TRANSFER OF POWERS (NO. 2) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

3.13 p.m.

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

Section 121 (2) (a) of the Singapore (Constitution) Order in Council, 1958, provides in effect that any reference to the Governor in any written law of Singapore 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 Governor in the Ordinances of Singapore have been examined and in some cases it is considered that the powers given to the Governor can be more appropriately exercised by a Minister. This Bill, therefore, seeks to transfer such powers to a Minister. I do not propose to deal with the transfers in detail. They deal for the most part with appointments of public officers to statutory posts, the making of rules and regulations, the hearing of appeals and the making of orders for the administration of Ordinances. The exercise of these powers does not raise questions of policy and it is felt that a reference to the Cabinet, in such cases to enable the Cabinet to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Negara is unnecessary.

The Bill also seeks to make a number of miscellaneous amendments rendered necessary by the transfer of powers to Ministers. For example, whenever the Governor was required to act by proclamation, it is proposed that when the power is to be exercised by a Minister, it should be done by notification.

Since the introduction of the Bill, its provisions have been discussed with the United Kingdom Commission, and I will at the Committee Stage of this Bill move two amendments which have been suggested to the Bill.

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.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

3.17 p.m.

Clauses 1 to 4 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

First Schedule -

Mr Byrne: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

In page 2, line 9, to leave out "80 (2),".

This appears to be a matter of discipline and the powers should be exercised by the Yang di-Pertuan Negara on the advice of the Public Service Commission.

Amendment agreed to.

The Chairman: There is a note in page 3, line 26, to leave out "(14)" and insert "(4)". That was a printer's error. "14" does not appear on the presentation copy.

First Schedule, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Second Schedule-

Mr Byrne: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

In page 7, lines 34 to 37, to leave out- 'Section 3 (2) Delete the words "with the prior approval of the Secretary of State" appearing in the first and second lines thereof.'.

Mr Speaker, Sir, it is necessary to retain the references to the Secretary of State as this matter relates to foreign affairs and defence.

Amendment agreed to.

Second Schedule, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

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