Hansard, 1962-03-15

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ATOMIC WAR-HEADS AND ROCKET SITES IN SINGAPORE asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will ascertain from the United Kingdom Government if any atomic war-heads are stored in Singapore and whether there are any atomic rocket sites in Singapore, and the extent of the potential danger to the people through accident.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ATOMIC WAR-HEADS AND ROCKET SITES IN SINGAPORE Sir, I have sought the information asked for by the Member for Anson from the U.K. Commissioner. He has written to say that this question relates to matters of defence which under the Constitution is the responsibility of the British Government, and that it is not the practice in the United Kingdom, in answer to such questions to confirm or deny the presence of nuclear weapons at particular places. A point worth noting is that under the Communist proposals for full internal self-government with the Internal Security Council abolished, defence and foreign affairs will continue to be in the hands of the British. However, after independence through merger, defence will be in the hands of an elected government of the new and larger Federation, and members of the Central Parliament will be able to ask questions on matters of defence with more authority.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ATOMIC WAR-HEADS AND ROCKET SITES IN SINGAPORE Does the Prime Minister recognise that it is not a question of locality, but a question of our entire State? The issue whether these atomic war-heads are in this State affects the safety and the survival of our people. Surely, from that point of view, we are entitled to have some information in order to make some preparation for possible accidents.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ATOMIC WAR-HEADS AND ROCKET SITES IN SINGAPORE Order. The Member for Anson is now embarking on a debate. The Prime Minister has indicated his responsibilities, and I do not know whether he wishes to add to that.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ATOMIC WAR-HEADS AND ROCKET SITES IN SINGAPORE Mr Speaker, Sir, I can only say that there are illustrious examples in the United Kingdom in the Committee of One Hundred. If the Member for Anson feels sufficiently strong about this matter of war heads being stored, as he suspects, either in the Naval Base or Changi, or wherever else the launching pads may be, he is not without precedent in this matter. The Government has always been more than ready and willing to allow all methods of peaceful persuasion and demonstration.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ATOMIC WAR-HEADS AND ROCKET SITES IN SINGAPORE Mr Speaker, Sir, I seem to have been misunderstood. I am inquiring from the Prime Minister whether he has considered the aspects of possible accidents which will affect the safety and the survival of the people and, from that point of view, seek information of a general character indicated.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ATOMIC WAR-HEADS AND ROCKET SITES IN SINGAPORE In my somewhat rudimentary knowledge of the law of nuclear physics, I am convinced that accidents arise not in the bomb accidentally being exploded in the storehouse, but more, I believe, in a war being launched accidentally through misjudgment of each other's determination to resist. In that eventuality, Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Anson's safety and mine are similarly imperilled and I can only say that if we do not sleep well o'nights, then we shall all be very sick men indeed. It is a very sick world, Mr Speaker, Sir, and I do not wish to inflict upon the people of Singapore the deep horrors of gradual extinction in a nuclear fallout or of total annihilation in a nuclear holocaust -

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ATOMIC WAR-HEADS AND ROCKET SITES IN SINGAPORE What are you doing?

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - ATOMIC WAR-HEADS AND ROCKET SITES IN SINGAPORE Mr Speaker, Sir, I have suggested to the Member for Anson the illustrious examples of great philosophers like Bertrand Russell and other equally eminent and philosophic gentlemen. All that is required is sufficient verve, vitality and persistence through methods of democratic persuasion to bring home the misfortunes of having to be involved with deterrent weapons of destruction.

CIVIL DEFENCE PROVISIONS - IN TIME OF WAR asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will consider the feasibility of Civil Defence provisions for the people in time of war.

CIVIL DEFENCE PROVISIONS - IN TIME OF WAR Sir, token provision exists in the current Estimates to resuscitate the Civil Defence Corps should the necessity ever arise. Civil Defence provisions however, are only envisaged for the conventional type of warfare in what is now popularly called localised wars. I am informed that the dropping of a nuclear bomb in the megaton range on any city would wipe out the whole population and devastate the whole area. Against such a catastrophe, civil defence measures, as is understood, would be quite unrealistic. However, it is reported that some enterprising contractors in California, U.S.A., have made good sales of "fall-out" shelters. The Government understands, however, that these contractors are not sponsored by the U.S. Government.

CIVIL DEFENCE PROVISIONS - IN TIME OF WAR In the light of the knowledge the Prime Minister has of the potential calamity for this area, would he indicate whether Government would give its support for an anti-nuclear movement here?

CIVIL DEFENCE PROVISIONS - IN TIME OF WAR Sir, I have always been a great supporter of all movements to ensure the preservation of mankind. But I would like to draw the attention of the Member for Anson to the fact that the danger is not particularly concentrated in any particular spot in the world. I see no particular incidence of annihilation being increased as a result of our being in a somewhat obsolete military base meant for localised wars in this area of the world. I am told that from time to time the Russians send off notes to not so friendly nations of their retaliatory and complete annihilative powers, and several governments have been in receipt of them, governments such as Pakistan and Turkey, who allow American bases and launching pads to be installed in their territories. However, I note that in none of the Russian notes to the United Kingdom Government has the Russian leader, Mr Khrushchev, singled out Singapore for special attention. However, that is not to say that I am not aware of the real danger of either slow death through a nuclear fallout or complete destruction of the world in a blazing holocaust if somebody accidentally misjudges the other side's temper and presses the button at the wrong time.

CIVIL DEFENCE PROVISIONS - IN TIME OF WAR Mr Speaker, could we have a reply to my question? Recognising the potential calamity for this area, would the Prime Minister indicate whether the Government would give its support for an anti-nuclear movement in this State? It is a simple question.

CIVIL DEFENCE PROVISIONS - IN TIME OF WAR The first question was whether I, as Prime Minister, would support and I have indicated that I give support for all movements for the preservation and upliftment of mankind. Now, the question is whether the Government would give its support. Without having consulted my colleagues, Sir, I give the Member for Anson the full assurance that, as we are all human beings on this side of the House who would like to see the survival of the human race, including human beings on the opposite side of this House, we will support all movements which seek to preserve the human race, defective though it may be, from total annihilation. If the Member for Anson could only indicate the time and place at which his equivalent to the Committee of One Hundred would take action, we would ensure that adequate publicity is given to him through television, radio and other means.

COMMISSION ON PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION Question No. 3 has been withdrawn. It has been answered. Question No. 4. [The following is Question No. 3:

COMMISSION ON PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION to ask the Prime Minister when the Government anticipates appointing a Commission on the People's Association.]

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME asked the Minister for Labour (a) whether the joint discussions between the Government, the Unions and the employers, with the view to agreement on unemployment insurance as the first step to a more comprehensive social security scheme, have taken place, and what is the outcome thereof; and (b) whether he will make a further statement of Government's intentions with regard to the introduction of social security measures during this session.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by my colleague, the Minister for Labour, to reply to this question. The reason is that the Government held a series of meetings in December 1960 and January 1961 with certain Trade Union leaders to discuss, among other things, the introduction of an unemployment insurance scheme in Singapore and I represented the Government on that occasion. In all, five meetings were held and an agreed report prepared for submission to the Cabinet. The Trade Union leaders concerned in this series of meetings were Messrs. Lim Ching Siong, S. Woodhull, D. Puthucheary and S. T. Bani. This report has not been released earlier for publication at the request of the Trade Union leaders. I intend, however, to quote the section of the report dealing with unemployment insurance, as this would give a clear indication of the Government's attitude towards the subject of unemployment insurance. That section of the report reads as follows: `Unemployment insurance The Government side pressed the case for unemployment insurance on the basis of a 1½ per cent contribution by employer and employee. With an unemployment rate of 8 per cent, this would ensure unemployment benefits of about 40 per cent of wages earned during work. If the rate of unemployment is less, the rate of benefits could be increased. The Government proposed that the unemployment scheme be introduced and be restricted, in the first instance, to those industries demarcated for stability. A tripartite committee consisting of representatives of the Government, the T.U.C. and Employers should manage the Unemployment Insurance Fund and have powers to vary the rates of benefits in accordance with the financial state of the Fund. The Government's contribution would be to pay for all benefits during the first sear of the Fund's operation to allow the Fund to accumulate sufficient money from which it could earn interest to pay for administrative expenses. A detailed administrative scheme had been prepared by the Central Provident Fund and there are no administrative policy or other barriers to the immediate implementation of the Unemployment Insurance Scheme. The T.U.C. members supported the unemployment insurance in principle, hut requested that the matter be further considered by the T.U.C. In the course of discussion, the Government side stressed that redundancy schemes, severance pay and even unemployment insurance are no more than palliatives to a disease. These measures are intended to reduce the sharp edge of suffering caused by unemployment of workers. Further, where the worker finds it difficult to get another job, retrenchment often sparks off determined opposition from the workers, leading to strikes. The proposals considered and recommended would reduce the distress caused by unemployment. But it is not the basic solution: in fact, in themselves, they will do nothing to reduce unemployment. The only solution lies in creating conditions whereby the economy could expand at a sufficiently fast rate so that there will be more jobs than men available. When this position is reached, retrenchment and redundancy do not present any problem to the worker. Further, under such conditions, the way would he open for the worker to obtain regular increases of pay through the collective bargaining power of the unions. It was recognised that the maintenance of stability in the industrial sector would he one of the factors conducive to industrial growth and economic expansion, and for this reason, both the Government and the T.U.C, representatives in the Sub-Committee are agreed that everything that could contribute to stability should be pursued, and that any measures that are inimical to it should be refrained from.' That is part of the report. Now, Sir, although these trade unionists stated that they supported the unemployment insurance scheme in principle, they had taken no step whatsoever to obtain support from the workers for the principle of a contributory unemployment insurance scheme. In fact, in the course of discussions on the subject, they made it quite clear that they did not want such a scheme to be introduced. Hon. Members will note that these leaders had given an undertaking that they would refrain from any action which is inimical to stability and do everything to promote stability which is necessary in industrial expansion. Another section of the report puts the matter even more clearly when it says: 'It will be the responsibility of the T.U.C, to ensure that industrial peace is maintained for the period of the agreement.' It is now evident to everyone that these trade union leaders had not the slightest intention of honouring their pledge to the Government. Far from ensuring industrial peace, recent events -

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME On a point of order. The questions are simple and they are not being answered. Instead we are having polemics in respect of political opponents. Could the Minister be requested to confine himself to the question?

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME The rule governing all questions is that an answer must be within the scope of the question asked. If it goes beyond the scope of the question asked, then, of course, the Minister is always entitled to make a ministerial statement. Whether he makes it now, or after questions is a matter of convenience, I leave it entirely to him. Strictly, he should make the statement after questions so that, if he then thinks fit and the statement is controversial, he can always move the adjournment to have the statement debated.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME On another point of order. May I ask whether it is permissible for a ministerial statement to include subjects which may rightly be considered to be anticipating a debate on a subject that is on the Order Paper - that is, my motion on industrial unrest?

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME I do not think what the Minister has said has any strict relation to the motion, mentioned, which is: `That this House views with grave concern the mounting of industrial unrest and calls on the Government to take all reasonable steps to ensure industrial peace...'. I think the Minister is recounting what happened at a meeting of trade unionists and indicating how they had - as alleged by him - not kept their undertaking given to Government. But as the feeling of the Assembly is such, I think I ought to apply the Standing Orders very strictly and ask the Minister either to keep strictly to an answer to the question, or bide his time and wait until after questions to continue his statement.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME Mr Speaker, Sir, I am keeping strictly to the question. Questions of this kind have been coming in regularly from the Member for Anson and I wish to dispose of this issue once and for all. What I am saying will lead to the conclusion explaining just why and how negotiations with the trade union leaders for the implementation of social insurance came to nothing. Sir,I have to go into this matter in some detail to justify the conclusion that the Government has been completely reasonable all the time, but meeting with bad faith from the other side. This is strictly relevant to the question. Now, Sir, if I may be permitted to continue. The trade union leaders say they support unemployment insurance in principle but in practice they oppose it. Exactly in the same way, they say they support merger in principle but in practice oppose it. Similarly, they support Malaysia in principle but oppose it in practice. Hon. Members are only too familiar with this kind of double-talk on the part of the Communists and their stooges in the Barisan Sosialis.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME P.A.P. side.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME Order. I must now rule the Minister completely out of order because answers to questions must be strictly statements which do not invite debate, and the Minister is obviously making a statement which does invite debate. So if he proceeds in that strain, I must stop him if he considers that that is the answer to the question. I have indicated that if he wishes to pursue that line of statement, then he must wait and make a ministerial statement at the end.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME Mr Speaker, if you had only borne with me for just two more seconds, you would have seen the relevance. As I was saying, in these circumstances, it is quite futile to have further discussions with those union leaders for the implementation of unemployment insurance, let alone a more expensive social security scheme. I may mention that I have had informal discussions with representatives of the employers' association in Singapore and they have agreed to support the contributory unemployment insurance scheme should the Government introduce such a measure. It is only certain trade union leaders who oppose this scheme. Why do they oppose it? The reason to me is quite simple. They do not want stability and progress in Singapore. They oppose unemployment insurance because this will reduce tension on the industrial front, and with a reduction of tension and discontent it will be difficult for them to foment trouble. If further evidence of their evil intentions is needed, my colleague, Mr Devan Nair, will only be too pleased to provide them. He told me of the advice which Mr Lim Ching Siong had given -

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME Order. I must now stop the Minister. I must rule all this out of order and if he proceeds on that line, he must stop giving his answer. I suggest that he wait till after Question Time.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME If it please you, Mr Speaker, on a supplementary question. Is the Minister not aware -

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME Order. I understand the Minister will be making a ministerial statement. The supplementary question can come after the ministerial statement.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME The whole debate can come.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME And the whole debate, if necessary.

OVERSEA-CHINESE BANK - (Terms of settlement of strike) asked the Minister for Labour whether he will indicate the broad terms of settlement of the strike of the employees of the Oversea-Chinese Bank in January this year.

OVERSEA-CHINESE BANK - (Terms of settlement of strike) Mr Speaker, Sir, the strike arose as a result of an allegation by the Singapore Bank Employees that the management had admitted to subverting its members by offering and making payments to some clerical employees of the Bank in accordance with the Bank's own interpretation of the recent award of the Industrial Arbitration Court, although the Bank knew that the Union had challenged the correctness of the Bank's interpretation and had declined to accept such payments pending a conclusive interpretation of the award by the Industrial Arbitration Court. Negotiations for the settlement of the strike did not take place in the Ministry of Labour or in the presence of Ministry officials. A Press report indicated that there had been an expression of regret by the management of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation for the payments made to some union members against the Union's stand. My Ministry also understand that the Union successfully contended that, as the strike was a justified one, the management of the Bank should compensate the members for their loss of pay during the strike and that the Managing Director of the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, Mr Tan Chin Tuan, make a confidential payment of, a sizable sum of money to the Union for distribution to its employees in settlement of the Union's claim.

AVERAGE HOURLY EARNING FOR WORKMEN IN 1961 asked the Minister for Labour what is the average hourly earning for all workmen in 1961.

AVERAGE HOURLY EARNING FOR WORKMEN IN 1961 Mr Speaker, Sir, the average hourly earning in 1961 for all workmen was 80 cents in accordance with a sample survey of the average earning, average hours of work and the conditions of workmen in Singapore conducted in the last week of July 1961.

AVERAGE HOURLY EARNING FOR WORKMEN IN 1961 Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that that means that there has been a decrease in the wages of our wage-earners?

AVERAGE HOURLY EARNING FOR WORKMEN IN 1961 The question being?

AVERAGE HOURLY EARNING FOR WORKMEN IN 1961 That is, is he aware?

AVERAGE HOURLY EARNING FOR WORKMEN IN 1961 The question must not give information only. The information must lead to a question. That is giving information.

AVERAGE HOURLY EARNING FOR WORKMEN IN 1961 Perhaps, Sir, I can ask this. Could the Parliamentary Secretary explain why there has been a drop in the earnings of our wage-earners?

AVERAGE HOURLY EARNING FOR WORKMEN IN 1961 Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know on what basis the Member for Anson alleged that there was a drop in the earnings of wage-earners. From the statistics, it would appear that for the year 1960, the average hourly earning was 81 cents. So the difference of one cent does not matter very much.

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) asked the, Minister for Labour what was the total number of (i) workmen, (ii) shop assistants and (iii) clerks who were in employment in March and September 1961, respectively.

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) Mr Speaker, Sir, in accordance with the returns submitted by employers under the Labour Ordinance, the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance and the Clerks Employment Ordinance for the year 1961, the total number of workmen, shop assistants and clerks who were in employment on 30th March, 1961, and 30th September, 1961, were as follows: Shop Workmen Assistants Clerks March 1961 106,000 21,959 21,974 September 1961 111,450 22,798 23,325

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) If it please you. Mr Speaker, Sir, could I put a supplementary question?

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) Yes, certainly.

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he can give any explanation why there has been a steady drop in employment of manual, workers since March 1961, which seems to have been the peak.

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) Mr Speaker, Sir, from the statistics, it is to the contrary.

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) 106,000.

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) Order.

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) You are referring to 1961 and 1960?

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) I am not interested at all. Perhaps the Member for Anson would like to elaborate on his supplementary question?

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) Yes, Sir, only to draw attention and to ask this question. Can he explain why in March 1956 it was 124,600, and it went down in 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1961 progressively to 123,000, 118,000, 114,000, 107,000, and now 106,000. 18,600 less manual workers employed in these seven years?

WORKMEN, SHOP ASSISTANTS AND CLERKS - (Number in employment in March and September 1961) Mr Speaker, Sir, I require further notice of that question as I do not have all the details with me now.

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Total number published, cost of publication, and sale) asked the Minister for Culture to state the total number of Battle for Merger pamphlets published, the cost thereof, and the amount recouped by way of sales.

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Total number published, cost of publication, and sale) Mr Speaker, Sir, two editions of the book were published - the hard cover edition selling for a dollar and containing appendices not included in the soft cover edition which is distributed free. The hard cover edition was initially printed in English, and the first impression of 5,000 copies were sold. The second reprint of another 5,000 copies were issued early this month. The cost of production of the 10,000 copies is $6,623. Some 7,500 copies have been sold as from 23rd February, and the amount recovered after commission to book-sellers is $6,062. 7,500 copies of the hard cover edition in Chinese were released for sale on 6th March. The cost of this edition is $5,125. We have no returns as to the number of copies sold since they were only put on sale less than a fortnight ago. There is also a print order of 2,000 copies in Malay, costing $1,615, which will be on sale shortly. As regards the soft cover edition, there was a first print of 100,000 copies in all the four languages at a cost of $29,159. All these have now been distributed in Singapore. However, in view of the demand for this edition not only in Singapore but also from the Federation and Borneo territories, a second reprint is now under production.

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Total number published, cost of publication, and sale) Would the Minister indicate the expenditure of $30,000 in respect of 100,000 soft cover copies, as he calls it, and a further 100,000 copies, no doubt costing another $30,000 - are they coming out of the vote of the Ministry or are they specifically authorised?

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Total number published, cost of publication, and sale) They are coming out of the vote of the Ministry. They have a special vote for printing, and they are coming out of the Publicity vote.

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Purpose of photographs) asked the Minister for Culture what was the purpose of incorporating in the Battle Jo, Merger pamphlet photographs of (i) the P.A.P. inaugural meeting in 1954; (ii) the persons addressing that meeting; (iii) the release of detainees on 4th June, 1959; (iv) Mr Lee Kuan Yew with Mr James Puthucheary in Changi Prison Camp grounds; (v) the P.A.P. rally at the Esplanade on their victory in the general election; (vi) Mr Lee Kuan Yew addressing an election rally at Clifford Pier; (vii) P.A.P. detainees at the St. John's Island detention camp; (viii) the Prime Minister addressing the 1961 May Day Rally at the Jalan Besar Stadium; and (ix) Mr Lee Kuan Yew and some union officials in Taiping Botanic Gardens.

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Purpose of photographs) The photographs listed by the Member for Anson have been incorporated in the book for the same reasons as the other photographs in the book which the Member has not listed in his enquiries. The photographs either illustrate or amplify the text of the book. For example, on page 10 there is a photograph of the Member for Anson at the Baling Talks. He has quite rightly not questioned the propriety of its inclusion. Like the other photographs, it helps to illustrate or augment the main theme of the book, that is, the struggle between the non-Communist socialists on the one hand and the Communists and pro-Communists on the other to win the. hearts and minds of the people in Malaya. The Member for Anson will agree that all the photographs have been aptly chosen, including the one of himself.

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Purpose of photographs) The Minister for Culture is less than frank. That photograph of myself at Baling is not of my-self but Tunku Abdul Rahman and the others. Though that might be appropriate in a book about Communists, how is it appropriate to have photographs of the P.A.P. inaugural meeting, the Prime Minister having a talk with his private clients? Would the Minister please indicate?

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Purpose of photographs) Sir, as regards the photograph of the P.A.P. after winning the elections, in fact, I happened to look at the Annual Report which came after the Member for Anson had become the Chief Minister, and there is one there showing him having an informal luncheon in one of the big hotels here, which I think is appropriate since he was then the Chief Minister and his Party had come to power, and it is part of the history of the Island. So for the same `reason, the fact that these pictures relating to elections and so on are included in the book is that they form part of the history which led to the events and conflicts described in the book. As regards "clients", Sir, I am not quite sure to whom the Member for Anson is referring.

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Purpose of photographs) If it please you, Mr Speaker, Sir, at page 83: `Mr Lee had gone up to Perak to defend...'.

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Purpose of photographs) Order. The Member for Anson must wait until he is called, to give the Chair a chance to consider the answer. Now, Mr Marshall.

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Purpose of photographs) If it please you, Mr Speaker, Sir, I refer to the photograph opposite page 83 where the Prime Minister is alleged to have gone to Perak to defend members of a union at a trial in Bagan Serai which arose from a transport strike. Is this part of the history of Singapore? Are we going to have memorabilia of Mr Lee Kuan Yew?

BATTLE FOR MERGER - (Purpose of photographs) I have a feeling that the Member for Anson has only been looking at the pictures without reading the text of the book. If he had read through the text, he would have found that the gentleman referred to is mentioned in the text of the broadcast. And, therefore, it is necessary in a book of this kind not only to tell about the persons but readers would also like to know what they look like. That is the reason why that photograph is published.

POLITICAL MACHINATIONS IN SCHOOLS - (Commission of Inquiry) Question No. 10 has been withdrawn as it has already been answered. [The following is Question No. 10:

POLITICAL MACHINATIONS IN SCHOOLS - (Commission of Inquiry) To ask the Minister for Education when the Government anticipates appointing a Commission of Inquiry on political machinations in schools.]

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME - (Statement by the Minister for Finance) 3.08 p.m.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME - (Statement by the Minister for Finance) Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to the questions asked by the Member for Anson, I spent some time in explaining the background of our relations with the pro-Communist trade union leaders. Although we had discussions with them - we spent a lot of time working out the details of this unemployment insurance scheme - I harboured the doubt at that time, a doubt which subsequently turned out to be completely justified, that these persons were not honest nor sincere in their dealings with us. I went on to say that the main consideration of Communist leaders in a trade union movement is to maintain a hold on the union leadership. From this point of view, they will stop at nothing to achieve their objective. They have tried to hot up the situation, create an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty, because it is under such conditions approaching a revolutionary situation that a combat Marxist-Leninist Party can deploy its cadres to the most effective purpose. Therefore, in their policy towards unions, the benefits that the workers would obtain are, of course, important. These are important matters because, without getting benefits, the workers will soon drift away from them. But they will never try to seek a permanent settlement with the employers on the best terms possible for the workers, because, by so doing, they will reduce discontent among workers, cause them to be satisfied, and in this manner become complacent and apathetic towards union matters. Now, Mr Devan Nair told me of the advice which Mr Lim Ching Siong had given him when they were colleagues in the T.U.C. - that Mr Lim Ching Siong advised Mr Devan Nair against fighting for salary scales. He said that with salary scales, workers would be satisfied with the conditions, lose their revolutionary fervour and thereby weaken the hold of the union upon members. Because once you have a salary scale, everyone would know that an increase in wages comes automatically year by year, and therefore there would be less and less occasion for the union to rally round its members to fight for improved conditions. Mr Lim recommended that it was better to fight for periodic salary increases and prevent the members from being fully satisfied at any time. Sir, with such a background of the policy and tactics of the trade union leaders, it would be clearly foolish to introduce a contributory unemployment insurance in the teeth of opposition by a substantial number of trade unionists. What we must do now is to tell the workers how they are being used by their leaders as so many pawns in the major political game for the benefit of the Malayan Communist Party. When workers cease to be manipulated by the pro-Communist groups as they realise the truth, then and only then can we proceed to introduce progressive social security measures for their benefit. It is a sorry state of affairs in Singapore when so-called champions of workers resist the introduction of a progressive measure such as a contributory unemployment insurance scheme.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE SCHEME - (Statement by the Minister for Finance) Mr Speaker, I have a supplementary question. I do not know if it is now open to debate, Sir.