CIVIL LIST

3.38 pm

The Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion standing in my name under item No. 7* in the Order Paper.

*The motion reads as follows:

"That this Parliament, pursuant to section 7 of the Civil List and Pension Act (Chapter 52), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be varied by deleting the figures "$409,000", "$16,000", "$1,960,700", "$380,900" and "$40,000" in the second column and substituting the figures "$407,000", "$36,400", "$1,868,400", "$354,900" and "$39,900" respectively."

Sir, it is proposed to alter the provisions for the Privy Purse and Salaries of personal staff to $407,000 and $1,868,400 respectively. The proposed provisions represent marginal decreases from the current allocations but will be adequate to meet the expenditure on manpower in the new financial year.

The allocation for Entertainment .is increased by $20,400 because of the National Day Reception, expenditure on which was previously charged to the Ministry of Defence's Head of Expenditure.

A sum of $354,900 is required under Expenses of the Istana household to meet costs of public utilities, other services, stores and maintenance. This provision is reduced by $26,000 as funds are not required in the new financial year for the refurbishing of vehicles.

A sum of $39,900 has been provided under Special services mainly for the replacement of gardening and office equipment.

It is, therefore, necessary to vary the provisions in the Schedule to the Civil List as follows:-

for "The Privy Purse" from $409,000 to $407,000;

for "Entertainment allowance" from $16,000 to $36,400;

for "Salaries of personal staff" from $1,960,700 to $1,868,400;

for "Expenses of household" from $380,900 to $354,900; and

for "Special services" from $40,000 to $39,900.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

"That this Parliament, pursuant to section 7 of the Civil List and Pension Act (Chapter 52), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be varied by deleting the figures "$409,000", "$16,000", "$1,960,700", "$380,900" and "$40,000" in the second column and substituting the figures "$407,000", "$36,400", "$1,868,400", "$354,900" and "$39,900" respectively."