Mr. Speaker, I have explained already the fact that there are two types of budgets. Departmental budgets are there in order to study and implement government policies. There are strict rules of employment. There are also exempt staff budgets. They are called that because the staff is exempt from certain rules. These rules exist as much for members of Parliament as they exist for ministers. There are hon. members by the way who have their campaign managers on staff and I can name them.
Under exempt staff rules the minister can employ staff who have a partisan relationship, and they are exempted by the rules from the normal rules that apply to the public service.