SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION (Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 6 of 1958)

3.52 p.m.

The Financial Secretary (Mr T. M. Hart): Sir, I have His Excellency the Governor's authority to move,

That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $871,940 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 6 of 1958.

Sir, as soon as the elections to the District Councils have been held in the middle of this year, three District Councils will replace the present Rural Board and will be entirely responsible for the provision and maintenance of local government services in their own districts. This will involve the division of existing staff, equipment and votes of the Rural Board between the three District Councils and all necessary arrangements to this end have already been made, so that the District Councils can assume full responsibility as soon as they take office. It will, however, also involve the provision of additional staff, funds and equipment. Hon. Members have always been aware of, and have expressed their willingness to accept, the fact that the development of local government by the replacement of the Rural Board by District Councils would, at least in the early stages of the scheme, result in increased expenditure. The additional staff, funds and equipment which will be required in 1958 are shown in the Schedule attached to the Paper.

On page 2 is set out a list of the new posts which will be required to enable the District Councils to function properly.

Appendices A, B and C on pages 3 and 4 indicate the additional funds for recurrent expenditure, daily paid wages and equipment which will be required.

The requirements for additional staff and equipment have been examined with great care in the Treasury, and I can assure hon. Members that they have been reduced to the minimum which we consider essential for the task in hand. There has been no 'build-up' or extravagance in the compilation of the estimates. The funds now sought will be added to the existing Rural Board votes and apportioned in due course between the Councils along with these votes. Provision has been made for 9 months, but quite obviously the total sum thus provided will not be required. On the other hand, it is desired to recruit staff as soon as possible, so that they can be trained and experienced in their duties by the time the new Councils are set up. I can assure hon. Members that any savings which may eventuate will not be used for other purposes without the authority of the Legislature. Next year, Sir, each District Council will have its own estimates on what might be termed Rural Board lines. Sir, I beg to move.

Mr Chew Swee Kee: Sir, I second it.

Motion accordingly committed to Committee of Supply.

Motion and Schedule considered in Committee of Supply.

[Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair]

3.55 p.m.

The Chairman: The summary is at page 5.

Head 43-

The sum of $539,790 for Head 43 ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

Head D 43-

The sum of $332,150 for Head D 43 ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

The sum of $871,940 for the Heads of Expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule ordered to stand part of the motion.

Motion and Schedule reported, without amendment.

Question on the Motion put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $871,940 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 6 of 1958.