Yes, Mr. Speaker, I will send out a directive that ensures that we are adhering to the existing business incentive policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I am always somehow apprehensive, where there is a clearly defined policy, clearly defined rules and regulations for government employees to abide by, about overriding that thing by a straight directive. I think what we would prefer to do is to say to our people that are managing these projects that we want, as much as possible, to see those businesses that are northern, that employ northern people, to get the benefits of the contracts let by this government, within reason, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps I could just say to the House that we could send out a directive that ensures that the present policy is adhered to and if there is ever a situation that is quite close, then having it referred to the Government Leader's office may be the way to resolve the issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is an existing business incentives policy. I am afraid to say, sir, that it does not always work in favour or northern contractors. I freely admit that. I think Members on the other side are aware of that, as well. I guess in the meantime, before we can get a new policy before cabinet and take it to SCOF, the Members should be assured that we will do everything we can as Ministers to indicate to our departments that supporting northern business is supporting businesses that employ northern people, and it is the thing that we wish to be done. It is going to have to be a little bit on faith in the meantime, Mr. Speaker, and if Members are aware of instances where those kinds of things are not being adhered to, then they should inform the appropriate Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I think if the policy, as it is coming forward right now, were looked at by this House, it would not be acceptable because it does not address the concerns of that particular motion. It still does not say the kinds of things that people in this House have said, so we are looking at it again. As the Minister said, my department and his department will be working together to bring the matter forward to cabinet sometime in January to address this issue and still allow some flexibility with government spending. We would propose to put this before the standing committee on finance sometime in February. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table Tabled Document 9-12(1), NWTPC Cost of Service Review, December 1991, a report of the Public Utilities Board respecting the proposed cost of service methodology of the Northwest Territories Power Corporation, and an executive summary in Inuktitut. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I believe it is a limited co-operative, but I will look into the matter and get back to the House.

Mr. Speaker, the previous Minister had incorporated most of the loans into one consolidated loan fund, and that presently seems to be working quite well. There is quite a demand on that fund and I am presently doing a review of it. We are aware that the co-operatives are looking at some kind of banking institution, and we are awaiting that proposal.

Mr. Speaker, when the Government Leader announced the 90-day freeze, et cetera, I think most Members would agree that there was an appeal process for all of the cutbacks, including vacancies, including anything that was considered essential. The Government Leader's office has been tremendously busy with appeals, and they have all been dealt with.

We have purposely said to Ministers and deputy ministers that they are going to have to use common sense and we are going to have to manage our way out of the situation. We are expecting those people in the departments who are receiving that direction to act responsibly. So if there are things going on in departments that are causing severe hardship or that are causing mental frustration or have the likelihood of causing, as the Member suggestions, some unrest in an institute, then we would like to know about it so we can correct it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, if the Department of Social Services is making those Bic razors go for a week instead of one day, I am simply delighted. Thank you.