MR J B JEYARETNAM (Announcement by Mr Speaker)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Speaker: Order. At the sitting of Parliament on 9th May 2000, I informed hon. Members that Mr J B Jeyaretnam had filed a Notice of Appeal to the Judge of the High Court in Chambers against the Bankruptcy Order made against him. I also informed hon. Members that it was not appropriate for me to ask Parliament to make a determination under Article 48 of the Constitution as to whether his seat has been vacated as the Member had filed an appeal.

The appeal was heard on 11th May 2000 and the Registrar of the Supreme Court has informed the Clerk of Parliament that the Judge had set aside the Bankruptcy Order made against Mr Jeyaretnam on 5th May 2000. I have sought the advice of the Attorney-General on the effect of the decision of setting aside the Bankruptcy Order against Mr Jeyaretnam in relation to his seat in Parliament. The Acting Attorney-General has, on 17th May 2000, advised that:

"The effect of the Court setting aside the Bankruptcy Order is as if the Order was never made. Mr Jeyaretnam was therefore not an undischarged bankrupt between the period 5 May - 11 May 2000. It follows that Mr Jeyaretnam did not vacate his seat in Parliament on 5 May 2000."