In September 2000, the cost at current foreign exchange rates, together with contractual price escalations, had risen to R43,8 billion. This figure, which was quoted by the Department of Defence at the Committee's hearing of the Department on 11 October 2000 and which was later acknowledged by the National Treasury in writing, excluded the interest obligations which would arise from the associated loans. The Committee expresses its concern at the possibility of the overall cost of the arms packages increasing further over the term of the contracts concerned. As all this is hugely material to the public interest, the Committee believes that the public should have been informed of these possibilities.