I can tell the hon. member that I agree with him that the matter is of national interest. As he said in his own statement, if there is to be such an announcement it would be made in March. The House will be sitting most of the month of February. It seems to me if there is an emergency, the matter will be one that will have ample opportunity for discussion.
We have had numerous debates on the subject of the fishery over the last year, which I could go into in detail. In the circumstances, I do not feel that the hon. member's request meets the exigencies of the Standing Order at this time and I stress that.