NATIONAL THEATRE TRUST (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

5.37 p.m.

The Minister of State for Culture (Mr Lee Khoon Choy) (for the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The main purpose of this Bill is to create the appointment of a Deputy Chairman for the National Theatre Trust. Under the existing National Theatre Trust Ordinance, the Board of Trustees is made up of a Chairman and at least six other Trustees. The appointment of a Deputy Chairman will, therefore, increase the number of Trustees to at least eight members in all. The Deputy Chairman is to act as Chairman of the Trust in the absence of the Chairman. This will facilitate the business of the Trust to be conducted when, for one reason or another, the Chairman is absent.

The Bill also provides for the reduction of the period of tenure of office of Trustees appointed to the National Theatre Trust from six years to three years, or for such lesser time as the Minister may think fit. The reduction of the period of tenure of Trustees is considered opportune now that the National Theatre has been set up. It is also in line with the tenure of office of members of other statutory boards.

The other clauses of the Bill are merely consequential, amending the term "Malayan" culture to "National" culture and substituting the term "Parliament" for "Legislative Assembly".

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 Lee Khoon Choy].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.