FORESHORES (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

4.23 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 Second time."

As hon. Members are aware, I have from time to time sought the approval of this House under section 4 of the Foreshores Act for the Government to construct public works along the fore-shore or in the sea-bed.

Section 4 of the Act as it now stands requires Government to seek the approval of Parliament for the reclamation of the foreshores or sea-bed as well as for the construction of public works, including wharves or jetties, along the foreshores. In order to expedite the construction of public works, the Bill now before this House seeks to amend section 4 of the Act to enable Government to construct such public works along the foreshores or in the sea-bed without the necessity of seeking approval of this House.

The Bill also seeks to authorise the Government to reclaim the foreshore or sea-bed without having to seek the prior approval of this House if the area to be reclaimed does not exceed 20 acres or, if the area to be reclaimed is within port limits, 10 acres.

The Bill further seeks to delete paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 9 of the Act which implies into a lease of the foreshore or sea-bed certain covenants and provisos with regard to the construction and use of any works to be made or done thereon. It is considered that these covenants are not necessary in the light of present-day requirements.

Opportunity is also taken to amend subsection (6) of section 3 of the Act to provide that section 3, which imposes restrictions on the construction of sea and river walls and buildings on the banks of any port, river or channel, shall not apply to any statutory body as the Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, appoint.

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 Barker].

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

Mr Speaker: Order. I suspend the Sitting now and shall take the Chair again at 5.00 p.m.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.29 p.m. until 5.00 p.m. Sitting resumed at 5.00 p.m.