Proceedings on Ministerial Statements

Mr Speaker, I move, that, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, (1) my Ministerial Statement on "Duties and Privileges of the Leader of the Opposition" be taken now and before the business Motion on Speech Time standing in my name; and (2) that the following Ministerial Statements: namely, (a) the Ministerial Statement on "Situation in the Middle East" standing in the name of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, (b) the Ministerial Statement on "Situation in the Middle East" to be delivered by the Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and (c) the Ministerial Statement on "Singaporeans’ Response to Situation in the Middle East" standing in the name of the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, be taken in that order after the business Motion on Speech Time standing in my name and before the Motion for the Address of Thanks.

For the benefit of new Members, under the Standing Orders, the debate on the Address of Thanks ordinarily takes precedence over Ministerial Statements and business Motions should be disposed of before the debate on the Address of Thanks takes place. I am moving this business Motion for two reasons. First, my Ministerial Statement on "Duties and Privileges of the Leader of the Opposition" sets out the Leader of the Opposition's duties and privileges for this term of Parliament. It would thus be apposite for my Ministerial Statement to be taken before the rest of the proceedings at this Sitting, including the debate on the Address of Thanks.

I am also moving that my Ministerial Statement be taken before the business Motion on Speech Time, standing in my name as the two are closely related.

Second, the two Ministerial Statements on "Situation in the Middle East" and the Ministerial Statement on "Singaporeans' Response to Situation in the Middle East" are of current public interest. Also, Minister Vivian Balakrishnan is due to deliver Singapore's statement at the 80th United Nations General Assembly and leaves for that tonight. It would be good for Singaporeans to hear the Government's position on this before he leaves. It would thus be best for these Ministerial Statements to be taken before the debate on the Address of Thanks. Members will have sufficient time to seek clarification on these Ministerial Statements.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved, "That notwithstanding the Standing Orders, (1) the Ministerial Statement on 'Duties and Privileges of the Leader of the Opposition' be taken now and before the business Motion on Speech Time standing in the name of the Leader of the House; and (2) that the following Ministerial Statements: (a) the Ministerial Statement on 'Situation in the Middle East' standing in the name of the Minister for Foreign Affairs; (b) the Ministerial Statement on 'Situation in the Middle East' to be delivered by the Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs; and (c) the Ministerial Statement on 'Singaporeans’ Response to Situation in the Middle East' standing in the name of the Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs, be taken in that order after the business Motion on Speech Time standing in the name of the Leader of the House and before the Motion for the Address of Thanks".