FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY MAIN ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE (Paper Cmd. 4 of 1990) AND FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE (Paper Cmd. 5 of 1990) FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1989 TO 31ST MARCH, 1990

Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [Allotted Day].

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

The Chairman: First Supplementary Main Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1989, to 31st March, 1990, contained in Paper Cmd. 4 of 1990.

Head D -

The sum of $14,700 for Head D ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Main Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April 1989 to 31st March 1990.

Head E -

Dr Lee Siew-Choh (Non-Constituency Member): Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head E be reduced by $10 in respect of Code 2000.

This is merely to seek information from the Minister as to what the details are. I would like the Minister to enlighten the House as to what the "higher than anticipated expenditure on legal fees" are and I would like the Minister to elaborate on all of them.

The Minister for Law (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Sir, I have ascertained from the Registry of the Supreme Court that this additional request is for payment of legal fees to assigned counsel in criminal cases and criminal appeal. If the Member wants a breakdown of this, I shall be happy to get it for him.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: Sir, in view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $889,300 for Head E ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Main Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April 1989 to 31st March 1990.

The sums stated for Heads I, P and Q as they appear in the schedule on page 3 of Paper Cmd. 4 of 1990 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Main Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April 1989 to 31st March 1990.

Head S -

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head S be reduced by $10 in respect of Code 2000.

Sir, as in the question I asked previously, I would like to know the details, for example, what rate has been paid, to whom and why they have been paid?

Prof. Jayakumar: Sir, in answer to the question asked by the Non-Constituency Member, the supplementary provision is really for payment of agency fees to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for acting as Government's agent in State Land sales. Agency fees are paid to URA for presale matters relating to tenders and after-sale services. These services include the identification and clearance of sales sites, tender specifications, processing of tenders and the collection of premiums that are due to the State. The rates of agency fees are always duly cleared by the Ministry of Finance. I do not have the details here, but if the Member wants the details I shall be happy to supply them.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: I would like to withdraw, Sir.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $12,915,150 for Head S ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Main Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April 1989 to 31st March 1990.

Question, "The sum of $61,290,490 shall be supplied to the Government under the Heads of Expenditure for the Public Services shown in the First Supplementary Main Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1989/90", put and agreed to.

Head T -

The sum of $1,055,014,100 for Head T ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April 1989 to 31st March 1990.

Question, "That the sum of $1,055,014,100 shall be supplied to the Government under the Head of expenditure for the Public Services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1989 to 31st March, 1990", put and agreed to.

Resolutions to be reported.

Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to certain resolutions.

Resolutions reported -

"The sum of $61,290,490 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the Public Services shown in the First Supplementary Main Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1989, to 31st March, 1990, contained in Paper Cmd. 4 of 1990."

"The sum of $1,055,014,100 shall be supplied to the Government under the head of expenditure for the Public Services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1989, to 31st March, 1990, contained in Paper Cmd. 5 of 1990."

Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolutions.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolutions accordingly agreed to.