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. 7 in the Order Paper.

• 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 "$1,190,400", "$55,000", "$2,175,700", "$561,600" and "$51,500" in the second column and substituting the figures "$1,341,300", "$62,000", "$2,908,900", "$737,300" and "$351,500", respectively.

Sir, it is proposed to increase the provisions for the privy purse and entertainment allowance to $1,341,300 and $62,000 respectively. These increases are necessary due to changes in salary structures and anticipated higher entertainment expenditure.

A higher provision of $2,908,900 is allocated for the salaries of personal staff to cater for normal salary increment, pension contribution and the filling of vacancies.

A higher sum of $737,300 is required to meet Expenses of the Istana household. The increase is to meet higher expenditure on public utilities and maintenance of building.

The allocation for Special Services is increased from $51,500 to $351,500 as a contingency provision in the event that the President's car has to be replaced.

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 "$1,190,400", "$55,000", "$2,175,700", "$561,600" and "$51,500" in the second column and substituting the figures "$1,341,300", "$62,000", "$2,908,900", "$737,300" and "$351,500", respectively.

Mr Speaker: Order. I suspend the sitting and will take the Chair again at 5.05 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.50 pm until 5.05 pm. Sitting resumed at 5.05 pm