DEPARTMENTAL TITLES

The Deputy Prime Minister (BG Lee Hsien Loong): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name as it appears on the Order Paper.

*That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 77), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be amended by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following: Old Title or New Title or Name of Office Name of Office Permanent Secretary, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance Prime Minister's Office (Public Service Division)

Sir, the Public Service Division of the Ministry of Finance was transferred to the Prime Minister's Office with effect from 1st June 1994. In consequence of the transfer of the Public Service Division to the Prime Minister's Office, the title of office of the Permanent Secretary (Finance) (Public Service) would be changed to the Permanent Secretary (Prime Minister's Office).

There are, however, several contracts, a few written laws as well as Instruction Manuals which currently refer to the office of the Permanent Secretary (Finance) (Public Service). Rather than amend each of the affected written laws, contracts and Instruction Manuals, the Attorney-General has advised that the change in the title of the office may be effected by resolution of Parliament under the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 77). Section 2 of the said Act states that "where in any written law or in any other document whatsoever the title or name of office mentioned in the first column of the Schedule is used, there shall be substituted for that title or name of office the title or name of office mentioned opposite it in the second column of the Schedule." And section 3 provides that Parliament may, by resolution, at any time, add to or amend the Schedule.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 77), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be amended by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following: Old Title or New Title or Name of Office Name of Office Permanent Secretary, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance Prime Minister's Office (Public Service Division)