Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that the 690 process as described by the hon. member can be improved. Equally, I am certain that the procedure now in place is capable of dealing fairly and fully with all of the applications that are pending.
Let me point out to the hon. member that we have already made improvements in the process during the last several months. I refer, for example, to the fact that in the case involving Colin Thatcher, which was dealt with by reasons given some months ago, I took the trouble to spell out the principles that governed the disposition of applications under 690 to remove some of the mystery the hon. member has referred to.
In cases that are pending I have brought in outside counsel where I felt it consistent with fairness. Finally, I am completing an inventory of all outstanding cases and establishing a timetable to get them all decided at the earliest possible date.