REARRANGEMENT OF ORDER OF BUSINESS

Mr Speaker: Is the Prime Minister taking his business motion* now?

• The motion, standing in the name of the Prime Minister, reads as follows:-

That the proceedings on the motion in regard to a referendum being held for the people to decide between two alternatives of reunification standing in my name, and the motion in the names of the Members for Anson and Queenstown that the people of Singapore shall be asked only one question on Polling Day and that Government shall name Polling Day as a day four weeks from the date of the Order therefor, and another motion in the names of the Members for Queenstown and Upper Serangoon that the House condemns the Government for its dishonest and malicious distortion of the Opposition's stand on the merger issue, shall all be brought to a conclusion at 12 midnight on the 11th July, 1962.

The Prime Minister (Mr Lee Kuan Yew): Now, Sir.

Mr Speaker: That business motion, of course, also takes in items 11 and 12 on the Order Paper. Perhaps it would be convenient if there is also a business motion moved under Standing Order 10, paragraph 2 - "That items 11 and 12 on the Order Paper be taken immediately after item 3."

The Prime Minister: That is not the intention. The intention is that, since it is not anticipated that there will be any debate of any length on items 4 to 10 (since they are all going to Select Committee, except items 4 and 5 which are non-controversial), items 11 and 12 be taken after item 10.

Mr Speaker: After item 10?

The Prime Minister: Yes.

Mr Speaker: In that case the business motion can be "That item 3 be taken after item 10." Is that it?

The Prime Minister: That is so.

Mr Speaker: Will the Prime Minster please move?

The Prime Minister: Sir, I move under Standing Order 10 (2), That item 3 on the Order Paper be taken after item 10.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That item 3 on the Order Paper be taken after item 10.

2.37 p.m.