IMPROVEMENT RATE

The Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing (Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion standing in my name,

That this Assembly approves the improvement rate of 2 per centum on the annual value of all houses, buildings, lands and tenements within the City of Singapore, fixed by the Singapore Improvement Trust under section 22 (1) of the Singapore Improvement Ordinance (Cap. 134) for the year 1956.

The approval of this Assembly is required under the Singapore Improvement Ordinance for this rate. This rate cannot, by law, exceed five per cent on property within the City area. Hitherto, the rate has always been two per cent and the Trustees recommend no change in the rate for 1956.

This rate, which is in lieu of the improvement rates referred to in section 59 of the Municipal Ordinance (Cap.133), is collected by the City Council and paid over half-yearly to the Trustees of the Singapore Improvement Trust. The monies from this rate, together with the equivalent Government contribution under section 23 of the Singapore Improvement Ordinance (Cap. 134), are estimated at $2,475,000 and form one of the major items of revenue of the Trust and are paid into the Improvement funds. This is spent on improvement schemes, the rehousing of persons dehoused under the schemes, the opening of backlanes, provision of open spaces in congested areas, and generally in the maintenance of the general improvement plan. The proportion of expenditure for the improvement functions of the Trust is distinct from its housing functions, and is estimated to be round about $2.743 million, so that the improvement rate of two per cent in 1956 is reasonable. Sir, I beg to move.

The Financial Secretary (Mr T. M. Hart): I second it.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly approves the improvement rate of 2 per centum on the annual value of all houses, buildings, lands and tenements within the City of Singapore, fixed by the Singapore Improvement Trust under section 22 (1) of the Singapore Improvement Ordinance (Cap. 134) for the year 1956.