Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Often times when departments would present their business plans or budgets to us, we would often see the category "other expenses", and there would often be significant amounts of funds in there. Only under questioning would we be advised as to what those amounts represented and what the purpose of the funds was.
It was surprising to us the number of different items that could get lumped together under "other expenses". We would hope that in terms ensuring open and transparent government, we could have a much easier time of understanding what the government is spending its money on. We think it is absolutely essential that there be a better definition of what can be included in other expenses, and that it becomes much easier for everybody to understand what it is we are asked to approve. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.