AUDIT (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

4.05 p.m.

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

In the past, the appointment of the Director of Audit was provided for in section 101 (1) of the Singapore Constitution Order-in-Council, 1958. This Order-in-Council was repealed and replaced by the Singapore Constitution, 1963, when Singapore became part of the Federation of Malaysia. No provision in the Constitution, however, was made for the appointment of the Director of Audit, because the Audit function was then a Federal responsibility. After separation, a similar provision as that in section 101 (1) of the 1958 Order-in-Council should have been enshrined ill the Constitution, but this was overlooked.

The Audit Act, 1966, has provisions relating to the emoluments and removal from office of the Director of Audit, but not for appointment. This Bill now seeks to regularise the position by making specific provision in the Audit Act for the appointment of the Auditor-General by the President in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, in consultation with the Chairman of the Public Service Commission.

Opportunity has also been taken to change the designation of the Director of Audit to Auditor-General to keep in line with the usage in independent Commonwealth countries.

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.