SINGAPORE SAILORS' INSTITUTE INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

11.05 a.m.

The Minister for Commerce and Industry (Mr J. M. Jumabhoy): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Clause 2 of the Bill repeals and reenacts section 7 of the Singapore sailors' Institute Incorporation Ordinance which contains provisions relating to the constitution of the Committee of Management of the Singapore Sailors' Institute. The power to appoint members of the Committee is at present vested in the Governor, but is now being transferred to the Minister following the precedent set in other statutory bodies dealing with marine and seafarers' affairs. The Chairman remains as at present ex-officio, namely, the officer performing the duties of Master Attendant. The distinction at present drawn between ex-officio and unofficial members is removed, as also is the present stipulation that one of the unofficial members shall be a pilot on the Register of the Pilot Board nominated by that Board. Instead the Minister will appoint not more than six members one of whom is to be the nominee of the Bishop of Singapore. It would, of course, be open to the Minister to appoint persons to stand for the interests at present represented on the Committee. The abrogation of the ex-officio appointments obviously needs an amendment of the Ordinance due to mutations in titles of offices and changes in the duties of their holders.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Assembly.

Assembly immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. [Mr J. M. Jumabhoy.]

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read the Third time and passed.