COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES (STRANGERS)

The Second Minister for Law (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That this Parliament resolves that, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, at proceedings of the Committee of Privileges (other than the deliberations of the Committee) in relation to the complaints made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the House, Mr S Dhanabalan, on 19th March, 1986 and on 30th July, 1986 against the Member for Anson, Mr J B Jeyaretnam, admission of strangers for the purpose of television and other media coverage of the proceedings be allowed, subject to any directions of the Speaker or Chairman of the Committee.

Sir, I can be brief. There are two reasons for this motion. First, the matter to be dealt with by the Committee of Privileges is an important matter of public interest and it is a matter which has attracted considerable public attention. It is therefore right and proper for the proceedings to be covered by the media.

Secondly, Sir, I am informed that the Committee of Privileges will not, because of the constraints of space, be able to permit members of the public to attend. Therefore, it is important that press coverage be permitted in respect of its proceedings.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament resolves that, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, at proceedings of the Committee of Privileges (other than the deliberations of the Committee) in relation to the complaints made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Leader of the House, Mr S Dhanabalan, on 19th March, 1986 and on 30th July, 1986 against the Member for Anson, Mr J B Jeyaretnam, admission of strangers for the purpose of television and other media coverage of the proceedings be allowed, subject to any directions of the Speaker or Chairman of the Committee.