Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, you've referred to different MOUs that were signed as this program evolved. I think you're correct in saying that there has been a series of different MOUs signed by previous governments and your own government.
Is it not correct, however, that in the most recent MOU, or the 2006 MOU that was signed by your government, in article 3.2 it makes it very clear that the actual procurement of a joint strike fighter will be subject to the participants' national laws and regulations and outcome with respect to the national procurement and decision-making process?
What I'm saying is that I don't think it's as simple as you say, that if we decided to have a competitive process we would somehow be breaking the MOU and getting out of the MOU, and therefore be unable to benefit from the investments that previous governments, and your own, have made, I think with considerable value. Why could we not participate through the MOU in a more open and transparent process, where we might learn, for example, the statement of requirements that you've referred to this morning?