REPORT OF COMMISSION ON PARLIAMENT STAFF

The Minister for Law and Home Affairs (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name as it appears in the Order Paper. I am moving this motion at the request of the Leader of the House who is away.

*The motion reads as follows:

That this Parliament, noting the Report of the Commission on Parliament Staff as contained in Paper Misc. 7 of 1989, accepts the recommendations of the Commission as contained in paragraph 7 thereof and resolves in accordance with such recommendations.

Sir, consequent to the revision of salaries in the public service announced earlier this year, a Commission consisting of yourself, Mr Speaker, the Minister for Finance, the Leader of the House, the Minister for Trade and Industry and Second Minister for Defence (Services) and the Chairman of the Public Service Commission was accordingly appointed to advise on the revised salaries of Parliament Staff. This Commission was established pursuant to Article 51(6) of the Constitution.

This Commission has met and its Report, as Members know, is presented to Parliament as Paper Misc. 7 of 1989. In paragraph 7 of the Report the Commission recommended the revised salaries for Parliament staff to take effect from 1st April 1989. Sir, the House is asked to accept and approve these recommenda- tions. The Report speaks for itself. I hope all Members will support this motion. And in this regard, I am sure I speak on behalf of all Members, when I say that your staff, Sir, have always demonstrated not only high standards of competence but also have been very patient in assisting Members of the House with materials, locating information, furnishing data and assisting us in many other ways.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, noting the Report of the Commission on Parliament Staff as contained in Paper Misc. 7 of 1989, accepts the recommendations of the Commission as contained in paragraph 7 thereof and resolves in accordance with such recommendations.