We have no objection to this amendment. I can simply say that the reason we put three years was originally to facilitate the recruitment of the parliamentary budget officer. Our thinking at the time was that perhaps if your're looking for someone in the academic community to come and occupy that position, it would be easier to recruit that person if he or she were to commit to a shorter period than seven years. But we have no objection at all to extending this period.
On June 13th, 2006. See this statement in context.