1. What were the names of the delegates from each of the departments of government represented at the Kennedy Round of tariff negotiations at Geneva?

2. Which of these delegates were (a) part-time (b) permanent?

Mr. W. H. Jorgenson (Provencher):

Mr. Speaker, the farmers of western Canada will be pleased to learn that the cheques in payment for oats and barley will be issued soon. Since sales during the past crop year have been much below previous years there is a very serious shortage of cash in the hands of farmers with which to pay the necessary production costs. I might add that as a result of the fact this government has seen fit to contribute greatly to the increased cost of production, these cheques will be most welcome. During the past two years farm costs have risen at an alarming rate, and farmers are caught in a very serious cost-price squeeze.

We are pleased that the final payments on both oats and barley are relatively stable in comparison with past years. However, farmers will be looking forward with great expectations to higher payments on the 1966-67 wheat crop, although I doubt very much if those expectations will be realized.

1. How many P.F.R.A. projects were started in 1967 in each of the Prairie Provinces?

2. What was the nature of each of the projects and estimated cost?

Mr. W. H. Jorgenson (Provencher):

My

question is for the Minister of Trade and Commerce, and I ask it because of a question which the hon. member for Moose Mountain (Mr. Southam) asked on March 1. Can the minister tell the house how many nations have already signed the two conventions making up the international grains arrangement that embodies the Kennedy round cereals agreements which were open for signature between October 15 and November 30 last year? Has Canada actually signed these instruments?

Mr. Jorgenson:

Does Canada intend to deposit the signed instruments by the agreed deadline next summer and, if so, how many other nations are expected to follow suit?