CIVIL LIST

The Minister for Finance (Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the Motion standing in my name under item No. 6* 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 "$440,000", "$38,400", "$1,806,000", "$342,700" and "$359,300" in the second column and substituting the figures "$418,500", "$40,000", "$1,441,510", "$331,100" and "$178,100", respectively.

Sir, it is proposed to reduce the provisions for the Privy Purse and Salaries of personal staff to $418,500 and $1,441,510 respectively. The reductions are consequential to the implementation of the 1987 wage restraint measures.

The allocation for Entertainment is increased by $1,600 because of higher anticipated expenditure on receptions.

A sum of $331,100 is required to meet Expenses of the Istana household. This is a slight decrease of $11,600 and is due to lower expenditure on public utilities and maintenance of buildings.

The allocation under Special Services is also reduced from $359,300 to $178,100. This is because the budgeted FY 86 provision for the replacement of the Presidential car in 1986 has been revoted to the new financial year but at a reduced amount.

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

for "The Privy Purse" from $440,000 to $418,500;

for "Entertainment allowance" from $38,400 to $40,000;

for "Salaries of personal staff" from $1,806,000 to $1,441,510;

for "Expenses of household" from $342,700 to $331,100; and

for "Special services" from $359,300 to $178,100.

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 "$440,000", "$38,400", "$1,806,000", "$342,700" and "$359,300" in the second column and substituting the figures "$418,500", "$40,000", "$1,441,510", "$331,100" and "$178,100", respectively."