We will look at the transcript and see how you managed the time. I'm very unhappy about the way it has gone.
I do have one closing question to the secretary.
A few years back a committee that was studying agriculture made a recommendation to the House that we have a vote on the future of the Wheat Board. Some of us around the table were members of that committee.
The trouble I have with this whole business is that the government, rather than having an open vote, has a parliamentary secretary sitting before this committee saying that he and apparently the government are opposed to the vote. Does the government have a position to have an open vote on the Wheat Board, or does it have a definite program to see that the Wheat Board is closed?
In terms of his oath of office, could the parliamentary secretary say whether he represents an open vote where farmers can decide the future of their sales, or does he promote the concept that the Wheat Board should end in terms of being the sales agent for the many farmers in western Canada?
David, from my point of view, it's simply inconceivable that you as a parliamentary secretary can sit before this committee and advocate a personal point of view rather than representing the Government of Canada.
Mr. Chair, that is a very serious matter, which we, as a committee, have to address. Can he hold his office and advocate what the answer to that vote should be?