TRANSFER OF POWERS BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

3.08 p.m.

The Minister for Labour and Law (Mr K. M. Byrne): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Section 121 (2) of the Singapore (Constitution) Order in Council, 1958, provides in effect that any reference in any written law to the Governor in Council shall in relation to any period after the 3rd June, 1959, be construed as a reference to the Yang di-Pertuan Negara.

The references to the powers of the Governor in Council in the Ordinance of Singapore have been examined and it is considered that some of these powers can be more appropriately exercised by a Minister. The Bill therefore seeks to transfer such powers to a Minister. I do not propose to deal in detail with these transfers which are set out in the First Schedule to the Bill. They deal in the main with the power to make rules or regulations, the hearing and determination of appeals, the appointment of statutory boards and the making of executive orders for the administration of the Ordinance. The exercise of such powers does not, in general, raise questions of policy, and it is therefore unnecessary to refer such matters to the Cabinet so that the Cabinet can advise the Yang di-Pertuan Negara on the exercise of the powers.

The Bill also makes consequential amendments to the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance and to other Ordinances, as set out in clause 2 of the Bill and in the Second Schedule to the Bill.

Finally, the Bill seeks to repeal the Council of Ministers Powers Delegation Ordinance, as it is felt that it would be inappropriate to delegate the powers of the Cabinet to any public officer.

I might add, Sir, that the provisions of the Bill have been discussed with the United Kingdom Commission, who have agreed to its provisions.

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 Byrne].

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