Madam Speaker, I appreciate the question from the minister of defence. The Reform Party did call for reductions in the area of defence spending based on budget figures of some eight to twelve months ago. Things have changed somewhat in the interim. However, our figure at that time was in the area I believe of 25 per cent, around $2 billion dollars.
In terms of where we are at the present time, we support the reductions that have been made. We are concerned, however, that we sort of put the cart before the horse.
Like other members, and I am sure the minister would like to have done this, we would like to have been able to examine Canada's defence position in total. Then, once we have agreed as to what our objectives are, we could work back and have the budget facility there to support those objectives.
I am sure the minister would like to have done that and we would as well. Under the circumstances, we cannot always have the conditions that are most favourable.
Concerning the reductions that have been made, we support those. I think now we should get on quickly and do the review so that we can then look at whether further reductions can be made.
In terms of specifics, as a caucus or a group we have not done an analysis of each one of the bases. I cannot answer the hon. minister's question regarding that. If I had the information, I would lay it on the table. Our caucus has not taken a step-by-step procedure through which we have made a judgment on each one of those bases.