Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be presenting a report by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. Mr. Gargan will complete the report on the behalf of the standing committee.

Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Public Accounts has the honour of presenting the follow-up report on its review of the financial statements of the government of the Northwest Territories, and the report of the Auditor General for Canada for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1991.

Part one, introduction. In the Committee Report 13-12(2), tabled on June 25, 1992, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts indicated its intent to meet more frequently and to follow-up on the departmental commitments to take corrective action. With these stated intentions in mind the Standing Committee on Public Accounts has held a series of meetings to follow-up on the key recommendations and directions for the Report of the Auditor General On Other Matters.

Many of these were initially outlined in the standing committee's June report. The common report comments on outstanding issues relative to the Department of Health, the Department of Finance, and the Department of Justice, which have now been reviewed in additional detail.

The standing committee has always appreciated the assistance of the office of the Auditor General of Canada, and acknowledges the particular contribution of Mr. Dubois, Mr. R. Simpson, and Mr. Shier.

Part two, the committee's activity. Earlier public hearings held by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in April and June, 1992, have been summarized in the previous report. To follow-up on certain matters raised at that time subsequent public hearings were held for Health on August 10, 1992. At that time, the following witnesses appeared: the Department of Health, Dr. Kinloch, Acting Deputy Minister of Health; Mr. D. Bower, Director of Finance and Administration; Department of Finance, Mr. E. Nielsen, Deputy Minister of Finance; and, Department of Justice, Mr. G. Bickert, Deputy Minister of Justice.

In addition, the standing committee held planning sessions from August 11 to 13, 1992, and items included debriefing on public hearings held August 10, as well as discussion about the reporting framework and priorities for the views for consideration. Formal work plan for the future time of the review projects will be finalized and reported to the House at a later.

The standing committee met on September 14, 1992, to review the briefings from the Comptroller General and the Director of Government Accounting with respect to the public accounts appropriation schedule. The committee met again on September 21, 1992, to review for the briefing from the Deputy Minister of Justice with respect to administrative aspects of the legal aid system.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts wishes to express its appreciation for all government officials who attended these meetings and hearings.

I will now ask the honourable Mr. Gargan to continue. Thank you.