PRIME MINISTER'S PRIVATE OFFICE AND VISITORS' LOUNGE IN CITY HALL (Cost of redecoration)

Mr S. V. Lingam asked the Prime Minister (a) what is the total cost, with breakdown details (whether under Government or City Council votes), of redecorating the Prime Minister's private office in the City Council since 5th June, 1959, including air-conditioners, panelling, carpets, furniture, curtains, etc.; and (b) what is the total cost, with breakdown details (whether under Government or City Council votes), of redecorating the Prime Minister's Visitors' Lounge for the same period.

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

The Prime Minister has no "private office". The cost of making up the two rooms on the second floor of City Hall in September 1959 for the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister was $21,468.70. The Prime Minister's room therefore cost half of this, that is, $10,734.35.

Authority for this expenditure came from the Fourth Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1959, Head 7, Subhead 15, in Command Paper (N.S.) 18 of 1959.

The cost of decorating the Prime Minister's Reception cum Conference Room is $8,825.11.

Authority for this expenditure came from the same Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1959, Head 7, Sub-head 15, in Command Paper (N.S.) 18 of 1959.

Mr Lee Khoon Choy: May I ask a supplementary question on question 6?

Mr Speaker: It is rather unusual for a Parliamentary Secretary to ask a supplementary question.

Mr Lee Khoon Choy: Will the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister tell the House how this cost compares with the cost of occupying former S.I.T. flats in Upper Pickering Street by the former Minister for National Development where he had a public office and a "secret" room to which even his Parliamentary Secretary and Permanent Secretary had no access?

Mr Speaker: That supplementary question has no reference whatsoever to the question before the House. Mr Lingam, question No. 7.