.

Mrs. Maclnnis (Vancouver Kingsway):

In view of the chronic reluctance of the building industry to use the funds allocated for public housing, would the minister now consider taking direct action by having the government move directly into the building field as it did so successfully after the second world war?

Mr. Basford:

Mr. Speaker, the federal-provincial partnership operating in most provinces to develop public housing is not having difficulty in finding people to build houses.

Mrs. Maclnnis (Vancouver Kingsway):

How does it happen that so many people are unable to get rental accommodation in spite of what the minister says?

Mr. Speaker:

Order, please. The hon. member for Lisgar.

Mr. Jack Murta (Lisgar):

Mr. Speaker, I should like to direct a question to the Minister of Finance. In view of the fact that some banks at least seem to be unwilling at the present time to lend money by way of farm improvement loans, has the minister had discussions with the officials of the banks in Canada with a view to ensuring that under the Farm Improvement Loans Act money will be available for farmers to use this spring?

Hon. John N. Turner (Minister of Finance):

Mr. Speaker, I will take that suggestion under consideration, particularly in view of the fact the House has just passed amendments to that act.