Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The same process is in place in Rankin Inlet for the houses, but not in Fort Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We will be calling for proposals to lease units in Fort Simpson.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes, it is one package. Thank you.

Mr. Chairman, I had one particular comment to make with regard to DPW. Mr. Chairman, as a Standing Committee on Finance Member I made most of my comments in SCOF, but I am still concerned as a Member at the amount of money we spend to look after the government, a total amount of $125 million. In addition to the $17 million, this is to look after the operation of $5000 for 5000 people in the territories. I think that is just too much. Does the Minister know of any way where he can look at cutting back? In a time of restraint, we go to our constituencies and see new vehicles. There is no concerted effort on the government's part to look at possibly sacrificing one year to cut back the cost of purchasing new vehicles. There is no consideration toward leasing of vehicles, as opposed to out right purchase. These are things which the government should be looking at. Has there been any consideration of how the Minister's department can try and save more money?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We are looking at different ways of cutting back to save money. We have cut back quite a bit on this year's budget. We are looking at vehicles. There is a formula for vehicles and their productive use. Once it costs more to maintain a vehicle than it is worth, we have to write it off. We encourage people not to drive around as much with the vehicles. I would be happy to take any recommendations from any of the Members with respect to other ways of saving money.

Mr. Chairman, has the Minister's department considered leasing vehicles as opposed to an out right purchase? Have they look at this and considered this concept? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We have looked into this and considered it, and the cost is higher.

Mr. Chairman, even if the cost is higher, when they were doing their formula to determine the costs, did they take into account the amount of repairs which you can generally get free under a lease concept, as opposed to an out right purchase? It would lessen the demands on the Department of Public Works with regard to repairing vehicles, keeping the garages fully maintained and other costs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Nothing is free. In any lease agreement, normally in a dry lease, you pay for any repairs. In the smaller communities, where you cannot get out to do service, many of our vehicles have to be serviced right there. In general, the leases which are available in the north, you pay the first month and second month and then you lease it for 36 months, and you pay the interest on that money for those 36 months, other than buying it out right. That is the difference. Maintenance-wise it makes no difference. If it breaks, it has to be fixed and paid for. It is called a dry rental lease. That is the way in which they do them. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It seems like it would save the government money if you looked at the lease concept. However, are there other areas of DPW which the Minister has looked at with regard to saving money. The concern which I am trying to bring forth as a Member, is that this department still serves the civil servants. The amount of money that serves 5,000 people is an exorbitant amount of money. When you look at the benefits, here we are as Members trying to get an increase in social assistance food costs of $25 million, this is peanuts compared to this amount of $125 million which this department spends on serving civil servants. What other ways have the department looked at in trying to save money?