In those areas, whether it's a ministerial briefing or whatever, there certainly can be exceptions to this general rule. I think what we're discussing primarily is the normal course of events of witnesses appearing, and they have something to say. We're interested in what they have to say; that's why we invited them to appear as witnesses. And then, of course, we have, as was pointed out earlier, 75 minutes of questioning to elaborate on their 10-minute opening statement.
I think we're finding a pretty good format here, if we can get the clerk to insist that some executive summary is presented--and maybe a page is enough, or two pages at the most, just a little executive summary--and that they keep it to 10 minutes.
The clerk has just advised me that he's going to bring a timer, and we'll strictly adhere to it, again at the discretion of the committee and at the will of the committee. It may be that in questions you'll bring up more stuff, but I think we should point out at the same time that the five minutes each that's allotted includes the answer time for those questions. Much of it will depend on the length and content of your questions as well.
Mr. Cullen.