CIVIL LAW (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

3.58 p.m.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The Bill seeks to make the amendments rendered necessary by the constitutional changes affecting Singapore and its ceasing to be a part of Malaysia. The opportunity has also been taken to make some amendments to the Ordinance. The definition of "child" for the purpose of payment of compensation on death has been extended to include illegitimate and adopted children, so that where, for example, both the parents have been killed in a motor-car accident, damages can be obtained for the benefit of such children.

It has been found that the provisions of the new sections 12A and 17A sought to be introduced by clauses 5 and 7 of the Bill respectively are, however, already to be found in our law.

The provision relating to the award of interest on debts and damages is to be found in section 8 of the Civil Law Ordinance, and that relating to moneys payable under a policy of life assurance in section 73 of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Ordinance. So I shall be moving an amendment, Sir, with your permission, to delete these clauses in Committee.

The Bill has been referred to the Singapore Bar Committee and has been approved by them.

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 Yong Nyuk Lin].

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

4.02 p.m.

Clauses 1 to 4 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 5 -

The Chairman: Mr Minister, you have given notice that you propose to negative clause 5. So the procedure will be that I will propose the Question,

"That clause 5 stand part of the Bill," and then all you have to do is to vote against it. See that the right Noes are said instead of the Ayes!

Question, "That clause 5 stand part of the Bill," put, and negatived.

Clause 5 accordingly disagreed to.

Clause 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 7 -

The Chairman: Mr Minister, you have given notice to negative clause 7. Question, "That clause 7 stand part of the Bill," put, and negatived.

Clause 7 accordingly disagreed to.

Clause 8 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

The Chairman: Consequential amendments will be effected to the Bill as a result of clauses 5 and 7 having been deleted.

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