Hansard, 1957-06-19

The following Members have, under the provisions of subsection (3) (i) of section 47 of the Singapore Colony Order in Council, 1955, obtained from the Speaker permission to be or to remain absent from meetings of the Assembly: Mr Lim Yew Hock- from 25th May to the first week in July 1957; Mr Lim Koon Teck- extension of leave from 6th June to 14th June, 1957; Mr Lim Cher Kheng- from 15th June to 30th July, 1957.

Mr William Allmond Codrington Goode, C.M.G., Chief Secretary, took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance. Mr Thomas Mure Hart, C.M.G., Financial Secretary, took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance.

I have received a message from His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government of Singapore dated 28th May, 1957, informing me that His Excellency has, in accordance with the provisions of Section 62 (2) of the Singapore Colony Order in Council, 1955, assented to the following Bills : -

asked the Chief Minister whether he will make a statement regarding the transfer of Christmas Island to Australia.

Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Christmas Island referred to lies in the Indian Ocean some 800 miles to the south of Singapore. This island does not belong to Singapore. The Singapore Government was notified of the decision of the United Kingdom Government to effect the transfer, and accordingly noted the position.

Mr Speaker, Sir, does Christmas island not come under the definition of the "islands of Singapore" and is it not a fact that it has been administered by the Singapore Government?

Mr Speaker, Sir, for administrative reasons, Christmas island was transferred to the administration of Singapore in 1900, but I should like to draw the attention of the Member for Serangoon to the fact that Christmas Island is outside the present constitution, having been excluded from the Rendel Constitution Commission's Report. The hon. Member will no doubt be aware that Members of the former Progressive Party were represented on this Commission and were signatories to that Report.

Mr Speaker, Sir, this island is under the jurisdiction of Singapore, and giving it away to another country is, in fact, ceding away part of the territory. Is that not so, Sir?

Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said just now, this island does not belong to Singapore, it belongs to the United Kingdom Government.

asked the Chief Minister what steps are being taken to set up the tripartite committee to deal with the employment problem affecting the civilian employees in the Armed Services; and whether the Government has adopted or will adopt measures to assist workers who have already been retrenched or will be retrenched in the immediate future.

Mr Speaker, Sir, before he left for Europe last month the Chief Minister made it known that he would, while in London, take up with the United Kingdom Government the question of the early setting up of the Tripartite Consultative Committee which was agreed upon when he was there in March and April 1957. As these are matters being personally handled by the Chief Minister, a full reply to the first part of the question must await his return. With regard to the second part of the question, the Government Employment Exchange has done and will do everything possible to assist the retrenched workers. Lists of their occupations have been sent to 29 employers who have been asked if they can offer any vacancies which would be suitable. The Exchange is awaiting the results. The same assistance will be given to other employees of the Armed Services if they should be retrenched in the immediate future.

Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Government name a date when this tripartite committee will be set up? The Government, I think, should be informed on that. On the second question of aid to those workers who have been retrenched or will be retrenched, can the Government adopt a more concrete form than the general form of registration of all people who are unemployed?

Mr Speaker, Sir, to the first part of the supplementary question, I am afraid I have nothing further to add.

Shame.

To the second part of the question, I should say this: that Government departments have been supplied with the lists of occupations and asked to see whether they have any suitable vacancies.

Can the Government inform this House, Sir, whether there are vacancies open for the people who have been retrenched?

Mr Speaker, Sir, we are in no position to make any definite statement regarding that.

asked the Chief Minister whether he will state the number of days' leave of absence from Singapore granted, individually and collectively, to Ministers, other than ex-officio Ministers, from 2nd April, 1955, to 30th June, 1957, and the cost to the Colony in travelling and other expenses which such leave of absence has involved.

Mr Speaker, Sir, as the information sought involves columns of figures and is of some length. I will circulate the information requested by the hon. Member for Tanglin in the Official Report.

Sir, I think this is a matter of importance to the people of Singapore and we should be informed now. Following is the information: Leave Of Absence To Ministers(Cols 2027-2034)

asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare-

To question (a) Sir, 292 persons. (b) Accommodation at Bushey Park and Nantina Homes offered, but the victims declined the offer and preferred to stay with relatives and friends. (c) 225 persons have registered with the Singapore Improvement Trust for accommodation which will be available about October 1957. (d) Here are the particulars: On 23rd May the Singapore Welfare Donation Chest gave out $4,960: the Silver Jubilee Fund $1,330. On 25th May the Singapore Welfare Donation Chest gave out $480; the Silver Jubilee Fund $45. On 27th May the Blue Cross Association donated rice and household goods to the value of $2,000. On 8th June the Singapore Joint Relief Organisation donated $8,520. On 11th June the Singapore Welfare Donation Chest donated $1,990; the Silver Jubilee Fund $40; Dr Chen Su Lan Trust $500. On 12th June the Singapore Welfare Donation Chest donated $520: the Silver Jubilee Fund $15. The total is $20,800.

Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that he is much more accommodating in giving columns of figures than the Acting Chief Minister?

asked the Chief Secretary what steps have been or are being taken to grant citizenship or voting rights to aliens resident in Singapore in accordance with the terms of the agreement reached at the London constitutional talks in March/April this year; and whether Government has fixed a target date for the holding of the Legislative Assembly general elections.

Sir, good progress has been made in drafting a Citizenship Bill and consideration has already been given to the arrangements required for carrying out the registration of citizens under that legislation. The date for holding general elections to the Legislative Assembly depends on enacting this legislation, on the period for the registration of persons eligible for citizenship, and the time required for the subsequent preparation of new electoral rolls. We have also to prepare new electoral rolls in order to hold local government elections at the end of this year and the beginning of next year. So far as can be judged at present, I doubt whether it is possible to hold elections to the Legislative Assembly before August next year.

Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Hon. the Chief Secretary inform the House when the proposed Citizenship Bill will come before the House?

I was hoping, Sir, that we could lay the Bill for First Reading at our next sitting in July. We will do that if possible, but I think it more probable that it will be the August sitting.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will make arrangements for the Assembly Hansard and other publications presented to this House which are not published in the Government Gazette to be made available to the public (i) by annual subscription and (ii) at rates cheaper than the existing rates.

Sir, both the size and the number of issues of Hansard and other publications vary very greatly from year to year. It is impossible, therefore, to foresee even approximately the number of copies involved, and so it is not possible to fix annual subscription rates. However, the Government Printer accepts deposits against which these publications are supplied immediately on issue to subscribers. These publications are sold at a price which barely covers the cost of the paper and other material used. A reduction in price would cause a considerable loss of revenue, and I do not consider that it would bring any corresponding increase in sales.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he will take steps to prevent persons who have registered in the Tanjong Pagar Electoral Division at addresses which are not and never have been their usual place of residence from voting at the coming by-elections; and whether steps will be taken against them under paragraph (2) of Regulation 16 of the Registration of Persons Regulations, 1955.

No, Sir. The electoral roll for the coming by elections in Tanjong Pagar was certified on 15th September last year and cannot now be altered. As regards the possibility of prosecution under Regulation 16 of the Registration of Persons Ordinance, any information which the hon. Member can give to the police, indicating that an offence has been committed, will be investigated.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he is aware of the mosquito nuisance in the vicinity of the Serangoon Garden Estate, and what steps will be taken to abate such nuisance.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been informed by the Rural Board that Serangoon Garden Estate is a private housing estate and that the responsibility for maintenance of the roadside drains and other mosquito-breeding areas lies with the developers or the purchasers of lots in the housing estate until the drains are taken over by the Rural Board. The Board has taken over only part of the roads and drains in the estate and the Board's cleansing section has already attended to the drains in this part. Notices have been served on the developers for the proper maintenance of the drains in the remaining part of the estate. Until the roads and drains in this remaining part are also taken over, action has been taken by the Board principally in the control of malaria transmitting mosquitoes.

Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that mosquito-breeding also stems from lands around the estate which are mostly swamps, and what action has been taken in that direction?

Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that there is mosquito nuisance in his own Ministry and in his own room?

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware of the mosquito nuisance in my own Ministry and in my own room, but unfortunately the mosquitoes are not residents of Serangoon Garden Estate!

Sir, does this not point to the inefficiency of the service?

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands, and Housing whether he will consider taking steps to have the proposed rents of $30/$35 per month for the new Singapore Improvement Trust flats in the Albert Street, Prinsep Street and Short Street area reduced at least to the levels of rentals of $10 to $20 per month now being paid by the residents of houses shortly to be demolished.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the reply is no. The White Paper on housing subsidy policy gives the method of subsidising public housing which the Government is following. In the case of flats now being built under S.I.T. Programme No. 8 for rentals of $30/$35 per month, the Government is paying a rent subsidy of, say, $30/$40 on each flat each month which, in effect, means that, but for the subsidy, the rents for these flats would be somewhere in the region of $60/$75 per month.

Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that some private builders are offering houses which are three times the size of the present flats at about $100 per month?

Quote facts.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he is aware that there is a great demand by the inhabitants of Bulim Village in Chua Chu Kang for electricity; and when will electricity be supplied to them.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware of the desire of the inhabitants of Bulim Village and others for a supply of electricity to their village. Electricity supplies have not been possible in the past as there were no electricity mains in the vicinity of Bulim Village and the cost of a scheme to supply electricity to a comparatively small and distant village would be prohibitive. However, I am informed by the City Council that a scheme for supplying the R.A.F. Station at Tengah with electricity has been prepared and should be operating by the end of the year or early in 1958. When this scheme has been completed, it will be possible for the Government to request the City Council to consider a subsidiary scheme to supply a number of villages along Chua Chu Kang Road.

Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that a line has been laid in Chua Chu Kang Road, and that when I wrote to the City Engineer enquiring whether he could supply electricity to the households, he said, no, it was a very high tension wire?

Hon. Members must not merely supply information. They should ask questions.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing the reasons for the delay in utilising the new bridges constructed across the Bukit Timah Canal between the 5th and 7th milestones on Bukit Timah Road.

I am informed by the Rural Board, Sir, that there has been no delay.

Sir, will the Minister state whether it is the intention to have one-way traffic along the Bukit Timah/ Dunearn Road area when the bridges are completed?

The answer is yes.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing-

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am informed by the Singapore Improvement Trust as follows: (a) The number of terrace and shop premises in the Alexandra/Queenstown area which were required to pay an increase in rent was 39 out of the total number of 66 rentals reviewed by the Board of Trustees of the Singapore Improvement Trust. Of the remaining 27 rentals, there were 25 where the rents remained unaltered, and two cases of a reduction of $10 and $25 per month respectively. The average increase in rent was $25, which is equal to a percentage increase in rent of 16.7 per cent. The original rents were based by tender. (b) It was previously the policy of the Board of Trustees to review all new shop rentals after a minimum of twelve months' tenancy. On first letting, the true market value cannot be correctly assessed, and is therefore only an estimate. After a shopping centre has been established for at least twelve months, a clearer picture can be obtained, and an adjustment is then made either by decreasing or increasing the rentals, having regard to the past experience of the letting demand and the established market value. However, Sir, the Board at its last meeting decided that such a review should be made only after three years. (c) The Board has discretion to fix rents for the tenancies of shop premises and it is therefore a question for decision by the Board, but, as I have already said, the Board has now decided to review rents only after a period of three years. In this particular case, one year has now elapsed and the review will be after another two years. This is purely a matter for the Board and I do not see any necessity for an enquiry.

Mr Speaker, Sir, am I to understand from the Minister's statement that the increases will not now be enforced?

Sir, the increases will not now be enforced, but the decreases will be enforced.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he will state-

The matter of fixing rents for shop premises, Sir, is purely a matter for the Singapore Improvement Trust. I am informed by the Board, with regard to these questions, that-

Mr Speaker, is the Minister aware that the retail prices in the shops are higher than those in the city and that Queenstown residents are going to the city to get their domestic needs instead of buying at these shops? Is the Minister also not aware that this is due to the high rents which are paid, and will he not consider a further reduction in respect of shops other than the two already referred to?

I am not aware, Sir.

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing to state the names of the persons nominated by him or by the Governor in Council who are now serving on the Board of Trustees of the S.I.T., and the dates of such nominations.

Mr Speaker, Sir, neither the Governor in Council nor the Minister appoints members of the Board of Trustees of the Singapore Improvement Trust, except in one case where the Governor in Council appoints the Manager. The last appointment was on the 1st of September, 1956, when Mr Fraser was appointed Chairman of the Singapore Improvement Trust.

asked the Minister for Education-

Sir, so far only five Chinese school teachers are known to have been paid in error sums in excess of their correct salaries. (b) Sir, this is due to a misunderstanding by the schools that over-payments of salaries could be refunded by instalments. (c) Only one case has been brought to my Ministry's notice. (d) Yes, I am aware that some refunds could cause hardships to such teachers, and as soon as I learned of such cases, I gave immediate instructions that deductions must be made by reasonable instalments.

asked the Minister for Education the reasons for the delay in implementing the policy of equal conditions of service in all Chinese schools which have accepted full aid, and when the special-post allowances to principals in such schools will be paid.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the implementation of the policy of equal conditions of service in all Chinese schools that come into the full aid scheme has not been completed as early as I had wished, partly because of shortage of staff in the Ministry, and partly because service conditions for Chinese teachers have brought in fresh problems of Chinese qualifications of which there are many, and the recognition of past services. All these present a big administrative problem and must take time to solve. The question of post allowances in the Chinese schools is being examined and it is hoped that this question will be settled in the very near future.

Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that all Parties are agreed on the policy of equality for Chinese schools and that through this delay the Chinese schools no longer believe that the Government supports this policy?

asked the Minister for Health why the report of his Ministry for 1955 was published only in May 1957; and when it is proposed to publish the report for 1956.

Mr Speaker, Sir, owing to the increased expansion of the medical services and the necessity for carefully checking the volume of statistical material included in the Report, it was not possible to bring it out earlier. The Statistics Department had been put on other urgent commitments, one of which was the work relating to elections which entailed a tremendous amount of work. It was therefore not possible for the Department to work on detailed data exclusively and to submit to my Ministry the essential statistical details in time. Without such material, even textual matters could not be elaborated on adequately. It is not possible for me to say when the 1956 Annual Report will be published.

Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that these Reports inevitably become of very much less value if published a year later?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Minister for Communications and Works whether Government has taken or will take steps to assist those at present referred to as pirate-taxi drivers to obtain proper licences.

No, Sir. This is wholly a matter for the City Council. I do not propose to infringe on their autonomy.

asked the Minister for Communications and Works whether he is aware that there is a great demand by the inhabitants of Bulim Village in Chua Chu Kang for telephones; and when will telephones be installed in that area.

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the need and of the demand for telephones in Bulim Village and indeed in the rural areas of Singapore generally. The hon. Member is, however, doubtless aware that the provision of telephone services is a matter for the Singapore Telephone Board. The Board has its plans for the progressive extension of these services and I am not in a position to answer for the Board as to when a service will be provided in any particular area for it to meet the demand of that area, if the hon. Member will approach the Chairman of the Board, I am sure he will be fully advised of the prospects of the service to which he refers and when it will be provided.

Mr Speaker, Sir, do I understand that as a Minister he has no hold on the Telephone Board?

That is exactly what the Minister said - he has no ministerial responsibility.

asked the Minister for Communications and Works if he is aware of the urgent need to widen Holland Road from its junction with Ulu Pandan Road to its junction with Bukit Timah Road; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Rural Board has already gone into this matter and has found that it is not feasible to straighten and widen this segment of Holland Road as it would necessitate the acquisition of land within fairly new Chinese cemeteries. Provision has already been made in this year's Rural Board estimate for a link road from approximately the 5¾ milestone Holland Road to join up Bukit Timah Road at the 6th milestone. This would make the widening of Holland Road unnecessary. The making-up of Coronation Road as another link road is also in train.

Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister not aware that even a minor widening of the stretch of Holland Road under reference would assist traffic a very great deal?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry-

Eight applications for licences for deep-sea fishing were received when Government invited applications in May 1956. During 1957 four further applications have been received. (b) Three licences have been granted in accordance with Government's decision. (c) When applications were invited in May 1956, certain conditions had to be fulfilled before an application was considered. These conditions were set out in Press advertisements, and the hon. Member can refer to them in the Straits Times and the Singapore Standard of 16th and 17th April, 1956. Licences were granted to three applicants who, in Government's opinion, offered the best prospects for rapid training of local personnel with greatest participation of local interests and increase in the supply of fish from deep-sea off-shore fishing grounds. I may add that subsequently the following four extra conditions were added to the licences granted: (1) Fishing should not be carried out within 35 miles of the Malayan coast. (2) Only four vessels are to be used by each company. (3) The fish caught must be landed in Singapore Port for sale and must not be landed in any other territory. (4) The approved training scheme must be implemented within six months of the grant of the licence. (d) The maximum number of licences which the Government was prepared to grant initially was three. It was necessary to study the effect of trawl fish landings on the price structure of fish in Singapore to ensure that the local industry will not be upset and that Singapore fishermen will not be unduly affected by too rapid a lowering of fish prices. This study takes time as it involves the collection of price statistics over at least a period of six months in order to take into account the seasonal variation in prices. The position is being reviewed by the Government and a decision will be made in respect of the question of granting of more licences. (e) No expense was incurred apart from the cost of advertisement in the local Press calling for applications. It is not envisaged that any great expenditure will be incurred if it is decided to grant more licences. (f) The increase in the country's fish landings, if more licences are granted, depends on the method of fishing employed and the experience of the Japanese fishermen in locating good fishing grounds.

Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Minister not consider that increased fish supplies would be welcomed by the people of Singapore, because food prices will come down even more, and that the increase of licences would definitely help to bring in more food supplies?

We cannot have a debate on the question.

asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry what are the reasons for the delay in setting up a central wholesale fish market.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the delay is due to the difficulty of getting a suitable site for the market. There is only one suitable site in the city area which is still unutilised, and that is at the end of the old Kallang Airport runway, but this area has been earmarked by the Planning Co-ordinating Committee for development as a public park by the City Council. The conflicting interests have therefore to be sorted out and the matter is now under consideration by Government.

When will Government complete consideration of these things and when will work start on this new market?

When the conflicting interests are sorted out, Sir.

Mr Speaker, Sir, hon. Members will recall that at the last sitting of the Assembly I promised to make an announcement shortly on Government policy in respect of the tourist industry. I am now in a position to make this announcement. In order that the industry receives expert attention, Government has decided, as a first step, to recruit an expert in tourist promotion work from overseas and appoint him as Director of Tourism in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The choice of a suitable candidate would be made from countries where the tourist industry has been developed to a very high standard. At the same time, for the purpose of giving advice to Government, it is proposed to appoint an Advisory Committee from persons in Singapore who have had experience of, and are connected with, the tourist industry, such as persons connected with shipping and air travel, hotels, travel agencies and shops catering for tourists. This Advisory Committee will not only give advice and guidance to the Director of Tourism on the setting up of tourist bureaux and information centres in Singapore and elsewhere, on providing and advertising attractions for tourists in Singapore and on all other steps necessary to attract tourists, but will also be entrusted with the special task of promoting the formation and fostering the growth of a Local Travel Association consisting of those interested in and catering for the tourist trade. It is envisaged that, as soon as the industry is organised and a strong travel association formed, promotion of tourism would be taken over by a statutory board on which the Travel Association would be well represented. For the purpose of development of tourism in the Colony, Government will seek approval for the provision of adequate funds which, for the first year, are estimated to be of the order of $300,000, as soon as the Director of Tourism has been appointed. 10.36 a.m.

"to amend the Architects Ordinance (Chapter 189 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Communications and Works (Mr Francis Thomas); read the First time, to be read a Second time on Wednesday, 17th July, 1957, and to be printed.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I move. That at its rising at the termination of business this day, the Assembly do stand adjourned to Wednesday, 17th July, 1957.

I second it.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That at its rising at the termination of business this day, the Assembly do stand adjourned to Wednesday, 17th July, 1957.

Order for Second Reading read. 10.38 a.m.

Sir, I move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The purpose of this short Bill, Sir, is fully explained in the note appended to it. The Licences Ordinance now makes provision for delegation of the licensing powers of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, but it does not make provision for delegation of the licensing powers of the Commissioner of Police. It is not necessary that the Commissioner of Police should be burdened with the issue of petty licences. In fact, it is more important that he should be relieved than the Deputy Commissioner, and the purpose of this Bill, Sir, is to enable the Commissioner's powers of licensing also to be delegated to the appropriate police officer.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Committee stage, what day?

Now, Sir. Sir, I move, That this Assembly will immediately resolve itself into a Committee on the Bill.

Sir, I second it.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill considered in Committee.

10.39 a.m. Clauses 1 and 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Sir, I move, "That the Bill be reported to the Assembly."

Question put, and agreed to. Bill reported, without Amendment.

Third Reading, what day?

Now, Sir. Sir, I move, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."

Sir, I second it.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read the Third time.

Order for Second Reading read. 10.40 a.m.

Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Again, Sir, this Bill is fully explained in the Explanatory Note. By substituting the Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, it will be possible, under the provisions of the Licences Ordinance, to appoint the officer in charge of the Second-hand Dealers' Branch in the C.I.D. to be the licensing officer under this Second-hand Dealers Ordinance, and that will make for administrative convenience and greater efficiency. I should perhaps add that under section 4 (2) of the Ordinance, any person who is aggrieved by the refusal of the licensing officer to grant a licence has a right of appeal to the Governor. Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Committee stage, what day?

Now, Sir. Sir, I beg to move, That this Assembly will immediately resolve itself into a Committee on the Bill.

Sir, I second it.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill considered in Committee.

10.42 a.m. Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 2-

Mr Chief Secretary, the clause reads: 'Section 3 of the Second-hand Dealers Ordinance is hereby amended by deleting the words and commas "Assistant Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department",...'. Within the inverted commas, I see only one comma. I think possibly there should be another comma immediately after the word "Department".

I am much obliged to you, Sir. That is correct. There should be a second comma.

The comma will be put in as a matter of course. Clause 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be reported to the Assembly."

Question put, and agreed to. Bill reported, without Amendment.

Third Reading, what day?

Now, Sir. Sir, I move, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."

Sir, I second it.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read the Third time.

Order for Second Reading read. 10.45 a.m.

Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, section 15 of the main Ordinance requires that the electoral register for each electoral division be revised each year not later than the 15th September or such later date as the Governor may decide. The purpose of this Bill is to dispense with that revision in respect of the present year. The reason for seeking this dispensation is that it is not possible to complete the preparation of the electoral rolls for City Council elections to be held in December this year, if a revision of the Legislative Assembly rolls also has to be completed by 15th September. I am sure, Sir, that all members of this House will agree that it is of over-riding importance that elections to the City Council should not be further delayed; whereas the statutory revision of the Legislative Assembly electoral rolls must become of less importance the nearer we get to the time when the whole basis of the Legislative Assembly franchise will be changed. As I have already said, Sir, we hope to introduce at an early date a Citizenship Bill which will make provision for a new form of citizenship. That will mean a complete recasting of the Legislative Assembly electoral rolls, and since it is our intention that the next general elections to this Assembly shall be held on the basis of the new franchise, then revision of the present electoral rolls does seem to be of secondary value. It will, however, require a very great deal of work. It is estimated that there would be as many as 150,000 changes to be made as compared with the roll certified in September last year and those changes would occupy the tabulating machines and staff of the Statistics Department for at least 30 days. Thereafter the roll has to be printed and published; we have to give time to hear claims and objections, and recheck and reprint; and all that time work on preparing the City Council electoral rolls would be delayed. As I have said, Sir, if the City Council elections are to be held in December, then we must enable those concerned with preparing those rolls to give every effort to that task alone, and I therefore ask that they be relieved of the statutory obligation to revise the Legislative Assembly electoral rolls this year. Question proposed. 10.49 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, we on this side of the House are willing, in principle, to support this Bill so that the City Council elections can be held not later than at the end of this year. Everyone in Singapore is anxious that this state of affairs should not continue any longer. Everyone is dissatisfied. I am glad that the Hon. the Chief Secretary has given the assurance that the City Council elections will be held at the end of this year. Sir, as far as the Legislative Assembly electoral rolls are concerned, we are very much worried. We do agree that the next general elections to the Legislative Assembly should be held on the basis of the new franchise and when the new electoral rolls come into force. We want the citizens of Singapore to get themselves registered so that they can take part in the elections. This is our stand. Sir, the present Coalition Government is composed of seven elected Members from the Labour Front (six from the Labour Front and one Independent joining them, making seven in all) and three Alliance Members, giving a total of ten elected Members on the Government side out of a total of 25 elected Members. Their ex-Chief Minister (Mr David Marshall) wanted elections in August this year, but because of the delay in holding them, he became disgusted and resigned. Now, Sir, may I ask this question: Is this minority Government of ten-

Order. I do not see how those remarks of the hon. Member have any relation to the Bill before the House, which is simply a provision to suspend the operation of a section of the Legislative Assembly Elections Ordinance.

What I am pointing out is that we are being asked to give our assent to something which does not state definitely when this new register will be completed and when the elections will be held, and the present Government, with the aid of its ex-officio and nominated Members, can continue in office. That is the point I am making, Sir. If you are satisfied, I will continue, Sir.

I am certainly not satisfied at all. The hon. Member can, of course, raise that point in another way, either by filing a motion or speaking on the adjournment. But at the moment we are considering a Bill which merely asks for the suspension of a certain provision in the Legislative Assembly Elections Ordinance, a question of whether or not the electoral rolls should be revised this year.

Sir, I bow to the Chair when it points out that I can make all the points which I have made in a separate motion or in an adjournment speech. That being so, I will take the opportunity of doing so and show to the people of Singapore that what is continuing is an undemocratic government and a colonial government.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Committee stage, what day?

Now, Sir. Sir, I move, That this Assembly will immediately resolve itself into a Committee on the Bill.

Sir, I second it.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill considered in Committee.

10.54 a.m. Clauses 1 to 3 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Sir, I move, "That the Bill be reported to the Assembly."

Question put, and agreed to. Bill reported, without Amendment.

Third Reading, what day?

Now, Sir. Sir, I move, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."

Sir, I second it.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read the Third time.

10.55 a.m.

Sir, I have His Excellency's authority to move, That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $1,228,433 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 22 of 1957. Sir, the explanations of all the items in the Schedule are given in the Schedule but I shall be happy to amplify these explanations if hon. Members so desire. Sir, I beg to move.

Sir, I second it.

Motion and Schedule considered in Committee of Supply.

10.57 a.m. Schedule

We will deal with the Schedule. The summary is at page 14. Head 4- The sum of $710 for Head 4 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 10- The sum of $8,434 for Head 10 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 12- The sum of $1,544 for Head 12 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 20- The sum of $97,862 for Head 20 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 21- The sum of $4,200 for Head 21 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 30- The sum of $450 for Head 30 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 38- The sum of $15,627 for Head 38 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 44- The sum of $70,500 for Head 44 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 46- The sum of $10 for Head 46 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head 60- The sum of $19,908 for Head 60 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head D9- The sum of $22,100 for Head D9 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. 11.00 a.m. Head D12- Question proposed, "That the sum of $205,300 for Head D12 stand part of the Schedule."

Mr Chairman, Sir, this item shows that an amount of $205,300 is required for additions as are necessary to the temporary camp at Ulu Pandan. It is rather alarming to us that a temporary camp should require such a large sum of expenditure, and we would like to know the details for which this sum is required.

Sir, if I may reply first of all to the very natural criticism of the hon. Member for Paya Lebar as to why we should spend a further $200,000 or so on what purports to be a temporary camp, I must say that it is unlikely that this camp will not be required for a number of years. We have considered the cost of building permanent accommodation for the Singapore Battalion, and we shall want a very large sum indeed if we are to provide permanent accommodation up to the standards that are expected. It will be a figure somewhere in the order of ten or twelve million dollars, which is a very big sum and will make a very big demand on our public works capacity. I think it would be prudent, therefore, to work on the assumption that the Battalion will occupy this temporary camp for at least two, three or four years, and that being so, we must organise the camp accordingly. Hon. Members will remember that we put up this temporary camp as rapidly as we could and with the minimum possible accommodation. If we could see our way to moving the Battalion within a matter of months, then we could manage in the camp as it is today, but as I said, it is prudent, I think, to provide for the Battalion staying there for at least two or three years, and once we posit that, we must then posit that we shall have a full Battalion in that camp for a period of a year or two. That immediately raises one big question, and that is water supply. The site was laid out and the main hutments were built as far as possible along the lower contours of the ground. At the moment they are the only accommodation that is occupied but as the numbers increase, it will be essential to use the higher levels of that camp and that means putting in a local water supply scheme to get water to the top level of the camp so that there is sufficient pressure to provide for the necessary washing and other facilities, and that is the expensive item in this vote for which I am now seeking approval; that is an item of $66,000. There are other items which go to make up the sum of $205,300. There is at present no proper guard room or armoury. These two items are essential if the camp is to continue and the weapons of the whole Battalion are to be kept in the camp, and they come to another $33,500. We also must provide an M.T. workshop which will cost about $17,000. The Battalion has already got about eight vehicles. They are new vehicles. At the moment they are standing in the open and it is not economical, hon. Members will agree, to allow motor transport to stand indefinitely in the open. It is also right and proper that the men in the Battalion should learn to maintain and do minor repairs on their own vehicles. For this purpose we must have a proper M.T. shed and workshop, and the estimate for that is $17,000. Another item is a 30-yard range on the camp. We made no provision originally for such a range, hoping that if we were only occupying it for a short period of time, it would be satisfactory to ferry the troops from the Battalion to other 30-yard ranges. But as soon as we contemplate staying longer in the camp I think it is essential there should be a 30-yard range so that the men can go down and practise shooting without the delay and expense of being ferried by lorries all over Singapore Island. There are a number of other detailed items which I can let the hon. Member have but it will perhaps take too long to detail to the Assembly now. I would give this further assurance, that we do not propose to embark immediately on spending of the whole of this $200,000. There will be phases and the first vital requirements are the armoury so that they can keep their weapons; getting the water supply up to the top of the hill so that they can use those huts at the top; we want to be able to open an officers' mess there. We have five local boys who are going on officer cadet courses - three are already up in the Federation at the Military College and two more are shortly to leave for Australia and will be back within the year; and we want to start getting the appurtenances of this camp so that we can build up a spirit in the Battalion. I am sure that other Members of this House as well as I got considerable satisfaction out of seeing the small squad on the Queen's Birthday Parade last week which was the first formal occasion on which the Singapore Infantry Regiment appeared before the public. If I am not ruled out of order, I would mention one further point, that two more squads will be passing out after recruit training on 27th July and if any Member of the House would care to come and see it, I would be very happy to arrange it.

Mr Chairman, it does seem to us that there is considerable danger of the Government falling between two stools in this matter. Once you decide to stay in temporary premises for three or four years, it is inevitable that you will have to put more money into the venture, into something which later you propose to abandon. Therefore there may eventually be a considerable waste of public money. Once you put money into a particular site which you intend to be temporary and then you hold it longer than you at first intended, at the same time planning something which will make it necessary to build a permanent camp somewhere else later, there is wastage; that seems to me to be the danger which the Government is running into. Of course we are entirely in favour of comfortable quarters for the Singapore Battalion in every kind of way but I think it is only right that we on this side of the House should point out the danger that the Government is running into in respect of the use of public money.

Sir, I do not think I can accept the suggestion that there is a danger of waste on this. We have decided to raise a battalion; you cannot do it without getting some place to accommodate it. I think we are all agreed and we all fully support the immediate raising of this Battalion. I have already said if you wish to build permanent accommodation it will probably take at least two years to do so and the cost will be someting like twelve million dollars. In the meantime we must have accommodation into which this Battalion can be placed and if we spend a total sum of just under $1,000,000 which will provide us with accommodation for our Battalion for the next three or four years and for which no doubt we shall be able to find a useful purpose thereafter, I do not for one minute think that we are wasting any money at all. One further comment, Sir, I would like to make, is on the suggestion - which I fully support - that the members of the Battalion should have comfortable quarters. I do not think that their present accommodation can be said to come up to that standard. They are living in temporary metal huts and while these are adequate they are not yet comfortable.

Question put, and agreed to. The sum of $205,300 for Head D 12 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head D 44- The sum of $128,691 for Head D 44 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head D 53- The sum of $15,000 for Head D 53 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head D 55- The sum of $22,360 for Head D 55 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head D 60- The sum of $71,283 for Head D 60 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head D 62- The sum of $548,374 for Head D 62 ordered to stand part of the Schedule. The sum of $1,228,433 for the Heads of Expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule ordered to stand part of the motion. Motion and Schedule reported, without Amendment. Question, "That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $1,228,433 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 22 of 1957.", put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $1,228,433 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 22 of 1957.

Order for Second Reading read. 11.14 a.m.

Sir, I move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." In a government Bill, Sir, the objects and reasons are contained in a note at the end of the Bill. This being a private Bill, all the reasons are incorporated in the Bill itself and are set out as recitals. Briefly, they are as follows: that the Little Sisters of the Poor was constituted in France in the year 1893; these Sisters of the Poor have done very good work in Singapore - this I think is well known to all of us - and they have established a home in Thomson Road; after these years of work in Singapore they have managed to receive certain funds and they wish now to extend their activities to the Federation of Malaya; they have some buildings and land, and funds to invest, and for the purpose of investment and owning of property they wish their charitable concern to be incorporated. Sir,I think this is a deserving cause and there is not much need for me to say anything more. Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Sir, I beg to move, That the Bill be committed to a Select Committee consisting of Mr Speaker as Chairman and such Members as may be nominated by the Committee of Selection.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved. That the Bill be committed to a Select Committee consisting of Mr Speaker as Chairman and such Members as may be nominated by the Committee of Selection.

11.17 a.m.

Sir, I move, That this Assembly do now adjourn.

I second the motion. Question proposed.

Mr Speaker, Sir, political Parties have been refused permission to use Radio Malaya for political broadcasts in the by-elections that will soon be held in Tanjong Pagar and Cairnhill. These by-elections, Sir, are not ordinary ones. They were occasioned by the resignations of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Secretary of the People's Action Party, and Mr David Saul Marshall (who had challenged Mr Lee) when the All-Party stand on the constitutional agreement was debated in this House in April. The issues involved, Sir, are of great public importance, important enough to be put to the public of Singapore through the medium of Radio Malaya. All political Parties have subscribed to the All-Party stand on the constitutional issue. Why should we not have the use of Radio Malaya to expose the shameless opportunist move of the Liberal-Socialists in trying to get two more seats in the by-elections which will be held to justify the stand they are supposed to be supporting? Even whilst these by-elections are about to take place, the Liberal-Socialists have come under the control of a merchant who describes himself-

Order. I do not think I can allow electioneering speeches in this Assembly. We are now discussing radio broadcasts for political Parties, that is radio broadcasts for political Parties in general.

I am sorry, Sir. The so-called Liberals and their Party are therefore now openly playing-

Order. The hon. Member must realise I have ruled that out of order.

Sir, there is no better medium by which the public of Singapore can be informed of these shameless gambles than through the medium of Radio Malaya.

Order. If the hon. Member will not keep to order then I must ask him to sit down. The hon. Member must on this adjournment motion speak only about radio broadcasts for political Parties in general.

Sir, it is the duty of Radio Malaya to serve the public of Singapore and it can do this best simply if it permits election broadcasts by all political Parties including the capitalist interests of the Liberal-Socialists. Surely the Government cannot deny political Parties the right to make their stand through the medium of the radio? 11.21 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the only media of mass propaganda in Malaya today which is not controlled by capitalist vested interests is Radio Malaya. At election time, Sir, it is unrealistic to expect newspapers to give the Parties enough publicity. We understand these newspapers are mostly owned by capitalist interests and we cannot expect them to give fair and unbiased reports of the stand of the competing political Parties. But we have the right, Sir, to expect a Government-controlled radio station to give all political Parties the chance to express their ideas and ideals. It is the job of Radio Malaya, whether in a general election or a by-election, to help the working of the democratic system. What harm can there be in giving legally constituted political Parties the opportunity to place their stand thoroughly before the people of Malaya and to persuade them to vote for a particular Party? Everyone knows that all political Parties are now gearing up for the general elections under the new Constitution. These by-elections, Sir, are a test of the strength of the respective organisations and policies. Surely it will help the Parties to put over their policies and Party stands to the public. The public can understand what the issues are if all Parties are given the opportunity during election time of broadcasting their programmes and stands over Radio Malaya. 11.23 a.m.

Sir, the best reason for the Government not granting permission for Radio Malaya to be used has been furnished by the mover of the motion, the Member for Ponggol-Tampenis, this morning.

Order. I do not think the Member has moved any motion at all.

I mean the speech of the Member for Ponggol-Tampenis. It is quite clear that if the radio is to be used, it will be used as a means of exciting the emotions of the people not only in the constituencies where the by-elections are to be fought, but over the Island as a whole. I am quite certain it was never the intention that such means of reaching the public as the radio should be used in that way, as a means of attacking the Parties and possibly also the candidates. I am quite sure that other Members of this House will agree with me that the manner in which the speech of the Member for Ponggol-Tampenis was made has precluded any sympathy for him. 11.25 a.m.

Sir, Government has given its earnest and most careful consideration to the question of allowing broadcast facilities to candidates contesting the coming Assembly by-elections as were given to the candidates in the general elections in 1955. The questions were whether or not broadcasting facilities should be offered to candidates in the by-elections generally or to those representing political Parties alone. These are the first by-elections to be held since the general elections in 1955. The question is should the procedure in a by-election differ from that in a general election? The Government considers that the procedure must differ since in this by-election an electorate of only about 24,000 in number in the two constituencies, namely, Cairnhill and Tanjong Pagar, is concerned. The policy followed in the 1955 general election was that representatives of recognised Parties should be allowed to broadcast and the time was allotted to the different Parties in proportion to the number of candidates contesting. Only candidates were allowed to give those Party broadcasts and they spoke not as individual candidates to their own constituencies, but on behalf of their Parties, for all the candidates of their own Party, throughout Singapore. Their speeches were therefore of direct interest to all electors throughout the Island. Independent candidates were not allowed to broadcast in the 1955 general election because they would have been speaking only to their own constituencies and thus have had an unfair advantage over Party candidates, and because they were so numerous that it was impracticable to find time for all of them. Sir, the forum-type broadcast was also limited to Party representatives for the same reasons. In the present by-elections, Sir, only the voters in two constituencies are concerned and on general grounds there is no justification to allow candidates to broadcast to the whole of Singapore. If only Party candidates are allowed to broadcast they will be given much advantage over Independents, who will have good reason to protest at this unfair discrimination against them: but if Independents are allowed to broadcast in this by-election, it would be a departure from the Government's policy and might create a precedent leading to a fantastic state of affairs, especially at the next general elections when hundreds of candidates, including Independents, might be contesting in the 51 constituencies. Consideration, Sir, was also given to the question of whether a forum, in which all candidates contesting the by-elections could be invited to take part, could be allowed. This, Sir, is in fact no different to giving such candidates time for broadcasting by himself and is again a departure from the principles, mentioned earlier. Sir, requests were made by the Labour Front and the People's Action Party for broadcasting facilities for their candidates contesting these two divisions. As far as I am aware, Sir, the other candidates have not made similar requests for broadcasting facilities. The Government is convinced that to agree to any suggestion that candidates in by-elections should be given broadcasting facilities would conflict with the policy concerning election broadcasts which is based on the principle that government is by the Party and not by the individual. Furthermore, Sir, Radio Malaya provides a pan-Malayan service common to Singapore and the Federation of Malaya. We have consulted the Federation Government, which is strongly against allowing broadcasts for by-elections. This confirms the view that it is not desirable to provide broadcasting facilities to any candidate for the coming by-elections. Sir, the hon. Member for Sembawang referred to democracy in these broadcast facilities. I do think, Sir, that it is not a question of democracy at all, nor has this anything to do with the democratic rights of candidates. To my view, it is more a question of the proper use of radio to a justifiable degree. 11.31 a.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I should be most happy if Radio Malaya would give time for broadcasts by political Parties for by-elections if only the political Parties concerned will, as a quid pro quo, give up their loudspeaker vans from which every night there comes an appalling cacophony. If they give up these vans as a quid pro quo, I shall be very happy to support this idea.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Assembly do now adjourn. Adjourned accordingly at Thirty-two minutes past Eleven o'clock a.m. to 17th July, 1957.

Wednesday, 19th June, 1957

asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he will appoint a Committee to examine the hawker problems and make recommendations thereon.

Government has decided that it would be desirable in principle to set up a Hawkers' Advisory Committee consisting of the following members : -

asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry to state-

So far as is known, there are about 21 business organisations which claim to offer to the general public thrift, medical service and benevolent benefits. There are also many insurance companies which offer to policy-holders, some of the same types of benefit but I am not certain whether this type of business activity is referred to in this question. I have assumed in my answer that it is not intended to include the insurance business within the scope of this question. (b) The 21 or so organisations to which I have referred offer to their clients or subscribers a variety of benefits, including medical attention from, doctors appointed by the organisation. They offer also confinement and death benefits and in some cases a form of legal aid. A few organisations offer unemployed clients assistance in finding employment. (c) There have been about 71 complaints received since the end of 1956 against 7 organisations. (d) Following the investigation of these complaints, criminal proceedings are pending in one case. Of the remainder, no final decision has been taken on 12 complaints and in 58 complaints no offence has been disclosed. To the extent that criminal proceedings are pending and the matter is accordingly sub judice, it would be improper for me to go into any further detail. In so far as the activities of these organisations are within the existing law, it is Government's intention to take such action as may be necessary to regulate their activities with a view to safeguarding the interests of members of the public who participate in their schemes. With this in view, an inter-departmental committee has already been constituted to consider the question.