HINDU ENDOWMENTS BILL (As reported from Select Committee)

Order for Third Reading read.

5.49 p.m.

The Minister for Social Affairs (Inche Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time."

Members of the House will recall that the Hindu Endowments Bill was referred to Select Committee on 22nd of May this year. Five written representations were received by the Select Committee of which one was from the Tamilian Association of Singapore and four from individuals who have either connections with Hindu temples or are devotees of such temples. In addition, the Select Committee also heard oral evidence from those who had submitted written representations, including representatives of the Tamilian Association of Singapore.

A number of useful amendments which were made were accepted. These amendments are set out on pages CS, C6 and C7 of the Committee's Report presented to Parliament on 16th August, 1968, as Paper Pan. No. 4 of 1968.

Apart from minor drafting amendments to clarify certain clauses in the Bill, the amendments made to the Bill included amendments providing for a minimum number and a maximum number of members to be appointed by the Minister to the Board; the types of documents which must be sealed by the corporate seal of the Board; provision for representations to be made to the Minister by persons managing Hindu endowments before orders are made by the Minister for any endowments which have been mismanaged to be taken over by the Board; and, lastly, fixing the frequency and quorum of meetings of management committees of endowment under the administration of the Board.

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.

Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed.