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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Finance (MOF) will introduce a third supplemental supply bill at the next session of Parliament in October, which will cover S $ 8 billion of COVID-19 support extended last month, it said on Friday (4 September) Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. .
Heng, who is also Finance Minister, was responding to questions from Members of Parliament about a fifth set of measures in support of COVID-19 that he had announced on August 17.
Bukit Panjang SMC MP Liang Eng Hwa asked whether the announced measures will be debated in Parliament and whether the revised spending plan will need to be approved by Parliament. Mountbatten SMC MP Lim Biow Chuan asked if Parliament will be able to request clarification on financial measures.
Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui wanted to know why Mr. Heng’s ministerial statement was issued via broadcast and not in Parliament, if this was allowed and when MPs will have the opportunity to discuss the measures in Parliament .
Heng said the Finance Ministry had informed President Halimah Yacob and members of the Council of Presidential Advisers. To ensure accountability to Parliament, it will introduce a third supplemental estimates bill and a third supplemental supply bill at the next session of Parliament in October.
“These will reflect how funds will be reallocated among the different Heads of Expenditure. The supplementary estimates will be considered in the Supply Committee and the bill will go through the first, second and third reading in Parliament, ”said Mr. Heng.
He added that coverage of some key plans, including the Employment Support Plan, was due to end in August and companies were concerned whether support would be expanded.
“Many jobs and businesses may be at stake if we do not announce the policy measures in time,” he said.
“To ensure we provide clarity to businesses and workers on continued government support, on August 17 I laid out more measures in support of COVID-19 through a television broadcast. Our companies and workers have found this security useful in decision-making. “
The support measures announced then are fully funded by reallocating other areas, such as unspent funds from development expenditures due to delays in major construction projects, such as new MRT lines.
“As I indicated in my August 17 statement, the measures will be fully financed through reallocation, with no further increase in general government spending. We do not plan to further leverage Past Reserves for this set of measures, ”Heng said.
