LAND TITLES (STRATA) BILL

Order for Third Reading read.

7.00 p.m.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time."

Members of the House will recall that the Land Titles (Strata) Bill was referred to the Select Committee on the 27th June this year. Written representations were received from the Estates Manager. Housing and Development Board, the Land and Housing Development Association of Singapore, and the Real Estate Valuers Association (Singapore). In addition, the Select Committee also heard oral evidence from the Real Estate Valuers Association. A number of useful suggestions which were made have been accepted. The amendments made by the Select Committee are set out on pages C4, C5 and C6 of the Committee's Report tabled in this Parliament on 7th December this year as Paper Parl. 12 of 1967. I will not burden the House with details of these amendments, many of which are drafting amendments which merely refine the Bill. One particular clause, however, in the original Bill `dealing with the collection of pioperty tax in respect of flats has been deleted, as it appears that such a provision, if necessary or advisable, should properly be in the Property Tax Ordinance.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill as now tabled before the House incorporates the recommendations of the Select Committee.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Mr Speaker: There is a clerical error in the marginal note of clause 32 which reads "Surrender of unregistered land to Singapore.....". It should read "Surrender of unregistered land to the President....." as provided in the clause itself.

That correction will be made.

Mr Barker: I am much obliged, Sir.

Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed.