Mr. Speaker, it would be a sham if we debated after they were committed. It is then just an information giving session.
I do not think that is the intention of the government. The government is committed to having a debate in the House before committing troops, as the hon. member has suggested.
We are looking very carefully at costs. In some of those situations, for example in the former Yugoslavia at the moment, the UN underwrites a considerable amount of the cost and in others there is hardly any underwriting. It is only fair since it is the public's purse that these things be discussed.
The minister is prepared to do that. It is all part of what has been happening, to get this going so there is more transparency and more input. I cannot fault the minister. He has made the point and he will continue to make the point that he will listen to that. The hon. member's point is well taken.