Mr. Speaker, Members have been informed by the Government Leader earlier this week that as a priority the government will be proceeding with a recommendation of the "Strength at Two Levels" report on consolidating the Departments of Health and Social Services. In conjunction with that plan, as the cabinet moves to implement that recommendation, I believe that the proper place of the corrections service will be considered in the course of pursuing that amalgamation.

I have had some very preliminary discussions with the Minister of Social Services about that issue, and I think it is an option we will be considering, but I should say at this point that I have not formed any firm conclusions on that subject, other than to say it is an option that Mr. Whitford and I have discussed and it certainly will be explored as we move to implement this recommendation. Thank you.