Well, Mr. Speaker, I think there is a saying, "He who pays the piper calls the tune." I would think the honourable Member would be more persuaded that the members of the committee would be unbiased if they were paying their own costs, rather than if the government was paying their costs, and so I do not know why she suggests I need to persuade or convince the House that those four people, who are paying their own way because of their concern about mine safety, are somehow in the pockets of the

government. We are paying the chairperson, Mr. Speaker, because I believe it is the government's responsibility to put in place an independent and qualified person credible to all concerned who can do the job, but I am delighted that the four participants are willing to undertake their own expenses, and I wish we would see that more often in the Northwest Territories. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Actually, I was happy that he answered the way he did because I did want him to allude to the fact that we were paying an independent chairperson, and I would like to know, how much is the Minister paying this independent chairperson?

This is getting very close, I think -- it is really using a supplementary as follow-up to your old question, so I am afraid I will not be able to entertain that one, Mrs. Marie-Jewell. Oral questions. Mr. Lewis.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister responsible for whatever the Housing Corporation is called now, because I understand it is going to be changed. Last week the Minister indicated that although he intends to get rid of the board of the Housing Corporation so that we can better integrate all government activities, and since housing, in fact, takes place in communities, I would like to ask the Minister, since he has indicated that at the local level Housing Corporation bodies will remain in place, since they will remain independent, how are they going to be better integrated into the economy of the community?

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to assure the Member that the Housing Corporation is still called the Housing Corporation today. As far as the community organization, how it would be more effective -- and I did say last week in this House that we were not going to touch those organizations, and it is still my plan not to touch them immediately. That is going to be addressed through the community transfer agreements that the Minister responsible, Mr. Kakfwi, is responsible for. So it is my understanding that the housing authorities will continue to do the job they are doing now in the future, and once community transfer is made to the community local council, then it would be changed. That is my understanding. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Gargan.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to direct my question to the Minister of Transportation with regard to his response to the highway patrol operations by the department. In his response, Mr. Speaker, the Minister indicated that the officers are on patrol duty one eight-hour shift a week. What day of the week is that?

Minister of Transportation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, if I understood the question correctly, the Member is asking what other duties the patrol officers do in their day-to-day jobs.

Mr. Gargan, please restate the question.

Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take the question as notice.

The question is taken as notice. Mr. Gargan.

I would like to direct my question to the Minister responsible for Transportation. In his response with regard to the accidents occurring, the Minister said that Highways No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 are the main transportation corridors in the NWT, on which 75 per cent of all accidents occur. Seventy-five per cent of what number?

Minister of Transportation, Mr. Allooloo.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Seventy-five per cent of the total vehicle accidents that occur in the NWT.

Supplementary, Mr. Gargan.

I realize it is 75 per cent of all the accidents, but how many accidents? Seventy-five per cent of how many?

Mr. Allooloo.

Mr. Speaker, I do not have those figures with me at the moment. I will take the question as notice and get back to the Member tomorrow.

Oral questions. Mr. Zoe.