Thank you, Mr.. Chairman. This has to be one of the longest job interviews that anyone has to go through that I've experienced.

I have two questions for each candidate. My first question is on deficit reduction. It relates to the public service. It seems to me that the easy thing is to reduce the public service which, to me, is a very valuable resource. There is concern by the public service today about their own security. They feel that they will be the target because· of deficit reduction. Can I get the views and comments of each of the candidates to tell me how they would allay the fears of the public service and what their views are on the present level of public service?