Mr. Chair, I haven't thought it through in that kind of detail. I would be completely comfortable. I think that in the final analysis there has to be a working relationship, a chemistry, between the minister in the first instance at that time and.... But most importantly, I think it's the attitude of the veterans. As I said, my priorities in office were to make and maintain the trust and confidence of the veterans.
I would submit that at this point in time if my successor is chosen from the ranks of bureaucrats, the veterans will have no trust and confidence, and even, I dare say, if my successor is a veteran without adequate troop time and recognition in that respect.
So in terms of who's hiring, if it's a fixed period of time I don't think it really matters.