Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just came back on Saturday from Norman Wells, and all four Bird Dog officers were located in Norman Wells. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie Jewell.

Thank you. Can he confirm to this House whether the Bird Dog officers are working with the DC 4s or only with the CL-215s. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week they were working with CL-215s. It is my understanding that the DC-4 was used for the fire yesterday, but I don't know whether the Bird Dog officers accompanied it or not. I know the department is faxing stuff down to Fort Smith today to give to the union people. That's basically what I know of that issue right now. Thank you.

Thank you. Supplementary, Mrs. Marie- Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister give us the status of employment with regard to Bird Dog officers? When does he anticipate they'll be back working with the DC-4s? Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding that the DC-4s are working and that the Bird Dog officers should be accompanying them. At present in Norman Wells, there are no planes flying today because of smoke conditions, other than helicopters and there are ground crews fighting fires. The Bird Dog officers, CL-215s and DC-4s won't be flying today, unless the smoke clears. Thank you.

Thank you. Final supplementary, Mrs. Marie- Jewell.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I asked the Minister whether or not the Bird Dog officers are working with the DC-4s. The Minister indicated they should be, but I have been advised otherwise. I would like the Minister to determine whether he can confirm for this House whether or not the Bird Dog officers are, indeed, flying with the DC-4s. Thank you.

Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As soon as I can confirm whether or not the Bird Dog officers are flying with the DC-4s, I will make this House aware of it. Thank you.

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Dent.

Minister of Public Works and Services, Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will have to look into that issue; that's the first I've heard of it. I will get back to the Member as soon as possible. Thank you.

Thank you. Item 6, oral questions. Mrs. Thompson.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to ask the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism about a tannery in Coral Harbour. When he was visiting last year, he met with my constituents and they talked about the desire to have a tannery in Coral Harbour to process the thousands of caribou resulting from the commercial harvests. The Minister offered to send two people to Whale Cove to see the tannery there, but my constituents told me they don't need a trip to Whale Cove, they already know about the small-scale tannery which is there.

My question to the Minister is, does the Minister agree that it would add to the economic benefits of the Coral Harbour caribou harvest if the people of Coral Harbour could also utilize the thousands of caribou to set up a local tannery? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Discussions about the idea of a small tannery have been under way for some time now with the people of Coral Harbour, and it is the intention of the department to provide assistance to the community to develop a small tannery, primarily to deal with the significant skins that will be available over the next three or four years with the commercial caribou hunt. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Thompson.

My supplementary question to the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Mr. Speaker, is how much assistance is going to be given for the people of Coral Harbour to start the tannery?

Mr. Todd.