Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Gargan on November 22, 1992 and it relates to a bill for rescuing the Coast Guard ship.

In response to the Member's question in the Legislative Assembly on November 23, 1992, I wish to advise that the Department of Transportation is not intending to bill the Coast Guard for services rendered on October 23, in connection with the grounding of the M. V. Eckaloo.

The M. V. Merv Hardie was absent from the ferry crossing at Dory Point for approximately seven and one half hours, and was successful in freeing the Eckaloo. Upon its return from the scene of the grounding, the backlog of traffic was approximately 20 trucks and 27 automobiles. That, Mr. Speaker, was cleared in a matter of two hours.

The cost of the rescue operation to the Government of the Northwest Territories, additional to the costs which would have been incurred by the ferry in normal operation, amounts to approximately $50 for additional fuel.

The cost of delay to motor traffic has not been calculated as sufficient information is not available. In fact, all local truckers, the radio stations, the Enterprise weigh scale and the ferry information phone tapes were alerted that there would be disruption of services. Most of the travellers were, therefore, able to adjust their schedules to allow for the disruption.

In this case it is not considered appropriate to send a bill to the Coast Guard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.