Hansard, 1956-02-08

NEW MEMBER SWORN Mr William Allmond Codrington Goode, Chief Secretary, took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance. (Governor's Deputy's Assent to Bills Passed) MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S DEPUTY

NEW MEMBER SWORN On the 29th of November, 1955, I received a message from the Governor's Deputy in connection with Bills which have been passed by the Assembly. This is the message: "Sir, I have the honour to inform you that in accordance with the provisions of Section 62 (2) of the Singapore Colony Order in Council, 1955, I have this day assented to the Bills intituled: -

PERMISSION TO MEMBERS TO BE ABSENT I have to inform the Assembly that I granted permission to be absent from the Assembly to the following Members: Mr M. P. D. Nair - six weeks, commencing from the 29th of November, 1955. Mr R. Jumabhoy - seven weeks, from the 7th of December, 1955. Mr Wong Foo Nam - 20 days, from the 19th of December, 1955. Mr A. R. Lazarous - one month, from the 9th of January, 1956.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - NAVAL BASE AT LABUAN asked the Chief Minister what information he has on the subject of the creation of a naval base at Labuan.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - NAVAL BASE AT LABUAN Sir, my information is that there is no foundation for the report that Her Majesty's Government intends to create a naval base at Labuan.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - NAVAL BASE AT LABUAN Can the Chief Secretary inform us whether any work of that nature has been started at Labuan at all?

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - NAVAL BASE AT LABUAN Whether there is work in Labuan or not, Sir, I am not aware. There is no foundation for the report that Her Majesty's Government are intending to create a naval base there.

LONDON TALKS AND COMMONWEALTH VISIT asked the Chief Minister whether he will make a statement giving details of his discussion in London with the Secretary of State for the Colonies and of his visit to Commonwealth countries en route.

LONDON TALKS AND COMMONWEALTH VISIT Yes, Sir. I will be making a statement after Question Time. I would like to assure the hon. Member that I am not seeking to avoid supplementaries. It is a long statement, Sir, and it is inappropriate to make it at this juncture. May I have your permission, Sir, to explain that, should the hon. Member or any other Member of this Assembly seek to elucidate any aspect of that statement, he is at liberty to ask me any questions after I have made the statement?

LONDON TALKS AND COMMONWEALTH VISIT I might inform hon. Members that that is permissible at any time. Whenever a Minister makes a statement, questions may be asked to elucidate anything that might arise out of that statement.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) asked the Chief Minister whether he is satisfied that it is in the interests of the country for 3 Assistant Ministers to be members of the City Council in addition to their ministerial duties; and whether he will state the policy of the Government in this matter.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) If it please you, Sir, Government considers that the posts of the Ministers and Assistant Ministers are full-time occupations, but that Ministers - and this includes Assistant Ministers - should not be precluded from giving of their time to public service outside their normal duties. The work of the City Council, Sir, is work in the service of the public, but I personally consider it inadvisable that City Councillors should be Members of this Assembly, let alone Ministers or Assistant Ministers. Members are conscious of the fact that we have inherited this position of City Councillors together with the Rendel Commission's recommendations about that body; that Government has rejected those recommendations; and that we have repeatedly had to extend for short periods the life of the City Council. It seemed to us unreasonable, Sir, to deprive the people of their elected representatives who are Members of the Assembly, and some of whom are Assistant Ministers who are also on the City Council, without the possibility of by-elections, Sir, because no one would stand for a by-election for just a matter of 3 or 4 or 5 months; but we have before us the McNeice Report on local government and the matter will now be, we hope, shortly regularised by legislation.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Hon. Chief Minister aware that one of the Assistant Ministers is a nominated Member of the City Council and could quite easily be replaced?

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) I am indeed, Sir, and my answer to that is this: that it does seem inappropriate to remove one man and to nominate somebody for just a short period of 4 or 5 months.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) Mr Speaker, Sir, does not the Chief Minister agree that this position was envisaged as early as April last year when he decided to abandon the Rendel Report on local government, and that the period would have been one and a half years?

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) No, Sir, because there was then no question of the Members becoming Assistant Ministers. I would like to add this: that as regards the Assemblymen themselves, Government has not taken a decision. I am merely expressing a personal opinion and it cannot be said that there is really any great strain on the work that they have to do if they have to serve both bodies. My personal objection is that it is my desire to see the maximum possible number of people partaking in the democratic process.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) Is this personal opinion referred to by the Chief Minister supported by those who are Members of this Assembly and of the City Council?

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) I am sorry I cannot understand the question.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) Can the Chief Minister tell us whether his personal opinion is supported by those Members of this Assembly who are also Members of the City Council?

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) Unfortunately, Sir, much as I would like to, I cannot penetrate the hon. Member's mind and read what his views are.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES - (Government Policy) Has the Chief Minister not enquired from them?

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) asked the Chief Minister if he will state whether the views expressed by the Assistant Ministers in the City Council are also the views of the Government.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) Sir, it is important for this House to draw a distinction between the Assistant Ministers in the discharge of their duties as such in Government and the same persons as City Councillors. Government has never sought, does not seek and will never seek to control the conduct of the Assistant Ministers or any other City Councillors in the discharge of their duties to the City Council.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) Is it not important, Sir, for Members of the Government, whether they be in the Assembly or in the City Council, to express the same line of policies?

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) The same policies, Sir, are not necessarily right and the circumstances are not normally the same.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) Are we to understand from the Chief Minister's reply that the Labour Front has no consistent policy for local and national government?

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) As usual, Sir, my hon. and learned Friend understands wrongly.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) Is it not a fact that the Labour Front City Councillors have approved the conversion of the Geylang Serai trade fair into an amusement park and that the Labour Front Government have refused it on Police grounds? Mr M. P. D. Nair rose -

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) Point of order?

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) Point of order, Sir. I think reading a supplementary question is out of order.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) Whose side are you on?

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) I did not notice that the hon. Member was reading.

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) Is it not a question of policy in this matter?

ASSISTANT MINISTERS - (Expression of views in City Council) The matter has not come up to Government level, Sir. If there has been a refusal, I am unaware of it.

RULES GOVERNING ASSISTANT MINISTERS asked the Chief Minister whether he will give details of any rules which have been framed by which Assistant Ministers are required to relinquish their interests in business and professional activities during their term of office.

RULES GOVERNING ASSISTANT MINISTERS Sir, I am happy to inform the hon. Member that a complete code governing the conduct of Ministers was published and laid before the Legislative Council in 1954 as Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 88 of 1954. No doubt the hon. Member would find it easy to seek access thereto.

RULES GOVERNING ASSISTANT MINISTERS Am I to understand from the Hon. the Chief Minister that the code of conduct for Ministers is also applicable to Assistant Ministers throughout?

RULES GOVERNING ASSISTANT MINISTERS The answer is in the affirmative, Sir.

UNION WITH THE FEDERATION (Statement) asked the Chief Minister if he will make a statement on his discussions with the Chief Minister of the Federation of Malaya on the subject of Union with the Federation; and whether he will further state what are the Government's intentions regarding such a union.

UNION WITH THE FEDERATION (Statement) Yes. Sir, it had been my intention - and I have made it public - to make a full statement to this Assembly on this matter in connection with various interviews that some of my colleagues and I have had with the Chief Minister of the Federation and some of his colleagues on an informal basis. I would add, Sir, that I have reason now to believe that it would be highly inadvisable to make any statement at this juncture and until I have had a further opportunity, with some of my colleagues, to see the Chief Minister of the Federation on his return. I would ask this House, which is aware that I have always dealt with it fully and frankly, to give me its indulgence and to be patient for just one month. This is a matter that is very vital to the welfare of Singapore and I say, Sir, do not let us try to deal with it at this precise moment when it is still in the balance.

UNION WITH THE FEDERATION (Statement) What is in the balance, Sir?

UNION WITH THE FEDERATION (Statement) It may well be, Sir, that as a result of the forthcoming discussions, there may be other decisions arrived at than have already been arrived at. I do know, Sir, that there is a desire on the part of the Federation that this matter should not be preceded with today.

SINGAPORE CITIZEN (Definition) asked the Chief Minister if he will state how far the Government has progressed towards the definition of a Singapore citizen; and whether he will make a statement.

SINGAPORE CITIZEN (Definition) Sir, my hon. Friend is aware that a Bill has been drafted embodying the views of the Labour Front Members of the Government on this question of granting citizenship rights to our domiciled non-British communities. This Bill has been fully discussed with our colleagues of the Alliance. It has also been discussed with the Secretary of State for the Colonies. In view of the considerations which I shall indicate in my statement on my London trip, this Bill is not being proceeded with temporarily, and if hon. Members wish supplementaries, may I respectfully suggest that they reserve them till after they have heard me on the reason why we are postponing consideration?

DEFINITIONS OF "MALAYAN" AND "EXPATRIATE" asked the Chief Minister if he will state what is the Government's definition of (a) a Malayan and (b) an expatriate.

DEFINITIONS OF "MALAYAN" AND "EXPATRIATE" If it please you, Sir, pending consideration of the Report of the Malayanisation Commission, the Government has in the past ten months proceeded on the basis that expatriates are those who are receiving or should receive expatriate allowance.

DEFINITIONS OF "MALAYAN" AND "EXPATRIATE" Does not the Chief Minister feel that the person most qualified to answer that question is the Member for Tanglin himself?

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry in view of the shortage of veterinary officers to cope with the needs of the farmers, whether he will take immediate steps to increase appreciably the staff of the Veterinary Department.

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) If it please you, Sir, I fear it is a long reply, because I believe in giving full information. May I respectfully suggest that sometimes, unless there is special reason to the contrary, it would be helpful to the Assembly and save its time if questions could normally be put down for written answers? However, here is my answer to the hon. Member's question: Yes, Sir. The Government is fully aware of the urgent need to expand the veterinary services available to farmers, and, as you will see, active steps have in fact been taken and are being taken at the moment to increase that staff. Increases in the staff of the Veterinary Department were approved in the 1956 Estimates last November. Four junior officers are being now recruited. They will have a van and will be able to operate as a mobile unit from village to village. A new post of storekeeper is also being filled. We are taking steps to recruit a team of 24 farmers - I hope this will appeal to hon. Members - who will be trained by the Department in poultry inoculation work. These farmers will be used full-time with departmental staff for only two days a week and they will be paid for that work. The rest of the week will be spent by them on their own farms. The idea, Sir, is to seek to bring to the farmers a full understanding of these processes. In addition, Sir, arrangements are being made to recruit eight temporary inoculators and two van drivers and to equip them with transport. These services will be used to help the existing staff to combat the recent outbreak of swine fever in the northern part of the island. The following steps have been taken to strengthen the senior staff. Two assistant veterinary officers are studying overseas for qualifications which will enable them to be appointed to veterinary officer posts in 1959. Three veterinary scholarships have been awarded for study abroad to students of whom two should return in 1957 and one in 1959. Four further veterinary scholarships will be awarded this year for study abroad, and the recipients are expected to return in 1961.

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) Mr Speaker, Sir, is it because the Chief Minister finds these arduous but constructive duties as Minister for Commerce and Industry difficult that he has decided to ask to be relieved from his duties as Minister

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) It is a different question.

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) It is most improper!

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) When will the scheme as envisaged by the Minister for Commerce and Industry start? Can he name a date?

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) You mean the 24 farmers?

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) Yes.

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) They are being recruited now. They have to undergo training. I think, for a few weeks in the Department, Sir, so that they will know how to give these inoculations. I really have not got the exact date, but I know that we are proceeding very actively with this scheme. I understand the farmers are very keen on it.

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) There seems to be a shortage of senior veterinary officers, and whilst some of them are being sent overseas for training, is the Minister for Commerce and Industry taking any immediate steps to see that there must be officers to help out during the period in between?

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) Therein, Sir lies the fact that I have to give a long oral reply. I will be very glad to hand this statement to my hon. Friend. [Indicating.] It is true that I have not read it out verbatim, but I think he can get the facts. Sir.

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) I think the method to be adopted in matters like this is, if a statement is inordinately long or contains figures, for the Minister to beg leave for that statement or those figures to be published in our Hansard. Mr Marshall, if you say that that is your wish, then all you have to do is to hand in your statement to the Clerk and it will be done.

VETERINARY OFFICERS (Shortage) I am grateful to you, Mr Speaker, Sir. If I may then, for the information of this House, repeat what perhaps the others have not also heard? We are recruiting now eight temporary inoculators full-time. We see no possibility of recruiting immediately senior officers, but we are recruiting four junior officers.

VISIT TO INDIA (Results) asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether the visit of the Assistant Minister for Commerce and Industry to India in December last was an official visit sponsored by the Government; and what were the results of the visit.

VISIT TO INDIA (Results) Yes, Sir. My colleague the Assistant Minister for Commerce and Industry accompanied me to New Delhi where we were the guests of the Government of India. He assisted me in my various discussions with the Prime Minister and other Ministerial colleagues in India, and after our interview with the Indian Minister for Commerce he carried on alone the discussions with the officials of that Ministry on the question of the grant of Commonwealth preference duties on exports of produce from Singapore. This is a matter, Sir, on which we have made repeated representations, and I have reason to believe that now with a fuller picture before them the Indian Government is reconsidering this request.

NEW INDUSTRIES asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry how many new industries were started and how many persons have been given employment in these new industries in the period April to December, 1954.

NEW INDUSTRIES asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry how many new industries were started and how many persons have been given employment in these new industries in the period April to December, 1955.

NEW INDUSTRIES Sir, may I answer this question and the one following, No. 12, at the same time? Mr Speaker indicated assent.

NEW INDUSTRIES I would inform the hon. Member that exact figures are not available. We do wish to give this House as much information as we can. We have made strenuous efforts to trace these figures but there is no compulsion for them to be given to Government. So far all we can trace is that between April and December 1954 there were 12 new factories established, employing 400 men. For the same period, Sir, in 1955 there were seven new factories employing 370 persons. But I will repeat: those are minimum figures. They are not exact.

NEW INDUSTRIES Is the Minister aware that the falling-off of these industries is a serious matter and will he state what steps he will take to remedy this defect?

NEW INDUSTRIES I find it more than a little surprising, Sir, to be told that the falling-off of employment from 400 people in 1954 to 370 new people in 1955 is a serious matter. But I do say, Sir, that it is a serious matter that we seek to give opportunity for more employment for our people. I will accept it if put on that basis. The hon. Member is fully aware of the steps that this Government is taking at the present moment in seeking the establishment of an Industrial Development Corporation on a Pan-Malayan basis as one of the steps to increase employment.

NEW INDUSTRIES Sir, is it not serious that there were more people finding new employment in 1954 than in 1955?

NEW INDUSTRIES We cannot have a debate at Question Time.

FOOD FOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRISONERS asked the Chief Secretary what food, in detail, is provided at present for European and Asian prisoners in the Prisons of Singapore.

FOOD FOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRISONERS Sir, diet scales for prisoners of different races in the Singapore Prisons were published in full detail in Supplement No. 8 of the Government Gazette dated 27th January, 1950, as Gazette Notification No. S 20. This Notification is still in force.

FOOD FOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRISONERS Would the Hon. the Chief Secretary enlighten this House as to the cost of food supplied to the Asian and European prisoners respectively?

FOOD FOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRISONERS Yes. The approximate cost for the European/Eurasian diet is $1.20 a day and that for the Asian is 75 cents.

FOOD FOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRISONERS Would the Hon. the Chief Secretary explain why there is such a big difference between the cost of the food supplied?

FOOD FOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRISONERS The difference arises, Sir, from the different nature of the food consumed.

FOOD FOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRISONERS Could we find out from the Chief Secretary what is the cause of the different nature of the food consumed?

FOOD FOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRISONERS The cause of the different nature of the food, Sir, arises from the different habits of the people concerned.

FOOD FOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRISONERS Could we find out the cause of these different habits?

ASSEMBLY HOUSE asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the earliest date when the whole of Assembly House will be placed under the jurisdiction of the Speaker.

ASSEMBLY HOUSE I regret I am not able to give any date.

ASSEMBLY HOUSE Would the Chief Secretary not agree that there is a danger, as long as the Chief Minister meets the people in this building, that the public at large may confuse this Assembly with part of the meet-the-people circus? [Interruption.]

ASSEMBLY HOUSE If I am asked to express my opinion, it is "No".

ASSEMBLY HOUSE Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Chief Secretary tell us if any effort at all is being made to remove all the unlawful occupants of this building - unlawful in the sense that these people should never have been allowed to remain or to enter this building after Mr Speaker took office?

ASSEMBLY HOUSE P.A.P. definition of law!

ASSEMBLY HOUSE I assume, Sir, that the hon. Member is referring in his usual courteous terms to my friend and leader the Chief Minister. As far as I am concerned, Sir, he is not an unlawful occupant of this building and I am making no effort at all to get him out.

ASSEMBLY HOUSE Does the Chief Secretary now admit that, when he said to the Assembly sometime last year, in answer to my question, that he was making attempts to provide other accommodation for the Chief Minister and his P.R.O., that that was a statement of untruth?

ASSEMBLY HOUSE I would refer the hon. Member, Sir, to the reply that I did give, which was that we were engaged in surveying our accommodation and planning for the future. I have not departed from that at all.

PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICERS - (Compulsory Retirement Age) asked the Chief Secretary whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy regarding the compulsory retirement age of officers of the Public Service.

PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICERS - (Compulsory Retirement Age) Sir, it has been decided that future entrants to the civil service should normally be required to retire at 60 years of age, with provision for retirement at 55 years in individual cases at the option of the officer or at the option of the Government. In order that the terms and conditions of service of serving officers should not be affected, the normal age of retirement for serving officers remains at 55, and I hope to introduce a Bill into this House shortly to give effect to these principles.

PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICERS - (Compulsory Retirement Age) Is it not a fact, Sir, that the retirement age was extended to 60 recently and then after that it was rescinded?

PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICERS - (Compulsory Retirement Age) Yes.

PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICERS - (Compulsory Retirement Age) In view of the fact that we are going on with Malayanisation, there would be a definite shortage of experienced officers and would that not affect the smooth running of this Malayanisation scheme?

PUBLIC SERVICE OFFICERS - (Compulsory Retirement Age) I would rather not prejudice the Report of the Malayanisation Commission.

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT - (Report) The following Question stood in the name of Mr Goh Tong Liang - 16. To ask the Minister for Communications and Works whether the Government intends to make public the report of the Commission on Public Transport.

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT - (Report) Mr Goh Tong Liang.

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT - (Report) Sir, the Public Transport Commission's report has been brought to the notice of the public, and I withdraw my question.

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT - (Report) I have called the question. You cannot withdraw it. Would the Minister for Communications and Works like to answer? Mr Francis Thomas indicated dissent.

COMMISSION ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT - (Report) No answer.

SCHOOL BUILDING COSTS WORKING PARTY REPORT asked the Minister for Communications and Works whether the Working Party set up to consider the building costs of schools has made its report; and whether he will give details of the conclusions arrived at.

SCHOOL BUILDING COSTS WORKING PARTY REPORT The question is in two parts, Mr Speaker. The answer to the First part is "No". Therefore the second part does not arise.

GOVERNMENT SCHOOL TEACHERS (RECRUITMENT) asked the Minister for Education whether teachers for Government Schools are being recruited from Hong Kong; and whether he will give full particulars regarding the methods of recruitment.

GOVERNMENT SCHOOL TEACHERS (RECRUITMENT) One of the purposes of my visit to Hong Kong was to find out if there were experienced and reliable teachers in Chinese there who might be available for service in Singapore. About 60 teachers were interviewed of whom eight were selected for further consideration if local suitable candidates cannot be found. All appointments are made by the Governor on the advice of the Public Services Commission.

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL asked the Minister for Education whether a Malay secondary school is scheduled to be built in 1956.

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL Government is in the process of building a number of new secondary schools this year, and it is possible that one of these may be set aside as a Malay secondary school.

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL Sir, will the Minister indicate what are the extent of the possibilities?

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL I do not understand the question.

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL The Minister said that it was possible that one of these secondary schools would be a Malay secondary school. What are the probabilities?

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL The probabilities lie within two factors. As soon as the buildings are completed, one of them may be set aside as a Malay secondary school. When the number of classes in the Malay secondary schools increases, they will be housed in this new Malay secondary school.

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL Could the Minister define what is a Malay school?

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL It is a different question.

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL The Hon. the Minister for Education mentioned that the probabilities lie between two factors. Is there not another factor - the fact that, as he said, he may not be able to get a sufficient number of teachers?

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL For one Malay secondary school I am able to find enough teachers for the time being but not for a long period or for any more secondary schools.

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL If that were so, Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister for Education tell us why he has been having trouble with some Malay students, because they claimed they wanted to be taught in Malay?

MALAY SECONDARY SCHOOL It is a different question.

ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS SPECIAL COURSES FOR STUDENTS asked the Minister for Education if he will make a statement on the special courses to be arranged for students who were unable to gain admission to Government secondary schools this year.

ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS SPECIAL COURSES FOR STUDENTS To meet the needs of those who have been unable to gain admission to secondary schools, plans are being made for evening classes to be held in various Government secondary school buildings. In the first instance, instruction will be given in the following subjects: English, Mathematics, Commercial Arithmetic, Elementary Book-keeping and Commercial Geography. Later, classes will be arranged, if possible, to provide teaching in Mandarin and Malay. As the Department already provides technical and commercial subjects for the older students at the Junior Trade School and Raffles Institution, these classes will be restricted to boys and girls of secondary school age who are not at present attending any secondary school. The aim of the classes is to prepare pupils for examination by the Royal Society of Arts. If they are a success and if the resources of the Department are adequate, the Government will consider extending the scope of the courses. At present a survey is being made of the demand for courses of this kind and of the staff available for teaching. When this survey has been completed, more definite information about the courses will be made available.

ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS SPECIAL COURSES FOR STUDENTS Sir, will the Minister state why these classes cannot be held in the afternoons? Is he not aware that it is not advisable for students to be at a loose end throughout the day?

ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS SPECIAL COURSES FOR STUDENTS Steps are being taken to house these students in the evenings because there are no primary school buildings available. They are all occupied in the afternoon, and the secondary schools cannot be used in the afternoon. That will deprive secondary school students of their other activities in the afternoon.

ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS SPECIAL COURSES FOR STUDENTS Has the Minister considered the possibility of using Radio Malaya for broadcasts to these students in the afternoons, thus reducing the number of qualified teachers required?

ADMISSION TO GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS SPECIAL COURSES FOR STUDENTS Broadcasts are being made now, Sir.

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare if he will state the number of unemployed registered during each of the months of July to December, 1954, and 1955.

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES Sir, there is no registration in Singapore of unemployed persons as such. The Government employment exchanges register any persons who seek assistance in finding employment. Registration for this purpose is entirely voluntary. Most of the persons who seek assistance through the exchanges are undoubtedly in need of employment, but some who are in employment and merely wish to change their jobs use the exchanges, and it is therefore not possible in all cases to distinguish between them. The number of persons registered for the first time at Government employment exchanges during the months July to December, 1954, and 1955 were as follows: July 1954 2,069 July 1955 1,246 August 1954 1,593 August 1955 1,472 September 1954 1,639 September 1955 1,281 October 1954 1,437 October 1955 1,221 November 1954 1,708 November 1955 1,302 December 1954 1,731 December 1955 1,479 Counts of persons, Sir, who register at Government employment exchanges and known to be actively seeking employment assistance have been made at regular intervals with the following result: July 1954 figures not available July 1955 5,581 August 1954 figures not available August 1955 5,249 September 1954 5,301 September 1955 4,928 October 1954 5,147 October 1955 4,738 November 1954 5,397 November 1955 5,033 December 1954 5,484 December 1955 4,686 As registration for employment at Government employment exchanges is entirely voluntary, the number of persons on the live register at any time does not depend solely on the number of unemployed in Singapore. For example, it has been found from experience that probably transport difficulties have caused many persons, believed to be still unemployed, to let their registrations lapse. When the exchanges have a few vacancies to offer, some persons who are unemployed cease to renew their registrations and the count of the persons on the live register falls. Similarly, when the word goes round that the exchanges have vacancies to offer, people rush to renew their registrations and the count goes up.

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES Will the Minister agree that the figures given are not in any way comparable with the real situation and that the actual situation of unemployment greatly exceeds that?

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES The actual figure for unemployment does exceed that, Sir, but not greatly, as stressed by the Member for Serangoon.

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES How does the Hon. the Minister for Labour know, if he has carried out no survey?

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES Has the Minister any objections in making registration of unemployed compulsory?

UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES It is a different question.

UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION - (Government Measures) asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare what step the Government is taking to cope with the unemployment situation.

UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION - (Government Measures) Sir, Government has taken and will continue to take all possible opportunities to stimulate new employment and to train workers for more skilled jobs. It has under consideration various medium and long-term measures for improving the employment potential of Singapore. The encouragement of new industries and the development of vocational training, both through academic institutions such as the Polytechnic and Ministry of Labour training centres, are being worked out with the other Ministries concerned. To relieve distress, the Social Welfare Department continues to operate the Public Assistance Scheme whilst more comprehensive schemes for providing unemployment benefits are being studied. I am not aware of anything to indicate that the unemployment situation has materially deteriorated since March last year. On the contrary, improved standards of living, as evidenced by an estimated rise of 15 per cent in the average earnings of manual workers during 1955, have undoubtedly increased consumer demands and so helped to reduce employment.