Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have a return to an oral question asked by the honourable Member, Jake Ootes on May 26th on the termination benefits for laidoff employees.

During the period when the Government of the Northwest Territories was restructuring, an employee in the Personnel Secretariat, Department of the Executive was designated and tasked with overseeing the administration of termination benefits of laidoff employees. The central specialist was in this position for the time that the government was undergoing major downsizing in the number of staff.

In September of 1997, individual departments assumed full responsibility for all aspects of layoff administration. The Personnel Secretariat was available to provide advice and assistance during the transition to ensure consistency across departments, revised guidelines and procedures for layoffs have been implemented. Thank you.