Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by Mr. Steen on May 3, 1996, regarding information provided to retailers on social assistance provisions.

Mr. Speaker, income support workers assess the needs of all clients asking for support. They calculate what they are entitled to receive through the income support program and give them a written assessment, including the amount of money provided for rent, food, clothing and utilities.

Income support workers provide cheques directly to about 40 per cent of people receiving assistance. They also provide cheques to local suppliers, such as grocery stores, landlords and utility companies, on behalf of about 60 per cent of income support clients.

We do not have a policy saying exactly what groceries people should buy with their support cheques; nor do we tell grocery stores what they can sell to income support clients. Health and Social Services has information and staff in communities promoting good nutrition. Also, where the income support worker thinks it is necessary, he or she may ask the community health representative, or a homemaker, to advise individuals receiving support about nutrition and budgeting, and to help individuals shop for their groceries.

Hand-outs on nutrition and NWT food guides are available in community health centres. We will now ensure that income support workers provide some of these basic information hand-outs on nutrition to clients receiving support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.