STAMP OFFICE (Measures to speed up work)

Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Finance what measures have been taken or are being taken to speed up the work at the Stamp Office in order to cope with the increased pressure on that Department as a direct result of the recent amendment to the Stamp Ordinance.

Mr Tang See Chim (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, the recent amendments to the Stamp Ordinance only alter the rates of stamp duties payable on documents. These amendments should not increase the workload on the Stamp Office, once the rates are gotten used to. There is therefore no permanent increased pressure on the Stamp Office as a direct result of the amendments to the Stamp Ordinance. In December, however, there was a rush to stamp documents before the increased duties came into force in January 1969. But that was a temporary pressure which has eased off.

However, hon. Members may be happy to hear that shortly after the coming into force of the amending Act, the Organisation and Methods Branch of the Ministry of Finance was asked to make a study of the system at the Stamp Office with a view to increasing its efficiency and to giving the public better service. As a result of this study, it has been decided to provide three more Assistant Examiners for the Stamp Office and to install two more franking machines. This should further improve the services at the Stamp Office.

Arrangements are also in hand for more documents to be stamped by franking machines, so that these docu ments do not have to be brought to the Stamp Office, thereby reducing the workload at the counter.