EXEMPTED BUSINESS (Motions)

The Chief Minister rose -

Mr Speaker: Order. Is it a business motion?

The Chief Minister: Thank you, Mr Speaker, it is. Under the provisions of Standing Order 7 (11), I beg to move,

That the proceedings on the business set down this day as items 1, 2 and 3 of the Order Paper be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order 7.

Items 2 and 3. Sir, are related to the Budget and I am sure hon. Members would like to have these matters disposed of today.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: What about item 4?

Mr Speaker: Order. The matter should be put on a proper plane. I draw the attention of the Hon. the Chief Minister to Standing Order 69 (2), the last sentence:

"One day shall be allotted for the second reading of the Bill and at 4.00 p.m. on that day the Speaker shall put any questions necessary to bring the proceedings on second reading to a conclusion."

It is therefore necessary first to dispose of that provision before we suspend Standing Order 7. I suggest then that the Chief Minister first move a motion that, notwithstanding the relevant Standing Order, proceedings on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill be continued after 4.00 p.m. this day.

The Chief Minister: I am grateful for your guidance, Sir,I move,

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 69, proceedings on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill be continued after 4.00 p.m. this day.

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

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 69, proceedings on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill be continued after 4.00 p.m. this day.

3.07 p.m.

The Chief Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, I now move,

That the proceedings on the business set down this day as items 1, 2 and 3 of the Order Paper be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order 7.

Mr T. M. Hart: I second it.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew rose -

Mr Speaker: There is no debate on that Question.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Sir, I wish to move an amendment. May I ask the Hon. the Chief Minister why he does not wish to include item 4?

The Chief Minister: As I explained earlier, Sir, items 2 and 3 are related to the Budget. I am sure hon. Members would like to dispose of these two motions in items 2 and 3 today.

Mr Speaker: There is nothing to prevent the hon. Member for Tanjong Pagar from moving an amendment simpliciter - there can be no debate.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Mr Speaker, Sir, I move,

After '3', to insert ',4'.

Inche Ahmad Bin Ibrahim (Sembawang): Sir, I second it.

Question put, "That the figure proposed to be inserted, be there inserted."

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Division, Sir.

The House divided: Ayes, 3; Noes, 17; Abstentions, 8; Absent, 2; Paired, 2. Ayes Noes Ahmad bin Ibrahim. Abdul Hamid bin Goh Chew Chua. Haji Jumat. Lee Kuan Yew. Braga, A. J. Chew Swee Kee. Abstentions Hart, T. M. Ede, John. Jumabhoy, J. M. Goh Tong Liang. Lim Cher Kheng. Jumabhoy, R. Lim, R. C. H. Lee Choon Eng. Lim Yew Hock. Lim Choon Mong. Mak Pak Shee. Seah Peng Chuan. Mohamed Sidik bin Soh Ghee Soon. Haji Abdul Hamid. Tan, William. Nair, M. P. D. Ong Piah Teng. Absent Shanks, E. P. Lazarous, A. R. Stewart, S. T. Lim Ching Siong. Sutherland, G. A. P. Tan Theng Chiang. Thomas, Francis. Paired Lim Koon Teck. Wong Foo Nam.

Question on the amendment accordingly negatived.

Original Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That the proceedings on the business set down this day as items 1, 2 and 3 of the Order Paper be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order 7.