CIVIL LIST

The Minister of State for Finance (BG George Yong-Boon Yeo): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in the Finance Minister's name under item 9 in the Order Paper.

*The motion reads as follows:

That this Parliament, pursuant to section 7 of the Civil List and Pension Act (Chapter 44), resolves that the Schedule to that Act be varied by deleting the figures "$424,300", "$40,000", "$1,481,400", "$301,500" and "$29,500" in the second column and substituting the figures "$830,400", "$50,000", "$1,681,200", "$289,500" and "$80,600", respectively.

Sir, the motion proposes to increase the provision for the Privy Purse to $830,400. The increase is due to the revision in emoluments for the President. Members were informed by the First Deputy Prime Minister in his Ministerial Statement on 23rd March 1989 of the revision of salaries of political and statutory appointments, including that of the President which was to take effect from 1st April, 1989.

The motion also proposes to increase the allocation for Salaries of personal staff to $1,681,200. The increase is due to the revision in Civil Service salaries as well as a higher provision for medical subsidy for staff undergoing treatment at privatized and Government hospitals and institutions.

A sum of $50,000 is required for the Entertainment expenses of the President. This is an increase of $10,000 and is due to a need to hold more receptions for community leaders.

A reduced sum of $289,500 is required to meet the Expenses of the Istana household. The decrease of $12,000 is due to lower expenditure on public utilities and household requisites.

The allocation for Special Services is increased from $29,500 to $80,600. This is because provision is required for the replacement of the First Lady's car.

It is, therefore, necessary to vary the provisions in the Schedule to the Civil List as indicated in the motion before the House.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, pursuant to section 7 of Civil List and Pension Act (Chapter 44), resolves that the Schedule to that Act be varied by deleting the figures "$424,300", "$40,000", "$1,481,400", "$301,500" and "$29,500" in the second column and substituting the figures "$830,400", "$50,000", "$1,681,200", "$289,500" and "$80,600", respectively.