SHOP ASSISTANTS EMPLOYMENT BILL (Report from Select Committee)

3.48 p.m.

The Minister for Labour and Welfare (Mr Lim Yew Hock): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to move the motion standing in my name,

That the Report from the Select Committee on the Shop Assistants Employment Bill, as contained in Sessional Paper L.A. 3 of 1957, be adopted, subject to the recommittal of the Bill in respect of clause 2, clause 28, clause 29, clause 30, clause 34 and clause 50 to a Committee of the whole Assembly.

Sir, this Bill seeks to provide the same measure of protection - this time to shop assistants - as the Clerks Employment Bill which we discussed just now. I do not, therefore, propose to lengthen the debate other than to say that the clauses for recommittal are for the purpose of tidying up the Bill and correcting a few drafting errors.

Sir, the Government had hoped to introduce the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance on Labour Day, that is tomorrow, but in view of the lengthy debate on the Constitutional Talks, this is not now possible. It is hoped, therefore, that if this Bill goes through the Third Reading, the Government will introduce it as soon as possible.

Sir, certain amendments to the Clerks Employment Bill have been accepted in the debate on the previous motion and it will be necessary to make similar amendments to this Bill. The Hon. the Attorney-General will attend to these consequential amendments. Sir, I beg to move.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: I second the motion.

Question proposed.

3.50 p.m.

Mr Butterfield: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move an amendment to the motion,

After "clause 50" to insert "and clauses 6, 7, 14 and 42".

The reason for this amendment, Sir, has already been indicated by the Minister for Labour and Welfare - we wish to be consistent in this Bill, to follow some of the amendments which have been made to the Clerks Employment Bill.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: I second the amendment.

3.51 p.m.

Mr Marshall: If it please you, Mr Speaker, I am glad to see these further amendments being made in the Bill but I would like to ask in respect of clause 41, wherefor this annual leave of seven days? Sir, every civilised country that I know of gives 14 days leave to shop assistants. Here, there is no question of labourers being involved and of industrial clerks having the same conditions of service as labourers. I do not wish to lengthen this debate, Sir, and I would like an indication from the Hon. the Minister whether, if I move an amendment to change "seven" days to "fourteen" days, he will accept it. I do not wish to be committed, Sir, and then have it thrown out. Let us know his intention now, because he has got the Whip and the majority. Will he accept the amendment?

Mr Speaker: That is completely out of order. The hon. Member must move an amendment before the matter can be discussed. It is a matter of procedure.

Mr Marshall: If it please you, Mr Speaker, in that case I move an amendment to the amendment,

After clause "42" to insert "and clause 41".

Mr Speaker: Can I suggest that we first take the original amendment and then it is up to the Member for Cairnhill to move a further amendment later on? The first amendment is to insert after "clause 50" the words and figures "and clauses 6, 7, 14 and 42".

Amendment agreed to.

Mr Marshall: If it please you, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to move a further amendment,

After clause "42", to insert "and clause 41".

I understand from your ruling yesterday, Sir, that it is a matter of convention that where a Member seeks for a clause to be recommitted to a Committee of the whole House, the wish is granted. But may I say this, Sir, that if it is not the intention of Government to concede an extension of leave for shop assistants from seven days to 14 days, I do not want the clause to be recommitted on this question because it will merely waste the time of the House. So if the Hon. the Minister can indicate in reply whether he is agreeable, I can either withdraw my amendment or it can be voted out.

Mr Speaker: I have already indicated what the correct procedure is. The Member has moved an amendment and is entitled to speak at length on that motion, but it will need a seconder before it can be discussed. Can I have a seconder? No seconder? The amendment fails.

Question,

"That the Report from the Select Committee on the Shop Assistants Employment Bill, as contained in Sessional Paper L.A. 3 of 1957, be adopted, subject to the recommittal of the Bill in respect of clause 2, clause 28, clause 29, clause 30, clause 34, and clause 50 and clauses 6, 7, 14 and 42 to a Committee of the whole Assembly," put, and agreed to.