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. 2 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 "$830,400", "$1,681,200", "$289,500" and "$80,600" in the second column and substituting the figures "$837,400", "$1,744,400", "$310,000" and "$94,800", respectively.

Sir, it is proposed to increase the provisions for the Privy Purse and salaries of personal staff to $837,400 and $1,744,400 respectively. These marginal increases are necessary to provide for normal salary increases as well as a contingency provision for the possible increase in the rate of CPF contribution.

An increased sum of $310,000 is required to meet Expenses of the Istana household. The increase of $20,500 is due to the provision for maintenance of vehicles which was previously undertaken by Public Works Department and increased purchase of horticultural consumables.

The allocation for Special services is increased from $80,600 to $94,800. This is because of the provision for the replacement of horticultural machinery.

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 the Civil List and Pension Act (Chapter 44) resolves that the Schedule to that Act be varied by deleting the figures "830,400", "$1,681,200", "$289,500" and "$80,600" in the second column and substituting the figures "$837,400", "$1,744,400", "$310,000" and "$94,800", respectively.

Mr Speaker: Order. I suspend the sitting and will take the Chair again at 3.55 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 3.27 pm until 3.55 pm Sitting resumed at 3.55 pm