EXEMPTED BUSINESS (Motion)

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EXEMPTED BUSINESS:

(Motion): Resolved,

That the proceedings on the business set down on the Order Paper for today be exempted at this day's sitting from the provisions of Standing Order No. 2. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng].

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PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP INTEGRATED RESORTS: Debate resumed.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Clarification, Sir. I would like to ask the PM or the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Government intends to introduce a Casino Bill in this House so as to legislate the necessary safeguards.

The Minister for Home Affairs (Mr Wong Kan Seng): Sir, we are studying the various legislative issues concerning the regulation of the casino. We will need to have a casino regulatory agency. Whether that agency will be a statutory board, whether it will be called a commission, or whatever - these are issues that are still being studied, although we have some rough ideas about them now. We will have to have the powers in order to enforce the rules. To have the powers, we must have the law in place. And to do that, we need to come to Parliament later.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, just a point of clarification from the Prime Minister or from the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports. Is the $100 levy charged per entry into the casino or per 24 hours?

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Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: It will be $100 per day.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: 24 hours?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Yes. You do not get to stay in there forever.

Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong: Multiple entries within the 24 hours?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: Per day.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Pursuant to Standing Order 44(2), the motion to consider the Proposal to Develop Integrated Resorts lapses at the conclusion of debate.