Hansard, 1955-07-26

asked the Chief Secretary whether the jurisdiction over the whole building of this House of Assembly has been vested in Mr Speaker.

No, Sir. I regret that, owing to the heavy demands on existing Government office accommodation, it is still necessary to accommodate certain departments in the building housing the Assembly House. It is, however, the hope of the Government eventually to place the whole of the building at your disposal, Mr Speaker, Sir.

Could the Chief Secretary, Sir, give us an indication as to when he expects this to be possible?

We are engaged, Sir, at the moment in a review of the needs for additional office accommodation for the Government departments, and I hope that the result of that review will enable us to plan extra accommodation; but I regret I cannot, at the moment, commit us to any definite date.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of detainees detained under the Emergency Regulations who have been transferred to Detention Camp in Ipoh as at 15th of July, 1955; why such transfer is necessary; and what facilities are afforded for their wives or parents in Singapore to visit them in Ipoh.

No persons detained under the Colony Emergency Regulations have been transferred specifically to the detention camp in Ipoh. Since the Emergency began, 33 persons have been transferred to the Federation for continued detention. They were detained variously at Majeedi, Telok Jerejak, Ipoh, and Kluang detention camps. I regret it has not been possible in the time available to ascertain how long each detainee spent in each of these camps. As at the 15th of July, 1955, none of these detainees was detained at the Ipoh detention camp. In all these cases, the transfer was effected because of a detainee's connection with the Federation, and in some cases the transfer was purely formal in order to enable the detainee to be released for residence in the Federation. Facilities for wives and parents in Singapore to visit detainees in Ipoh, or any other detention camp in the Federation, are the same as those in Singapore - that is, normally one visit a week is allowed, lasting not more than 30 minutes and including not more than two persons at any one time. With the permission of the Superintendent, however, more than one visit a week may be allowed.

Sir, may I ask the Chief Secretary whether he would be good enough to grant a free rail warrant ticket to enable the parents or relatives to visit the detainees in the Federation?

I should like notice of that question, Sir.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of applications from locally qualified doctors received for general duty posts since 1954; and the number of appointments made.

In 1954 there were 20 applications from locally qualified doctors and 7 applications from locally domiciled doctors qualified elsewhere. Of these applicants, five refused the posts offered, one withdrew his application, one was ineligible, and one failed to appear for the interview. The remaining 19 - 17 who qualified locally, and two locally domiciled who qualified elsewhere - were all appointed. In 1955 there have been 29 applications from locally domiciled officers, of whom 26 were locally qualified. All the 29 have been appointed.

asked the Attorney-General when he proposes to complete the revised edition of the Laws of Singapore.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the preparation of the revised edition of ordinances is complete as far as the Commissioners and the Law Officers are concerned. It is now only a matter of printing and binding. The first volume has already been bound, and I have already shown it to my hon. Friend. I anticipate that the remaining seven volumes will follow in rapid succession.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman for a definition of "rapid succession"?

I suggest that my hon. Friend look up the Oxford Dictionary!

asked the Minister for Communications and Works if he is aware that there is no Post Office in the Kampong Kapor Division; and whether he will consider establishing one there in the near future.

I should like to explain, Mr Speaker, that a Post Office is sited not in an electoral division, but in a postal district. It is true that there is no Post Office within the Kampong Kapor Division, but there is one half a mile away from the approximate centre of the Division; two three-quarters of a mile away; and one about one mile away. The plan for Post Offices, which the Postal Department is drawing up, includes Post Offices in the Jalan Besar and Dickson Road areas, both of which are within the Kampong Kapor Division. There are, however, a great many other areas for which new Post Offices are planned. It will take a number of years before the whole programme is completed. I am therefore unable to give a date for the building of either of the new Post Offices which I have mentioned.

May I then ask the Minister for Communications and Works to put on more pillar-boxes, if possible?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister for Communications and Works whether the special officer appointed to investigate into the causes of flooding throughout the island and to recommend measures of prevention has submitted his report, and what the Government's intentions are in this matter.

The Chief Drainage Engineer submitted a short appreciation of the problem three weeks after his arrival here in March. Since then, he has been engaged with his engineering staff in making a thorough survey of the situation. When the investigations are complete, he will submit a series of reports on schemes for drainage in different areas of the island. The first of these reports is expected in a few weeks' time, and the others will be ready before the end of the year. From the investigations which have already been carried out, it is evident that measures can be taken to prevent flooding, but they will involve very large works, and the total cost will run into a huge sum. It is therefore necessary to decide priorities on the basis of the Chief Drainage Engineer's recommendations; to decide the number of years over which the various works have to be phased; and, not least, to decide the problem of financing the works.

Sir, may I ask the Minister whether he will consider laying the report, or reports, on the Table of this House as they are completed?

I see no objection to that, Mr Speaker.

asked the Minister for Health whether he will take the necessary action to establish a Clinic in the Kampong Kapor Division.

The Member for Kampong Kapor has not indicated the type of clinic about which he is enquiring. The Kampong Kapor Division is in the city area, and as regards maternity and child health services, there is a modern clinic run by the City Council at Prinsep Street. The St. Andrew's Mission holds a clinic twice a week for sick babies at Perak Road in Kampong Kapor Division. Out-patient services are available at the Middle Road Hospital. I do not consider that the needs of the Kampong Kapor Division can at present have prior claim over other areas in the colony in a vicinity in which there are no clinics of any kind.

asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare if he will state the policy adopted by the Immigration Department in dealing with applications for entry permits from local residents desirous of bringing their parents from China to live with them, and who are prepared to give adequate guarantees of maintenance and support.

While each case is considered on its individual merits, the general policy followed has been to examine the applications received in the light of Singapore's problems connected with such matters as shortages of accommodation and the present insufficiency of medical services. Examination has not been related to hardship and difficulties stated to be experienced in China. The whole policy is now under review.

asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare whether he is aware that the minimum age limit of 60 years fixed by the Immigration Department for entry into Singapore from China of parents of local residents is causing grave hardship; and whether he will explain on what basis this age limit was fixed.

The age limit of 60 years is used as a guide, but is not followed rigidly.

Mr Speaker, Sir, on the adjournment yesterday there was an informal meeting of the leaders of the Parties and Independent Members, and it seemed to be the general view that the reply which may ultimately be expected from His Excellency the Governor to the message which you delivered to him yesterday must necessarily affect the attitude and the conduct of Members towards the outstanding business in this House. It must be obvious, and I think it is now obvious to all, that a message of a negative character, despite the ingenious combinations suggested by my hon. and learned Friend opposite, can, in fact, only have one result - and that is a dissolution. In these circumstances, Sir, I consider it inappropriate to proceed with the outstanding business at the present juncture. I would like to suggest that we adjourn for a sufficient period in order to enable an adequate reply to be received from His Excellency to our representations. In the light of the intervening holidays, my suggestion is that this House do adjourn, without transacting any further business, until Tuesday, the 2nd of August. I would like to caution against undue optimism. I would like Members to come prepared to rush through all the legislation that can be handled at the next sitting, on the basis that it may be the final sitting. In these circumstances, Sir, I formally move, That this Assembly do stand adjourned till Tuesday, the 2nd of August, 1955.

I second the motion.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Assembly do stand adjourned till Tuesday, the 2nd of August, 1955. Adjourned accordingly at 10.15 a.m. to the 2nd of August, 1955.

Tuesday, 26th July, 1955

asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether the Government has considered the Report of the Local Produce Working Committee dated 2nd June, 1951; and whether action is contemplated to implement any of its recommendations.

The Government has considered the report on "Food Supplies for Singapore" by the Local Produce Working Committee dated 2nd June, 1951, and action has already been taken on many of its recommendations. The Questioner can obtain full information from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and is invited to consult them if he so wishes.

asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether he will give details of the Government's plans for the provision of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Services in the rural areas during the year 1955.

The following are the details of the Government's plans for the provision of veterinary and animal husbandry services in the rural areas during 1955. Disease control measures and medical aid to farmers' livestock. The extension of the free poultry inoculation service to farmers is under way. Over four million birds a year are inoculated. This has created a major rural industry for some tens of thousands of farmers as a part or whole time occupation and large infertile areas otherwise unsuited to farming are put to use. Extensive work on disease control in other species of animals is also being undertaken. Investigations into breeding and nutrition. Investigations are being conducted in respect of poultry, pigs, cattle and goats. Breeding stock are available on a limited scale at Lim Chu Kang Station. Trials have indicated that it is possible to reduce the cost of production of local pork by at least 40 per cent by new methods which are not traditional to Chinese farming systems. Stud animals are being used increasingly among low breeding stock and interest in this work will increase as farmers see the result on their stock of this and other work. Establishment of District Stations. Additional work at the Lim Chu Kang Station is to be undertaken in the immediate future. Arrangements are being made for veterinary staff to live in the rural areas in order to establish closer contact with farmers. One poultry inoculation unit operating from Lim Chu Kang has resulted in the north-west corner of the Island being converted into a virtual poultry farm with nearly two million birds. This area has infertile soil and is therefore unsuited for any other form of mixed farming. A site is being acquired for a second Animal Husbandry Station to serve the north and central parts of the Island. The work of this second station will cover the farming areas from Sembawang to Serangoon. Experiments are being made in the construction of cheap animal houses which farmers will be encouraged to build on their own farms. Increasing demands for veterinary services in rural areas have far exceeded expectations but it is hoped that with the early completion of the two new Animal Husbandry Stations and the recruitment of further qualified and subordinate staff it will be possible for the Veterinary Department to meet these demands.

asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether it is still the policy of Government to maintain a stockpile of rice and to sell it on a non-profit basis to the people.

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry if he will state -

Government purchases rice by open tender. Prices, therefore, are determined by prevailing market prices at the time of the tender. (b) Present selling prices ex Government stockpile are: - "B" grade rice $464 per ton of 2,240 lb. net ex godown. "C" grade rice $446 per ton of 2,240 lb. net ex godown. (c) Sales ex stockpile, exclusive of sales to the Army, during the months stated were: - April 1955 ... 3,419 tons May 1955 ... 2,437 tons June 1955 ... 2,887 tons (d) There is no average gross profit. Sale prices are adjusted to conform to the policy of selling on a "no profit, no loss" basis. The financial results of trading since the inception of stockpiling have been as under: - $ c. December 1954 ... loss 60,098 05 January 1955 ... loss 13,278 43 February 1955 ... profit 44,134 97 March 1955 ... profit 23,248 37 April 1955 ... profit 17,553 91 May 1955 ... profit 50,075 65 June A/C's are not yet completed. It will be seen from the above figures that the profits during the first six months amounted to $61,639.41 on a turnover of approximately $8,000,000. Since the offtake is unknown, in advance, selling price has to be based on estimated figures, so that it is impossible to avoid entirely small profits or losses. The selling price is adjusted to allow for these small profits or losses. The following table shows the alterations in prices which have been made and which took into account the above trading results: - PRICE ADJUSTMENTS Original selling Price 15/2/55 12/5/55 7/7/55 $ $ $ $ A. Grade 542 per ton 526 511 (stock finished) B. Grade 494 per ton 494 479 464 C. Grade 490 per ton 476 461 446 I. Grade 314 per ton 307 (stock finished) (No stock) (e) In view of the answer to the preceding part of this question, this does not arise, any temporary profit providing for further reduction in selling price below cost price to even the accounts by the end of the year.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of Specialist and General posts for doctors in the Medical Service that are vacant now; the number of new posts that are to be created; and the reasons for the necessity of such newly created posts.

There are 30 specialist posts of which twelve are at present vacant; thirteen new posts have been asked for in 1956. There are at present 140 General posts for doctors of which 139 are filled; thirty-two additional posts have been asked for in 1956. The additional posts are needed for the planned expansion of existing hospitals.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of specialist posts filled during the last two years by (a) expatriates and (b) local personnel.

Seven specialist posts have been filled during the last two years, four by expatriates and three by locally domiciled officers; of the four expatriates, one is on contract.

asked the Chief Secretary whether it is the policy of Government to accept applications for specialist posts from those who have 10 years general practice and 5 years in the specialist posts; and if he will state the number of appointments made since 1954 of (a) Malayans and (b) expatriates, with the above qualifications, and (c) the number of appointments made of Malayans and expatriates without the above qualifications.

It is the policy of Government to consider all applications, but ordinarily to accept only those who have at least ten years post-registration experience and have at least five years experience in the speciality. The number appointed since the beginning of 1954 is as follows: - With Without requisite requisite experience experience Malayans... 2 1 Expatriates... 3 1

asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of Medical Officers being trained for specialist posts at the present moment; the basis of selection for such trainees; and the number of Departmental scholarships that will be awarded to local officers for 1955 and 1956.

There are nineteen officers in Singapore and seven overseas - twenty-six in all - under training for specialist posts at the present time. Trainees are selected on the advice of the heads of specialist units by agreement with the Senior Staff Committee of the Teaching Hospitals. The number of departmental scholarships that will be awarded to local medical officers is six in 1955 and fifteen in 1956. During 1955 a Colombo Plan scholarship, a Queen's Fellowship and a W.H.O. Fellowship have been awarded in addition.

asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of the fact that it is difficult for local officers to acquire the 5 years specialist experience in the absence of any definite scheme to appoint them to particular departments for the requisite 5 years; and whether he will consider what steps can be taken in this matter.

I do not agree that it is a fact that it is difficult for local officers to acquire the 5 years specialist experience. Any medical officer who is selected as a trainee for specialist work is posted to the relevant specialist department and such posting is not changed unless the trainee shows himself unsuitable for further training. This experience while a trainee is counted as specialist experience.

asked the Minister for Health whether he will state (a) the average number of chronic cases, (b) the number of convalescent cases occupying beds in Government Hospitals; and whether the Government proposes to build homes for such cases so as to make room for cases of acute illness.

The average number of chronic cases and the average number of convalescent cases are as follows:- Chronic Convalescent cases cases General Hospital 126 254 Tan Tock Seng Hospital 129 275 Kandang Kerbau Hospital - 50 Government has no proposal in the near future to build homes for such cases, but hopes to assist voluntary bodies to do so.

asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare whether a vacant piece of land sufficient for a community centre in the Telok Ayer District can be provided as a measure of the Government's assistance to the residents thereof; alternatively, whether he will help in securing such vacant land and in giving financial aid in the building of the premises thereon for use as a community centre.

Mount Erskine Children's Social Centre is in Telok Ayer District. It is not intended that Government should provide more than one community centre in each district of the City area. Enquiries have been made as to possible sites for Social Welfare community centres and none is available within the foreseeable future in Telok Ayer District. No financial aid is at present available to assist private organisations to build or maintain community centres as the whole of Government resources in social development work are channelled through centres managed directly under the guidance of Government or the Rural Board.

asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare whether he will state the number of private Provident Fund schemes established between 11th December, 1953, and 29th June, 1955, and the total number of employees who were members of such funds.

The number of private provident fund or insurance schemes established between 11th December, 1953, and 29th June, 1955, for which application for approval was made under section 21 (2) of the Central Provident Fund Ordinance was 2,779, covering 19,519 employees.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing what steps are being taken or contemplated to stop flooding at the following, places in the Telok Ayer District: - Circular Road, Lorong Telok, Corner of Market Street, Robinson Road and corner of Market Street, Corner of Boat Quay and Market Street.

To alleviate flooding in the areas named the City Council has prepared schemes for the provision of ponding areas, with pumps, beneath the road at Boat Quay and at Telok Ayer Basin. These schemes, estimated to cost approximately $450,000, have been included in the City Council's Five-Year Programme.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing what steps are being taken or contemplated to clear the slums in the Telok Ayer District.

Comprehensive schemes estimated to be capable of realization in four stages within 20 years have been proposed under the Master Plan for the redevelopment of slum properties within the whole City area, and include the provision of adequate school, marketing, open space and other communal facilities. It is estimated that in the Telok Ayer Electoral Division (it is presumed that by Telok Ayer District the Honourable Member is referring to the Telok Ayer Electoral Division) about 38,500 persons out of the estimated population of 51,300 persons live in properties which require to be redeveloped within the 20-year period, and may therefore be termed slum properties. Of these 38,500 persons it is expected that some 14,500 will have their "slums" cleared and redeveloped during the first two stages, and the remaining 24,000 persons during the third and fourth stages. Proposals for the early redevelopment of properties affecting 8,000 persons in the first stage are in hand.