VISITS TO INDONESIA (Subsistence allowances)

Mr William Tan asked the Financial Secretary what subsistence or other allowances from public funds in addition to their salaries were granted to the Chief Minister and his ministerial colleagues during their first Goodwill Mission to Indonesia; and whether allowances on the same scale were granted to the official members of the Pan Malayan Economic Working Party during their recent visit to Indonesia.

Mr T. M. Hart: Members of the Goodwill Mission were the guests of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, and no charge for accommodation fell on public funds.

The cost of hotel accommodation for the Pan-Malayan Economic Working Party was paid from Singapore funds, and averaged about $53 a head per day.

In addition, Ministerial members of both the Goodwill Mission and the Working Party were paid an expense allowance of $20 a day to cover incidental expenditure on such items as gratuities, laundry and minor entertainment.