Has the Minister finished answering Question No. 27?

I have answered Question No. 28, Sir.

He flashed past unnoticed.

I was asked to answer Question No. 28 by the Chair and I answered it.

Sir, you called No. 28 as I was digesting the Minister's reply to No. 27. Could I ask him one question? The Minister did outline in his speech on Second Stage the industrial development components of that consortium three or four weeks ago. Is the House to take it that it has not been possible even to call a meeting of the components of this consortium so far?

Certain preliminary work needs to be done, a certain amount of which I would like to be involved in myself. Over the past four weeks or so I have physically not had the time to do it, much as I would have wished to have done it and much as I regard this as very desirable.

I know the Minister is very busy, but would I be right in guessing that a lot of that preliminary work is trying to think up things for this consortium to do?

No, that would not be right.

I am afraid it is all too right.