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 "$1,556,100", "$80,000", "$3,176,500", "$732,000" and "$216,100", in the second column and substituting the figures "$1,779,000", "$84,000", "$3,378,400", "$819,000", and "$226,000", respectively.

Sir, it is proposed to increase the provision for the Privy Purse from $1,556,100 to $1,779,000. This will take care of both the July 1996 and July 1997 adjustments to the President's salary. The provision for Entertainment will go up from $80,000 to $84,000 to cater for an increase in the number and costs of hosting official functions.

The provision for Salaries of Personal Staff is increased from $3,176,500 to $3,378,400 to cater for normal salary increments and filling of vacancies.

A provision of $819,000 is required to meet the Expenses of Household. This is $87,100 or 11.9% higher than the FY96 provision mainly to meet the higher maintenance expenditure of the Istana grounds.

The provision for Special Services is increased marginally by $9,900 to $226,000. It will be used to purchase office equipment and replace a station wagon.

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 "$1,556,100", "$80,000", "$3,176,500", "$732,000" and "$216,100", in the second column and substituting the figures "$1,779,000", "$84,000", "$3,378,400", "$819,000", and "$226,000", respectively.