CINEMATOGRAPH FILM HIRE DUTY BILL

3.21 p.m. Order for Second Reading read.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Sir, prior to Malaysia the Cinematograph Film Hire Duty Ordinance, 1959, regulated the business of the hiring and renting of cinematograph films and provided for the imposition of film-hire duty on the renting of films and the control of charges of admission to a cinema, theatre or other places, where such films are exhibited.

In June 1965, when Singapore was still part of Malaysia, this Ordinance was repealed by the Malaysian Cinematograph Film Hire Duty Act, 1965.

Now that Singapore is no longer part of Malaysia but is a sovereign nation, it is necessary to re-enact the provisions of the former Ordinance, with such changes of phraseology and terminology as are necessary to accord with the independent status of the Republic.

At the same time, opportunity has been taken, wherever possible, to amend the provisions of the old law, where experience and improvements so require.

For example, provision is made in sub-clause (7) of clause 4 to require claims to be made in respect of any money overpaid, short-paid or erroneously refunded, within the period of one year after such payment or refund, instead of six months as is presently the requirement, as this would be administratively more satisfactory.

Clauses 15 and 22 contain minor changes of phraseology and procedure for administrative convenience. In particular, paragraph (b) of clause 22 (2) now provides specific power to make rules for the imposition of penalties in case of non-compliance with the law.

Clause 23 provides for the Cinematograph Film Hire Duty Act, 1965, of Malaysia to cease to apply to Singapore as from Singapore Day.

Since introducing this Bill, Mr Speaker, Sir, it has been considered unnecessary to provide specifically for the exemption of locally-made films in the Bill. Accordingly, references to locally-made films will be removed by amendments in Committee stage, of which notice has been given by me on 16th April, 1966. These amendments are set out in Notice Paper No. 25, and I shall move them in Committee in due course.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Lim Kim San].

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

3.24 p.m.

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 2 -

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have the President's recommendation to move the following amendments:

(1) In page 2, to leave out lines 12 to 17 inclusive;

(2) In page 2, to leave out line 29 to line 7 in page 3 inclusive;

(3) In page 3, to leave out lines 8 to 12 inclusive.

Amendments agreed to.

Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 3 and 4 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 5 -

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

In page 5, lines 32 and 33, to leave out "other than a locally-made film"; and

In page 6, line 2, to leave out ", not being a locally-made film,".

Amendments agreed to.

Clause 5, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 6 to 8 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 9 -

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

In page 9, lines 17 and 18, to leave out ", other than locally-made films,".

The Chairman: I take it that the recommendation of Mr President applies to all these clauses, Mr Minister?

Mr Lim Kim San: Yes, Mr Speaker, Sir. I did mention it earlier.

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 9, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

3.30 p.m.

Clause 10 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 11 -

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

In page 9, lines 36 and 37, to leave out "in his absolute discretion on application or otherwise exempt" and insert ", in his absolute discretion on application or otherwise, exempt, wholly or partially and subject to such conditions as he may think fit,".

Amendment agreed to.

Clause 11, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 12 to 23 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported with amendments; read a Third time and passed.