CIVIL LIST AND PENSION BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

3.01 p.m.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr Tang See Chim) (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

It has been the tradition in many countries for the Legislature to provide by law for a Civil List for their Presidents. And this tradition is enshrined iii our Constitution, Article 4 of which reads: "The Legislature shall by law provide a Civil List for the President." Part I of this Bill, therefore, seeks to make such provision in accordance with the Constitution.

Members will note from the Schedule to the Bill that the President will draw an annual salary of $48,000 which is tax free. In addition, he will get an annual entertainment allowance of $10,000, also tax free. The expenses for maintaining the President's household, together with salaries for his personal staff, come to $474,000 a year. By clause 3 of the Bill, the amount payable under this Schedule is charged on and payable out of the Consolidated Fund.

Opportunity is also taken in the Bill to provide for the President's pension when he retires. At present, there is no statutory provision for the payment of a pension to a former President. All civil servants are given pension rights; in Singapore, all persons in employment have at least the protection of the Central Provident Fund to provide for them and their families in their retiring years; and, since July last year, even politicians who have been M.P.s can have pensions provided certain conditions are met. It is only reasonable therefore that our President, who holds the highest office in the land, should be superannuated for his services on his ceasing to be a President.

Part II of the Bill, therefore, provides for the payment of pension or gratuity to "former" Presidents. Clause 8 of the Bill provides that a former President, who has ceased to hold office, shall be granted a pension or gratuity of such amount and under such circumstances as Parliament may determine. No specific period of service as a President is prescribed, and the Bill leaves it to the discretion of Parliament to determine the amount to be paid. This discretion will give flexibility to meet changing circumstances, and Parliament can be relied upon to determine an amount that would allow a former President to maintain a standard of life in keeping with the exalted office he has held.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Tang See Chim].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.