REDUCTION OF CITY COUNCIL 1959 EXPENDITURE

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Prime Minister to state the amount of reduction of the City Council 1959 expenditure occasioned by the cut in variable allowance.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Mr Chan Sun Wing) (for the Prime Minister): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, I have been asked by the Prime Minister to reply.

The cut in the variable allowances was made in the City Council as from 1st July, 1959. For the six-month period, the savings are approximately $849,000.

As from 1st January, 1960, the technical and professional allowances that will be paid to Government servants will also be paid to City Council officers who qualify under the rules. Therefore, the savings for 1960 will be somewhat less. It is not possible to assess now how much will be paid out in these technical and professional allowances.