Simultaneous Debate on Motions
Ministry of National DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This motion concerns a proposal by Leader of the House Ms Indranee Rajah to conduct a simultaneous debate on two public housing motions filed by Minister for National Development Mr Desmond Lee and Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Mr Leong Mun Wai. Leader of the House Ms Indranee Rajah argued that concurrent consideration of these related issues promotes holistic discussion and parliamentary efficiency while allowing members to address both motions in single speeches. She clarified that despite the joint debate, both motions remain separate items to be voted on individually after each mover has exercised their right to speak and reply. The House agreed to the procedural motion, resolving that the debate on both housing motions and any proposed amendments proceed concurrently notwithstanding the Standing Orders. This decision ensures a comprehensive examination of public housing policies before the House takes separate votes on the respective motions.
Transcript
1.43 pm
The Leader of the House (Ms Indranee Rajah): Mr Speaker, I beg to move, that, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, the Motions on "Affordable and Accessible Public Housing" and "Public Housing Policies" be taken together, and that the debate on these Motions and on any amendment proposed thereto be proceeded with simultaneously as though the debate were on a single Motion.
Mr Speaker, as Members are aware, the Minister for National Development Mr Desmond Lee and the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Mr Leong Mun Wai, have each filed separate Motions, the titles of which I have just read out. Both Members have given notice of their intention to move their Motions on 6 February 2023. For benefit of the Members, let me just read out the terms of the Motions.
The Motion standing in the name of the Minister for National Development – Affordable and Accessible Housing: that this House affirms the importance of keeping public housing affordable and accessible while protecting the interests of current and future generations of Singaporeans, and endorses the commitment of the Government to these twin goals.
The Motion standing in the name of Mr Leong Mun Wai – Public Housing Policies: that this House calls upon the Government to review its public housing policies in order to deliver affordable and accessible HDB flats to all Singaporeans, strengthen the owner-occupation intent of public housing, protect retirement adequacy and keep public housing inclusive for every Singaporean of each generation.
Given the subject matter of the two Motions, I am in today's Business Motion, moving that the two Motions be considered together and debated concurrently. This is because the two Motions cover common topics and related issues, albeit from different perspectives. A concurrent or simultaneous debate will allow Members to address both Motions in a single speech and enable the issues raised in the two Motions to be considered holistically. It will also allow for more efficient conduct of Parliamentary business.
Minister Desmond Lee and Mr Leong Mun Wai, as movers of the respective Motions, will each, as is usual, have the right to speak to move their Motions and to reply at the end of the debate to close their Motions.
To be clear and for avoidance of doubt, it is only the debate that is concurrent. The Motions remain as two separate Motions and at the end of the debate, the vote on the two Motions will be taken separately. Mr Speaker, I beg to move.
Question put, and agreed to.
Resolved, that, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, the Motions on "Affordable and Accessible Public Housing" and "Public Housing Policies" be taken together, and that the debate on these Motions and on any amendment proposed thereto be proceeded with simultaneously as though the debate were on a single Motion.
Mr Speaker: The Clerk will now proceed to read the Orders of the day and Notices of Motion.