Time Limit for Senior Minister of State's Speech

Mr Speaker: Order. Minister Vivian.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Dr Vivian Balakrishnan): Mr Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move, "That the proceedings on the item under discussion be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No 48(8) to remove the time limit in respect of the Senior Minister of State Edwin Tong's speech".

Mr Speaker Mr Speaker: I give my consent. Does the Minister have the general assent of hon Members present to so move?

Hon Members indicated assent.

With the consent of Mr Speaker and the general assent of Members present, question put, and agreed to.

Resolved, "That the proceedings on the item under discussion be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order 48(8) to remove the time limit in respect of Senior Minister of State Edwin Tong's speech." – [Dr Vivian Balakrishnan].

Mr Speaker : Senior Minister of State Edwin Tong, please proceed.