HIRE-PURCHASE BILL (As reported from Select Committee)

Order for Third Reading read.

3.36 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."

Hon. Members will recall that the Bill was referred to a Select Committee on 1st August, 1968. Members will also recall that during the Second Reading of the Bill I stated that though the Singapore Advocates and Solicitors Society had been consulted and many of its suggestions and recommendations had been incorporated in the Bill, it was the intention of the Government to refer the Bill to a Select Committee so as to provide opportunities to other interested bodies and members of the public to present their views on the Bill which is a useful measure for coping with the social and commercial requirements of our developing nation.

I am happy to report that six written representations were received and the Select Committee heard oral evidence on all of them. Some of the contributions made to the Committee were most valuable and many of these suggestions have been accepted.

The Committee's Report was published on 15th March, 1969, as Paper Parliament 1 of 1969.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill as now tabled before this Parliament 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.