Mr. Morin.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I could suggest that to the Minister and I thank the Member for his recommendation. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Miltenberger.

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was as encouraged as my Cabinet colleagues were that there was reference in the fine print, in the budget to the fact the federal government was working with the territorial government and the partnership the territorial government has to provide funding for the two new territories. It made reference to the fact that while they were using the current budget as a holding number that there clearly was a requirement for additional incremental costs. It was a statement in the budget that is what it said, in terms of the detail. My point this morning was that I was encouraging the fact we were able to get it there. That was due in part to our efforts, as well as our MPs efforts. It is a symbolic gesture to the federal government saying to the rest of the country that we are ready to move in providing adequate funding for the two new territories in April 1, 1999. We and my Cabinet colleagues have appreciated that. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

Yes, that is exactly it. That is the reason I referenced it in my statement this morning. The reality is, as my honourable colleague knows and the House knows, we are in intense negotiations right now. I am optimistic that we will be able to reach an arrangement and meet the targets that we set for ourselves in April, 1998. I certainly hope so. My reason for referencing it was to show clearly that the federal government, through a statement, whether it is a small paragraph or not, in the budget, in the detail, has committed to incremental costs as it relates to the two new territories. I am confident, as my Cabinet colleagues are, that we will be able to accomplish that, in the not to distant future to, hopefully, have a reasonable good news story for both east and west. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

No, Mr. Speaker. The transitional costs are

separate entities that are being discussed between the Interim Commissioner's office and the Honourable Jane Stewart's office. This reference in the budget was in reference to the ongoing, long-term operations and maintenance costs related to two new territories. I will get those two paragraphs that one and the economic one, which are also a good sign for us. I will get that excerpt from the budget for my colleague and the colleagues in this House. Thank you.

Thank you. Oral questions. Final supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Mr. Todd.

We do not have the details of that. We are working fairly hard today and tomorrow trying to get a much more explicit interpretation of what that means. Again, my Cabinet colleagues and particularly, Mr. Kakfwi, the Minister of RWED, is encouraged by the fact the federal government said in its budget that it wanted to work with the territorial partners in the establishment of a partnership working toward the new changing economy in the territories. We were extremely pleased to see there was a reference to diamonds in that. What that translates into, I do not want to speculate at this time, but from my position as Finance Minister, what that could translate into is perhaps, an agreement between the federal and territorial governments or the two new governments in relationship to a new economic agreement. I am certainly hopeful that is what will occur. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question will be to the Premier. I would like to follow up on some of the comments of Mr. Picco earlier this morning. It is nice to know the Premier gets to keep his fish and as usual, Mr. Picco has fallen for the hook, line and sinker. My question to the Premier is, does this government have any policy about when it receives gifts or gives out gifts? Do we ever put any conditions on gifts this government gives, that we may wish to take them back? If this government gives a gift to another government or entity, is there a condition put on it or is there a chance this government may ask for it back at some time? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Laughter

Mr. Premier.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We would never give anybody a gift and then ask for it back. Thank you.

Oral questions. Mr. Erasmus.