SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY BILL

Order for Second and Third Readings read.

2.32 p.m.

The Minister for Finance (Dr Goh Keng Swee): MrSpeaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The purpose of this Bill is to provide a supplementary estimate of $300,000 to meet the administrative expenditure of the new Bases Economic Conversion Department which has been set up early this year. This department will provide a central point in the Government machinery with which the British Government can liaise in all problems relating to the run-down of the United Kingdom bases.

The Bases Economic Conversion Department will have, as its main functions, to conduct negotiations with the British Government on mitigatory aid to overcome the effects of the rundown of the British bases, and on the taking over of lands and other assets relinquished by the British Services. The department will also negotiate with the British Government and other interested parties on the conversion of the facilities, such as the naval dockyard, air bases and workshops, to civilian management and commercial use.

The department has also been entrusted with the responsibility of organising the training, re-training and possibly re-deploying of workers discharged from the bases.

The supplementary estimate of $300,000 to be provided will cover the 1968 expenditure for Personal Emoluments, $160,000; Other Charges Annually Recurrent, $92,510; and Other Charges Special Expenditure, $47,490. The amount has been advanced from the Contingencies Fund in view of the urgency to establish the Bases Economic Conversion Department. The Supplementary Supply Bill is to clear this advance in accordance with clause (2) of Article 87 of the Constitution of Singapore.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Third Reading

Dr Goh Keng Swee: Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time."

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed.