Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This issue is one that has come up when we have talked about some of the larger privatization initiatives that are being considered now, such as systems and computer services, for example. Some consideration was given to actually proceeding with a negotiated contract with the existing staff. However, we rejected that and decided that, when we do move in this direction, we would put it out to public tender so those companies that are starting to get a foothold in the business will have the same opportunity to take on the job as any staff who might form their own companies or who might go out and work for them. That is another opportunity that many of the staff will have in some of these larger privatizations.

When that process occurs, the documents that are provided to the public to enable them to submit bids contain enough information to give them an overview of the service to be performed and the environment within which they will do it. While there may be a slight advantage to some of the staff who currently work there, it wouldn't be enough of an advantage to win the bid unless they were seriously competitive. We think there are enough safeguards built in to allow for a reasonably competitive process.