PAWNBROKERS (AMENDMENT) BILL (As reported from Select Committee)

Order for Third Reading read

Mr Speaker: Notice has been given by the Minister for Home Affairs that he desires to delete clause 5 of the Bill and wishes to introduce a new clause.

The Bill accordingly stands recommitted to a Committee of the whole Assembly in respect of clause 5 thereof and of the new clause. Any other Member who wishes to propose other amendments or other new clauses or any schedules may now give notice of his desire.

No other Member giving notice-

Mr Speaker: Committee Stage, what day?

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Ong Pang Boon): Now, Sir.

Mr Speaker: The Assembly will now resolve itself into a Committee on the Bill.

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

7.59 p.m.

Clause 5-

Question proposed, "That clause 5 stand part of the Bill."

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to introduce a new clause.

The Chairman: We are still on clause 5. If the Minister wishes to make his speech, he can do so, explaining why clause 5 should be deleted. He may prefer to make his speech after the introduction of the new clause.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: I will do that, Sir.

Question put, and negatived.

Clause 5 accordingly disagreed to.

New clause- 'Amendment of Section 13, of the Pawnbrokers section 13. Ordinance is hereby amended by inserting immediately after subsection (4) thereof the following new subsections:- "(5) The Minister may by order amend the rate of profits and charges specified in Schedule B to this Ordinance. (6) All orders made under subsection (5) of this section shall be published in the Gazette and shall be presented to the Legislative Assembly as soon as may be after publication and if a resolution is passed pursuant to a motion notice whereof has been given for a sitting day not later than the first available sitting day of the Assembly next after the expiry of three months from the date when such orders are so presented annulling the orders or any part thereof as from a specified date, such orders or such part thereof as the case may be shall thereupon become void as from such date but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder or to the making of new orders.".'.-[Mr Ong Pang Boon].

Brought up, and read the First time.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the clause be read a Second time." -

The Chairman: Order. Moment of interruption.

Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the Assembly.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee has made some progress on the Bill, and beg leave to sit again on Monday, 16th May.

Mr Speaker: So be it.