Mr. Patterson,

No, Mr. Speaker, I am not intending to say anything of the kind; only that the continuation of existing programs and their expansion will be dependent on the finalization of the budget of the Department of Justice. I am not in a position today to prejudge the outcome of those budget discussions, I think I will have a better idea when the O and M budget for my department is presented to this Assembly, just what kind of latitude there might be to expand programs like that in the coming fiscal year. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Dent.

Mr. Patterson.

Mr. Speaker, I have yet to receive a report, even a preliminary one, on the success of that particular initiative. I will base my judgments on whether or not it should be given priority status within my budget on the success of the program. If the Member has advice for me about its importance I would be most interested in that advice. But having not yet received an evaluation, I am not in a position to state today whether or not it would be a priority.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask a question to the Minister of Personnel in respect to the sale of housing. On March 2nd I asked the Minister of Personnel a written question in regard to clarification on the sale of housing in Fort Smith. As of today I have still not received a reply. When does the Minister anticipate he will reply to my written question?

Mr. Kakfwi.

Oral questions. Mr. Koe.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to congratulate the Minister of Public Works on the statement about the contracts in Russia and the initiatives taken by some of our Northwest Territories' companies or so-called Northwest Territories' companies. The initiatives show that our companies have capabilities and can do international jobs. My concern is on the financial aspects, and it is not clear from the statements the Minister made as to whether or not this government has provided any financial support for these companies in these initiatives. Can the Minister state whether or not the Government of the NWT has given any financial support to these companies in regard to the contracts in Russia?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My understanding is that the Department of Public Works, Government of the NWT, did not assist the companies financially. One advantage for Ferguson Simek Clark when they did travel to Russia, because the USSR wanted to deal government to government, was that they did need government people there as protocol. That is the advantage they got. So it did cost this government money to travel there.

Supplementary, Mr. Koe.

Is the Government of the NWT providing any guarantees or any securities on the contracts in Russia?

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No.

Oral questions. Mr. Pudlat.

(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Justice a question. I made a statement last week about whether there would be a replacement for a constable in Lake Harbour and that there be a native constable available to the community. Has the Minister had a chance to think about if the present constable retires will he have a replacement?

Mr. Minister.

Mr. Speaker, I cannot give the Member an answer today. But I do welcome his support for aboriginal police officers. Last year there was a quota of seven positions in the NWT for the aboriginal constable development program, and I certainly will make every effort to

assist that community, especially if they can identify persons from Lake Harbour who are willing to become police officers, but I have not, as of today, been able to determine what is or is not possible for that community in the coming year.

Oral questions. Mrs. Marie-Jewell.