GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIAL CARS USED BY PRIME MINISTER, MINISTERS AND PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES (Statistics)

Mr S. V. Lingam asked the Prime Minister (a) what is the total number of Government and official cars being used by the Prime Minister, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries; (b) to give details of the cost per month in respect of (i) wages and overtime pay, provident fund contributions and quarters for chauffeurs; (ii) road tax; (iii) petrol and lubricants; (iv) maintenance, such as repairs, replacement of tyres, etc.; and (v) estimated depreciation, or loss of income from hire; and (c) to give the following details of each car:- (i) registration number; (ii) by whom is the car used; (iii) model; and (iv) whether any chauffeur is provided.

Mr Chan Sun Wing (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by the Prime Minister to reply to this question:

(a) Ministers, when travelling on official duty, use cars from the Government pool which consists of: 3 State cars (including the former Mayor's car); 1 official car.

Parliamentary Secretaries use Government transport only on ceremonial occasions.

(b) (i) Wages for chauffeurs - $468.75 per month for three drivers. Overtime pay - $12 per month (average). Provident Fund - $23.43 per month for three drivers. Quarters for drivers - No free quarters are provided.

(b) (ii) Road tax - $28 per month for three cars.

(b) (iii) Petrol and lubricants - $259.85 per month for three cars (average).

(b) (iv) Maintenance such as repairs, etc - $155.82 for the three cars (average). Payment to City Council for use of former Mayor's car - $240 per month (average).

(b) (v) Nil.

(c) (i) The registration numbers of the cars are S1, S3 and SR2.

(c) (ii) S3 and SR2 are normally used by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister respectively. All cars are used by Ministers and visiting dignitaries.

(c) (iii) S1 - 8-year old Humber Pull-man 1952 model.

S3 - 5-year old Super Snipe 1955 model.

SR2 - 5-year old Humber Hawk 1955 model.

(c) (iv) The cars are looked after and driven by syces.

Mr S. V. Lingam: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Ministers and Assistant Ministers of the previous Government did not use official cars?

Mr Chan Sun Wing: We are not responsible for the previous Government.

Mr Ong Eng Guan: Mr Speaker, could the Parliamentary Secretary give us the number of cars that are being reserved for the use of Parliamentary Secretaries on so-called "ceremonial occasions"?

Mr Chan Sun Wing: No, it is not true.

Mr Ong Eng Guan: Mr Speaker, I want the number: either yes or no, or one or five?

Mr Speaker: Could the hon. Member repeat the question?

Mr Ong Eng Guan: Mr Speaker, could the Parliamentary Secretary give us the figure of transport used by Parliamentary Secretaries on only so-called ceremonial occasions?

Mr Chan Sun Wing: None.