CIVIL LIST

The Minister for Finance (Dr Hu Tsu Tau): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name under item No. 2* 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 that Act be varied by deleting the figures "$478,300", "$39,000", "$2,123,700", "$388,900" and "$29,600" in the second column and substituting the figures "$440,000", "$38,400", "$1,806,000", "$342,700" and "$359,300", respectively.

Sir, it is proposed to reduce the provisions for the Privy Purse and Salaries of personal staff to $440,000 and $1,806,000 respectively. The reduction in provision for the Privy Purse is mainly because a contingency provision for the NWC wage increase is not required. The decrease of $317,700 in provision for Salaries of personal staff is largely due to a reduction of 24 posts on the Istana establishment.

The allocation for Entertainment is reduced marginally by $600 because of lower anticipated expenditure on receptions.

A sum of $342,700 is required to meet Expenses of the Istana household. This is a decrease of $46,200 and is due to lower expenditure on public utilities.

These reductions are partly offset by an increase in allocation for Special services from $29,600 to $359,300. The increase in provision is for replacement of a vehicle.

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

for "The Privy Purse" from $478,300 to $440,000;

for "Entertainment allowance" from $39,000 to $38,400;

for "Salaries of personal staff" from $2,123,700 to $1,806,000;

for "Expenses of household" from $388,900 to $342,700; and

for "Special services" from $29,600 to $359,300.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I understood the Minister, the provision for "Special services" is increased from $29,600 to $359,300, an increase of $329,700. I see, of course, that there is a reduction of $402,000 for the sums provided for other purposes. Now, I heard the Minister say that the increase is for the purchase of a vehicle. Would he elaborate on this? What is this vehicle that is going to be bought that will cost the taxpayers $329,700? Because I see that in previous years, the "Special services" have been reduced year after year, but this year we are asking for an increase of $329,700.

Dr Hu Tsu Tau: Mr Speaker, Sir, the additional fund required is for the purchase of a replacement vehicle for the President, whose present Rolls Royce, I believe, is over 20 years old and is beyond economic repair.

Mr Jeyaretnam: May I ask whether it is really necessary that we should have a Rolls Royce? I know the Queen of England perhaps rides in a Rolls Royce. But is it necessary that we should also follow their practice?

Dr Hu Tsu Tau: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not necessary but, in the case of the Singapore President, it is a matter of judgment what we should provide him with.

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 that Act be varied by deleting the figures "$478,300", "$39,000", "$2,123,700", "$388,900", and "$29,600" in the second column and substituting the figures "$440,000", "$38,400", "$1,806,000", "$342,700" and "$359,300" respectively."