Canadian Foreign Policy  Mr. Speaker, I find interesting the specific reference made by my colleague from Red Deer to a Scandinavian country which, everyone knows, has experienced over the last few years a growth in public spending for which it now has to bear the consequences. I think he has deliberately targetted a Scandinavian country to illustrate his point.

Canadian Foreign Policy  Mr. Speaker, last February 17, the government invited this House to a third debate on national defence launching the process that would lead to the review of Canada's defence policy. At that time, I mentioned the contradiction in the fact that the government was entering into such a debate before declaring what its own directions, its own intentions were on the subject of defence.

Customs Tariff  Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to confirm, as we did at second reading, the support of the Bloc Quebecois and Official Opposition for this bill that we consider extremely important, as it provides indirectly for development assistance and is therefore, in our opinion, a bill with a most commendable and honourable purpose.

Customs Tariff  Mr. Chairman, a while ago the minister hinted that the Canadian business community had asked to be consulted on the question of the General Preferential Tariff. We are pleased to hear this and we can understand its position. The minister indicated that he was willing to go along with the request and that he would consult with the Canadian business community.

Customs Tariff  Mr. Chairman, please allow me to ask my second question again. The minister has been implying since the beginning of our committee's proceedings that members of Parliament and committees can ask to be consulted on issues like that one. Since the beginning of the present session, the government has been saying it wants to consult members in this House or in the various committees.

Customs Tariff  Mr. Chairman, a few minutes ago, the minister was saying that the classification used by the federal government is based on the United Nations classification. The question I am asking myself is whether we should consider South Korea or Singapore as less developed countries or as developing countries.

Customs Tariff  Mr. Chairman, I assume that at this stage we can put questions to the minister before the bill's single clause is passed. Clause-by-clause consideration should not take very long! On second reading of Bill C-5 a few days ago, we expressed some reservations about this bill which mainly concerned two questions.

Customs Tariff  Mr. Chairman, we would like to see parliamentarians consulted about any changes in the GPT, simply because of the political overtones and possibly the political consequences that these changes might have. The reason I mention this-in fact, the hon. member for Louis-Hébert and I both brought this up in our speeches is that today, some countries that benefit under the GPT can no longer be called developing countries, and I am thinking specifically of Singapore and South Korea.

Trade  Mr. Speaker, my supplemental is for the Prime Minister. Given the considerable economic interests at stake, does he not believe that the time has come for him to take up the matter directly with his US counterpart in order to put an end to the harassment that Canadian industry is experiencing?

Trade  Mr. Speaker, at the conclusion of a recent visit to Washington, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said that Canada had made a number of major diplomatic concessions to the United States, particularly on the issue of air strikes in Bosnia, the Freedom space station and the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, this is already the second time I have the opportunity to discuss directly with my colleague from St. Albert on budget issues and, each time, I am under the impression that the hon. member for St. Albert does not listen carefully to what I say. Duplication was mentioned as one of the factors behind the lack of budget efficiency within the federal system; other causes could have been indicated.

The Budget  First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague for his question. The hon. member commented on one part of my speech where I most specifically addressed the issue of costs inherent to our federal system. I mentioned of course the costly overlap and duplication, but I could also have talked about the scattering of public moneys all across Canada, supposedly to defend regional interests and to avoid offending regional susceptibilities.

The Budget  Mr. Speaker, we have come to the stage in today's proceedings, pursuant to the Standing Orders of the House, when we resume debate the budget speech. For several days now, members have had the opportunity to voice their concerns about the budgetary provisions. However, I think we can rightfully ask ourselves the following question: What is the government going to do with the views expressed in this House on the budget?

Cod Fishing  Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, NAFO, agreed yesterday to put in place a one-year moratorium on cod fishing in the southern region of the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland. Earlier, I heard my colleague say how delighted he was about it.

Cod Fishing  Mr. Speaker, I understand the answer the minister just gave us. However, will the Deputy Prime Minister, the minister or God knows who from the other side of the House, acknowledge the fact that this moratorium will have a limited scope, since Norway and the European Union have refused to support the moratorium other members of NAFO have agreed upon?