APPORTIONMENT OF RENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

The Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing (Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

This Bill is a measure designed to make improvements in the machinery dealing with the apportionment of rents for Crown leases. Under the Apportionment of Rents Ordinance, which came into force on the 30th of April, 1909, a lessee, or any person interested, can apply to the Collector of Land Revenue for the apportionment of rent due to the Crown whenever a portion of the land held under the lease is assigned. Very few applications, however, have been made and it is considered that the Collector should be empowered to apportion rent on a sub-division without application being made to him. This power will not only enable a purchaser to know the exact rental due to the Crown but will also allow the Collector to clear up old subdivisions and correct the records.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.