Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of National Defence. Last week the Minister of Transport announced that he had asked the auditor general to review the $380 million contract awarded to Hughes Aircraft Canada for automation of the air traffic control system. Work on this contract is already two years behind schedule, and the total cost may be two and a half times the initial cost.
What explanation does the Minister of National Defence have for the fact that his department approved a similar contract for $70 million with Hughes Aircraft Canada, when more than 16 months ago, he was informed by federal auditors of the delays and cost overruns that occurred in the case of the contract with Transport Canada?