Mr. Chairman, I would like to refer back to the Financial Administration Act. The item that the Minister is referring to is actually a 44(2)(b) and I will read it.

No person shall enter into a contract or assume an obligation for or on behalf of the government that requires an expenditure in a subsequent fiscal year unless:

b)the contract is entered into or the obligation assumed in accordance with the directions of the Minister whose department administers the contract for any particular case or class of cases

Mr. Chairman, the deputy minister stated last week that he did not inform the Minister of the signing of the Lahm Ridge Tower lease. It says right here that it cannot be entered into without the direction of the Minister. This does not give him direction to sign a multi-year lease. What is the explanation of this?