CIVIL LIST

The Minister for Finance (Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

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 "$84,000", "$3,378,400", "$819,100" and "$226,000" in the second column and substituting the figures "$100,800", "$2,404,700", "$841,300" and "$17,000" respectively.

Sir, it is proposed to increase the provision for the Class I expenditure by $16,800 for entertainment allowance to cater for higher costs of hosting official functions.

The provision for Salaries of Personal Staff is expected to decrease from $3,378,400 (for 103 posts) to $2,404,700 (for 52 posts) due to the transfer of the Horticultural Section from the President's Office to National Parks Board on 1st April 1997.

A provision of $841,300 is required to meet Expenses of Household. This is $22,200 or 2.7% higher than the FY 97 provision mainly to meet the higher maintenance expenditure of the Istana grounds.

A sum of $17,000 is required for Special Services for the purchase of office equipment ($5,000) and the honorarium payment to the President's legal adviser of $12,000. It is substantially lower than the FY 97 provision which included $140,000 for the replacement of a station wagon.

It is therefore necessary to vary the provisions in the Schedule to the Civil List and Pension Act (Chapter 44) 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 "$84,000", "$3,378,400", "$819,100" and "$226,000" in the second column and substituting the figures "$100,800", "$2,404,700", "$841,300" and "$17,000" respectively.

Mr Speaker: Order. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair again at 4.30 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.07 pm until 4.30 pm. Sitting resumed at 4.30 pm