Point of order.

Point of order, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I directed my question to the Minister of Social Services. My supplementary is being directed to the Minister of Social Services, therefore I would request the Minister of Social Services to reply to my supplementary.

Thank you, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. My understanding of the past practice of this House is that a question directed to a Minister can be handled by that Minister or can be handed off to another Minister. It is the choice of cabinet. They will bear the consequences of that decision. But it is appropriate for the Government Leader to answer the question. Madam Government Leader.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to verify that in the "Strength at Two Levels" report and the consolidation of the Department of Health and Social Services -- while we are going through that process I would consider in doing that job, it would create, in fact, a complete review of the Department of Social Services and what they are doing and the conduct of business. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Social Services -- whatever Minister may want to answer, it is certainly up to them. The Government Leader indicated that she will take the report that has been tabled in the House, "Strength at Two Levels," to determine what should be reviewed in the Department of Social Services. Does the Minister of Social Services feel that the Department of Social Services needs a total review -- the comment he made prior to this report being tabled in this House?

Minister of Social Services.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell, supplementary.

Mr. Speaker, does he know today, as he stated on Monday, the specific direction that he is going to be going in? Can he advise the House today?

I take it "he" is the Minister of Social Services? Minister of Social Services.

Oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This has been a concern for some time by my constituents. There have been deaths of students who are out of our community. There are a lot of people who go outside of our community to go to school. I do not want an answer right now, but perhaps later on. Our school was deferred to be completed in 1992. There are a lot of students who are enroling in that school in my community and there is not enough room in the school now. It is very hard for the parents of the community when their children have to go to school outside the community. Can the department assure me that the school in my community will not be deferred again?

Minister of Education, Mr. Allooloo.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we all know that the capital projects that are going to be built in the communities have not been started yet; they are still being discussed by the government. I think you have all heard that the capital estimates will be dealt with in February. We will find out whether the school Mr. Pudlat is talking about will be deferred or will go ahead.

Oral questions. Mr. Todd.

My question is to the Minister of Justice. Given the current increase in the rate of crime and the need for legal aid and the fact that up until 1989-90 the federal government was cost sharing the cost of legal aid, what steps, if any, is the Minister of Justice going to take to ensure that these spiralling costs are going to be brought under control? Because it is my understanding that in accordance with the Beatty report the federal government has put a cap on their contribution to the cost of legal aid.

Justice Minister, Mr. Patterson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Member is absolutely correct that the legal aid cost sharing agreement with the federal government has been frozen at 1989-90 dollars, and we are facing a serious shortfall in the amount of money available for legal aid, compared with the demands on the system. I want to assure the Member and the House that I have given this problem priority attention. I had a chance to meet briefly with the Legal Services Board shortly after my appointment; they have now presented me with a report that they had commissioned on legal aid. I have also the benefit of the recommendations of the "Strength at Two Levels" report on that subject, and this week I am meeting with my department to consider what steps will be necessary in order to deal with these financial problems that the Member has alluded to.

I expect that I will have to make decisions soon in order to deal with the issue this fiscal year. Fortunately, I will have the benefit of this review that has been done under the auspices of the Legal Services Board and the "Strength at Two Levels" report to guide me in tackling the issue.

Today I do not know what can be done, Mr. Speaker, but I expect that by the end of the week the department will be making recommendations to me about necessary steps that will have to be taken, and I will keep honourable Members informed as those decisions are taken. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Todd.

Mr. Patterson.