FEDERATION OF MALAYA CUSTOMS DUTIES COLLECTION BILL

Order for Committee stage read.

Bill considered in Committee.

11.35 a.m.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 2 -

The Financial Secretary (Mr T. M. Hart): Sir, I beg to move,

In page 2, line 12, to leave out "or Settlement".

This definition was drafted before the Federation of Malaya achieved independence, but owing to an oversight, it has not been amended in the light of the constitutional changes which followed the event.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 3-

Mr Hart: Sir, I beg to move,

In page 3, lines 30 and 31, to leave out', hereinafter in this Ordinance called the "Collector",'.

Here again this description is unnecessary in view of the definition in clause 2.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 3, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 4-

Mr Hart: Sir, I beg to move,

In page 3, line 41, to leave out "called".

Here again the word "called" is unnecessary in view of the definition of "Federal Revenue Officer" in clause 2.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 4, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 5 to 11 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 12-

The Chairman: There are typographical amendments which will be made.

Mr Hart: Thank you, Sir,I now beg to move.

In page 6, line 22, to leave out "such removal" and insert "the payment of the customs duty".

The words "such removal" do not appear to be related to any other part of the clause, and the amendment will clarify the position.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 12, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 13 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 14-

Mr Hart: Sir, I beg to move,

In page 6, line 33, to leave out "at the collection station for despatch" and insert "for despatch at or through the collection station".

As drafted, the clause does not preclude the possibility of goods beiig loaded elsewhere than at the collection station, but actually despatched from the collection station. The amendment which has been suggested is more comprehensive and tightens the clause.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 14, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 15 to 45 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 46-

Mr Hart: Sir, I beg to move,

In page 18, line 41, after "of", to insert "non-dutiable or".

As drafted, the clause makes the removal of all goods an offence, but only prescribes penalties if the goods are dutiable or prohibited. The amendment provides a penalty for the removal of non-dutiable goods.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 46, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill..

Clause 47 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 48-

Mr Hart: Sir, I beg to move,

In page 20, line 5, after "officer", to insert "or such other person".

This amendment is required in view of the reference to "or other person" made earlier in the clause.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 48, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 49 to 56 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 57-

The Chairman: There is a typographical error and correction will be made.

Clause 57 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported with amendments; read the Third time and passed.