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 on 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 "$1,341,300", "$62,000", "$2,908,900", "$737,300" and "$351,500", in the second column and substituting the figures "$1,556,100", "$80,000", "$3,176,500", "$732,000" and "$216,100", respectively.

Sir, it is proposed to increase the provision for the Privy Purse from $1,341,300 to $1,556,100. The increase is necessary to provide for the revision in the pay of the President in July 1995. An increase in the provision for Entertainment from $62,000 to $80,000 is also needed to meet the larger number and higher costs of official functions.

The provision for Salaries of Personal Staff is increased from $2,908,900 to $3,176,500 to cater for normal salary increments and filling of vacancies.

A provision of $732,000 is needed for Expenses of Household. This is marginally lower than FY95 amount by $5,300.

The provision for Special Services is decreased from $351,500 to $216,100. A lower provision is needed because the President has decided not to purchase a new car in FY95 but to retain the existing one. Provision has therefore to be made in FY96 for payment of the prevailing vehicle quota premium for this car.

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 "$1,341,300", "$62,000", "$2,908,900", "$737,300" and "$351,500", in the second column and substituting the figures "$1,556,100", "$80,000", "$3,176,500", "$732,000" and "$216,100", respectively.