CIVIL LIST (Motion)

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 "$2,232,000", "$104,300", "$2,177,200", "$1,000,130" and "$56,400" in the second column and substituting the figures "$2,391,600", "$113,000", "$2,653,200", "$945,600" and "$1,000" respectively.

Sir, I propose that a provision of $2,508,200 be supported for Class I expenditure for FY2001. Class I expenditure would cover the President's salary, his entertainment allowance and the acting President's allowance. The higher provision for FY2001 is to cater for the salary revisions announced in financial year 2000 and a higher cost of hosting official functions.

The provision for Class II expenditure is meant for the salaries of the Istana Personnel. The provision is higher at $2,653,200 mainly to meet the salary revisions announced in 2000, higher employer CPF contribution rate and other salary increases resulting from the NWC recommendations.

A provision of $945,600 is required for Class III expenditure to meet the expenses of the Istana's household. The higher provision is mainly to cater for an increase in utilities tariffs.

A budget of $1,000 is provided for Special Services for consultancy charges under Class IV expenditure.

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 "$2,232,000", "$104,300", "$2,177,200", "$1,000,130" and "$56,400" in the second column and substituting the figures "$2,391,600", "$113,000", "$2,653,200", "$945,600" and "$1,000" respectively.

Mr Speaker: Order. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair again at 3.30 pm.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 3.03 pm until 3.30 pm. Sitting resumed at 3.30 pm