SALARY OF SPEAKER

The Minister for Law (Mr E.W. Barker): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the Motion* standing in my name as it appears on the Order Paper.

*The motion reads as follows:

That, pursuant to Article 41 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, the salary of the Speaker shall be $12,000 per month ($6,500 on part-time appointment) with effect from 1st April, 1981.

Sir, Article 41 of the Constitution provides, inter alia, that the Speaker shall be paid such salary as Parliament may from time to time determine. The salary of the Speaker was last determined by Parliament at $9,370 per month with effect from 1st November 1977 by a resolution of this House passed on 31st July 1978.

Following the revision of the consolidated salaries of the Chief Justice and Ministers to $13,000 and $11,500 respectively, it is now proposed to revise the salary of the Speaker to $12,000 per month with effect from 1st April 1981 in order to preserve relativities.

Members are, however, aware that the present Speaker has drawn only half the salary of the Speaker and will continue to do so as long as he does not devote all his time to the office of Speaker.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That, pursuant to Article 41 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, the salary of the Speaker shall be $12,000 per month ($6,500 on pan-time appointment) with effect from 1st April, 1981.