Rosbif:
With regard to your opining on telling the truth versus being dishonest may I suggest an old saying?
"When in Rome do as the Romans do."
When dealing with Transport Canada I have learned the hard way that you are better off lying if it suits your agenda, if caught in a lie I can produce a letter from the top bureaucrat in TC in Ottawa that clearly states that dishonesty is to quote him.
" I find their handling of this matter to be quite satisfactory and they have my full support"
His letter was in answer to proven lying and gross dishonesty by several of TC's top managers.
Bottom line do whatever you have to when dealing with people of that moral ilk.
Chuck Ellsworth