HOTELS (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

3.13 p.m.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Ong Pang Boon): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

This is a short and simple Bill, the urgency of which is due to the fact that the life of the current Hotels Licensing Board expired on 10th August, 1959, and new appointments are necessary. In accordance with the provisions of the existing section 3 of the Hotels Ordinance, 1959, this Board consisted of a Chairman appointed by the Governor in Council and not less than six members elected by the Justices of the Peace from among themselves and appointed by the Governor in Council.

The new Government considers, however, that in view of the new constitutional changes, it would now be more appropriate for the Minister to appoint the Chairman and members of the Board.

The amendment will also enable to Minister to choose from a wider field of selection suitable persons for appointment as members who could reflect the new Government's attitude on social vices. It is a logical step to expect that after the closure of pin-tables and juke boxes and gambling dens, the Government should now pay very close attention to bawdy houses and brothels disguised as; legitimate hotels.

Clause 2 of this Bill, therefore, amends section 3 of the Hotels Ordinance, 1954, to reconstitute the Board on the lines which I have mentioned. 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 into a Committee on the Bill -[Mr Ong Pang Boon].

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