Senator Faulkner asked the Minister representing the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 16 June 1997:

(1) Has the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada invited the Government to send a minister to a party fundraising dinner in the second half of 1997.

(2) Who does the Government propose to send.

(3) How does the Government justify such expenditure of taxpayers' money.

Senator Hill —The Prime Minister has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1)—(3) Canada, as the honourable senator would be aware, is this year's host of the APEC Leaders' Summit and numerous Ministerial APEC meetings. A Minister would not travel overseas for the purpose of attending a function of the kind referred to in the honourable senator's question. However, if such a function coincided with essential overseas travel, consideration would be given to a proffered invitation.