SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL
Ceverna
The following sequence would be followed if a Supplementary
Appropriation Bill had to be introduced, in order to provide funds
for the defence contribution.
It is assumed that a majority of Unofficial Members
would oppose the voting of such funds in S.F.C.
This being so,
legislation by the use of the official majority is unavoidable
at some stage (unless an Order in Council is made in London, which
is legally possible.)
1. A Supplementary Appropriation Bill is drafted, providing
$X million for defence purposes.
The Bill might differ from the usual Appropriation Bill
in that it might empower the Governor to authorize expenditure
from the sum concerned, to avoid the need for further reference
to S.F.C.
2. The Bill is presented to Executive Council. The Governor
would have to act in opposition to the majority advice and order
that the Bill be taken to Legislative Council.
3.
The Bill thereafter follows the usual course for Bills
(and not that for the annual Appropriation Bill).
•
The Governor would have to use both his original and
his casting vote, unless at least two Unofficial Members can be
persuaded to support the Bill, to abstain, or to absent themselves
from the meetings of Legislative Council.
Alternative.
There is an alternative method available under S.0. 58.
This enables an ex-officio or Official Member to "present
a paper" setting out the financial requirements of a proposal
for expenditure in the current financial year "beyond the sum
already sanctioned for a particular head".
Such a paper is ordered to be printed and "stands referred
to a committee of the whole Council".