XN000022-1983-04-13 — Page 22

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1983

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SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS APPROVED

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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION APPROVING SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS AMOUNTING TO $530 MILLION FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1982-83.

MOVING THE MOTION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID THAT THE MAJOR ITEMS INCLUDE $246 MILLION FOR VARIOUS SALARY ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND STAFF OF SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS ARISING FROM THE 1982 PAY TREND SURVEY.

OTHER ITEMS INCLUDE $124 MILLION TO MEET A RECURRENT GRANT TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, $19 MILLION TO MEET ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE DUE TO THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CLAIMS FROM CIVIL SERVANTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES FOR DENTAL TREATMENT, AND $17 MILLION TO MEET PAYMENTS OF EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANTS.

MR BREMRIDGE SAID THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION RESULTED IN A NET INCREASE OF $246 MILLION IN EXPENDITURE, THE REMAINDER BEING OFFSET UNDER OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE AND BY THE FREEZING OF FUNDS UNDER THE TWO ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS VOTES.

FINANCE COMMITTEE HAD APPROVED ALL THE ITEMS AND THE PURPOSE OF THE MOTION WAS SIMPLY TO SEEK THE COVERING AUTHORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID.

BILLS PASSED

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THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1983, AND THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

A PRIVATE MEMBER'S BILL, THE COUNCIL OF ST PAUL'S CO- EDUCATIONAL COLLEGE INCORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983 WAS ALSO PASSED.

THREE BILLS, THE BILLS OF EXCHANGE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING OFFENCE POINTS) BILL 1983 AND THE MARINE FISH CULTURE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, WERE INTRODUCED AND READ A SECOND TIME. DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED TILL APRIL 27.

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