Hansard, 1965-12-21

asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps for the removal of litter in Kampong Amber.

I have been asked by the Minister to reply. Kampong Amber in Mountbatten Constituency has been serviced by the Kampong Sanitation Service (as distinct from the Public Cleansing Service for built-up areas) which consists of house-to-house refuse collection done daily by labourers from the Public Health Division. Also, the existing earth drains are being maintained by workers of the Anti-Mosquito Department, and weekly oiling of drains and pools in the Kampong are being carried out to keep public health nuisances to a minimum. The removal of litter around houses is a personal responsibility of individual householders who are expected to co-operate by maintaining their compounds and surroundings in a tidy state.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development if steps will be taken to improve the drainage in Kampong Amber.

The area around Kampong Amber is low-lying and some parts are approximately two feet below high tide level. The whole area is privately-owned and the Government cannot undertake the cost of raising it above the tide level.

A Business Motion standing in the name of the Minister for Finance.

2.33 p.m. Resolved, "That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965 and the First Supplementary Development Estimates for 1965 be taken today." [Mr Lim Kim San].

Mr Speaker, Sir, subject to the general assent of the Assembly, I beg to move, That, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of Standing Order 66 and the Order of the Assembly on 17th December, 1965, that the Regulation of Employment Bill be read a Second time on the first available sitting day after 28th December, 1965, the Second Reading of the following Bills be taken on Wednesday, 22nd December, 1965:-

Does the Minister have the general assent of the House to move the motion? Hon. Members indicated assent.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of Standing Order 66 and the Order of the Assembly on 17th December, 1965, that the Regulation of Employment Bill be read a Second time on the first available sitting day after 28th December, 1965, the Second Reading of the following Bills be taken on Wednesday, 22nd December, 1965:-

2.35 p.m. Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [1st Allotted Day].

First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965 in Paper Cmd. 23 of 1965. The summary is at page 4. I shall deal first with the heads of expenditure in respect of which amendments stand on the Order Paper Supplement. Head 0305 -

Mr Speaker, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0305 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, Sir, no one in Singapore will hazard the proposition that we ought to open the door wider to immigration. Anyone who suggests so ought to have his head examined. We have a population of two million, quite vigorously reproductive, and to suggest a liberal attitude to immigration would be to court suicide for our growing economy and our ability to provide employment for our fellow citizens. But there is an aspect of immigration which is humanitarian and which should be considered in its proper perspective. It is not uncommon for a number of our citizens to go to India. They used to go to China too, before it became Communist, to visit their parents. I have had it put to me, why should our citizens who desire to bring their aged parents to this island be prevented from doing so? It would be a humanitarian act to allow them to do so. Besides, it would not put them in the possibly invidious position of appearing to have double loyalty. Sir, there need be no apprehensions about immigration on this score. The parents who come in will not be economically active, nor would they be a liability to the State. They would only come here to live out the rest of their days with their sons or daughters who can support them. To enable them to do so would be a humanitarian act which we can afford. Nobody's job will be endangered, and all that we would be doing is to have the parents living with their children. Besides, this will strengthen the roots of our citizens of immigrant stock in this country. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Immigration Department has been singularly unsympathetic to appeals from our citizens to let their aged parents come in. That they are such good gate-keepers is worthy of commendation. They do a good job for us. But in respect of the aged parents of citizens of this country, the Department should relent a little because it is humanitarian. And what is far more important in Singapore, where we have taken a very grim and realistic attitude to life, is this, that their presence here would not constitute a threat to the opportunities in the economic field to the citizens of this country, nor would they be claimants of social welfare benefits. Besides, in many cases, money is sent by our citizens here to their parents in their homeland regularly. This practice would cease, of course, should their parents be permitted to migrate here. Consequently, the question of allowing the parents of our citizens to enter this country becomes attractive in this light. If it were a harmful immigration - harmful in the sense that the economic opportunities of our people would be threatened - then we would be the first to raise a hue and cry against the idea. But we have given it sufficient thought and have come to the conclusion that it would be a harmless immigration; in fact, there would be certain beneficial effects. These beneficial effects could be that firmer roots would be driven into this soil of our citizens who at present out of love and affection for their parents, return home periodically. And they would not need to do so once their parents were here. And what is more, there would be a decrease in remittances abroad. Sir, it has not taken us much imagination to see that we could be kinder to our citizens in this regard without losing anything at all in the process. The gains have been mentioned. This much we could do for our citizens in this country. Our history is not made yet; it is still in the process of being made - the change from a colony to an independent State. The immigration laws devised to protect the economic welfare of the people in Singapore have caused some amputations in the lives of our people which could be amended with a little humanity. And this is significant because it will not cost anything at all. So I hope a little rethinking will be done about this matter and the barriers lifted in these special cases. The immigration suggested will not amount to a large influx, and I think in the last analysis we can afford a little humanity. Sir, I beg to move.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I fully sympathise with what has been said by the Member for Bras Basah concerning the admission of aged parents of Singapore citizens. We have laid down certain rules on which the Controller of Immigration would be able to arrive at a decision as to whether applications will be permitted or not. I agree with him that persons of. 60 years of age and over will not in any way compete with Singapore citizens for jobs or other forms of employment. But, at the same time, it must also he remembered that it has been our experience that persons who have sought the admission of their aged parents, either from India or China, have eventually found themselves unable to support their growing families. The Ministry of Social Affairs thus finds its list of supplicants for public assistance has been growing longer and longer. 2.45 p.m. I believe - I am quite sure that all Members subscribe to this belief - that the concept of filial piety is very strong among us, particularly among the Chinese. Therefore, cases have always been dealt with sympathetically whenever we receive applications for the admission of aged parents. In fact, I would inform the House that the number of applications for aged parents to be permitted to enter Singapore was most during the years 1958, 1959 and 1960. But since then there has been a gradual decline. In a way, this reflects the greater stability of the population of Singapore, that fewer people now look towards the origins of their birth-place, and many more have more or less regarded Singapore as their homeland and their loyalties are to this country. Hence an inward-looking attitude has developed. In 1958, there were about 800 odd applications. In 1959, there were slightly over 950 applications for admission of aged parents. I must say that these applications will, of course, be considered only if they come from Singapore citizens. Non-citizens do not have the right either under our citizenship laws or under immigration laws to sponsor the admission of their parents. In recent years, the number of admissions has considerably reduced. In 1960 it was just slightly over 400. In 1961, it was down to 260. In 1964, when immigration was not under my control but had moved over to the Central Government of Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, it was just about 100 odd. All this goes to prove that all those citizens who would have their aged parents come into Singapore had already taken the opportunity in 1958 and 1959, and that many more Singaporeans today are born in Singapore. There was a time when a substantial number of our citizens were born overseas. Their parents were overseas. Consequently, they had their ties overseas, but many of these ties have now been broken because, as time goes by, their parents pass away. Therefore, it is not quite true that we now have as large a stream of remittances sent abroad to sustain aged parents. But there is one other point which we have to make, and that is, Singapore citizens who wish to seek the admission of their parents must also satisfy the Controller that their parents depend upon them solely for support and sustenance. If they have other relatives, brothers, sisters or other members of the family overseas, who are also supporting their parents, then, of course, there is no logical reason at all why entry permits should be given to such people. Nevertheless, in spite of all these rules which we have drafted to guide the Controller of Immigration, I must say that we have always considered these applications from a sympathetic light, and while we admit that they will not be a competitive factor in our task to look for jobs for Singapore citizens, nevertheless there are also other problems, like housing, which have to be considered as well. Sir, I would like to assure the Member for Bras Basah that we have not been very strict or severe in the consideration of entry permits for aged parents, provided certain requirements can be met by the sponsors - that they are our citizens, that they are in a position to support their parents, and that the parents solely depend upon them for sustenance. Otherwise, there has been no real difficulty in considering this problem of admitting aged parents.

Mr Ho, do you wish to proceed with the motion or would you withdraw it?

I beg to withdraw it. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $611,800 for Head 0305 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965. Head 0309 -

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0309 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, Sir, as is generally known even by our neighbours, 50,000 flats or more have been built for the people by the Government of Singapore, and certain U.M.N.O. leaders have stated that these are only fit for pigeons. Unfortunately, buses to serve the people in housing estates, such as MacPherson Estate, have not been seen up to today. It is difficult to understand how the appropriate authorities carry out their duties. The MacPherson Estate has long been in existence. The residents there very much require a bus service, particularly for their school-going children. These children have to walk for half a mile or three-quarters of a mile to get to the main road in order to get to a bus stop. If the housing authorities can build these flats so easily, why is it that the Registry of Vehicles cannot attend to the provision of a bus service for these estates? We must not keep quiet about this matter and allow children in the MacPherson Estate to go on foot in order to get to a bus stop. I hope this matter will be given weighty consideration by the Registrar of Vehicles. The authorities should realise that the population is growing, although the number of taxis is still the same as before. The matter of taxi licence plates should also be considered so that it would not be monopolised by one or two individuals only. If possible, Mr Speaker, Sir, every person should be allowed a limited issue of one or two taxi licence plates, because the opportunity should be given to the people of the State to have taxi licence plates in order to earn their livelihood. There are many exploiters who wish to get as many taxi licence plates as possible. It is up to the Registrar to control the issue of taxi licence plates so that it would not be given to only a few persons. If a regulation is made whereby only one plate is issued to an applicant, then the opportunity for the exploiters to carry out their misdeeds may be limited. I can say that this is similar to the system of the Ali Baba type of business. The exploiter would get the licence plates under his own name, under his wife's name, and under his children's names. So I trust that the regulations will be put into force so as to regulate the issue of taxi licence plates. We should do away with the old colonial system and have a system that is suitable for the present population of the country. There are people who take the opportunity to exploit the new situation in order to exploit the people. I request the Registry of Vehicles to do something useful for the people of this State. 3.00 p.m.

Mr Speaker, I fully agree with the Member for Kampong Kapor that here we do not have bus owners and taxi owners registered in the name of Ali Baba. And there is more reason why the number of vehicle licences and bus licences should be increased. Another trade union colleague of mine, the Member for Telok Blangah, has asked a pointed question about the imbalance between available taxis and taxi drivers. The figures are fantastic - so many more drivers than available vehicles. Anyone can see that there is such a ripe field for exploitation, especially when it is known that the majority of taxi drivers are not owners of vehicles. What is the net result of such a grotesque disproportion between vehicles and drivers? It is that the owners of vehicles, knowing that there will be a competition from the thousands of taxi drivers for their vehicles, will push up their rentals for them and lay down all sorts of conditions. The taxi drivers will have no alternative hut to accept the conditions and the rentals laid down by the owners, rather than put up with the disgrace of unemployment. But what we would like to know is how things have been allowed to get out of hand in such a manner, and who is responsible for this mess? Or has somebody felt that by doing so we will be increasing employment opportunities? It is as plain as A, B, C that if you increase the number of taxi drivers, there must be a corresponding number of vehicles. Otherwise taxi owners are the only ones who are going to profit, after squeezing the taxi drivers by high demands on them, because of the paucity of vehicles. Sir, I wonder if these questions did engage those responsible for this situation. I suppose there is no need for me to wonder whether they did, because the sorry situation tells an eloquent story of neglect. Now the cure at the moment is increasing the number of vehicle licences and a temporary halt to the issuance of licences to taxi drivers till the situation is reassessed. The long-term cure is the setting up of an organisation to enable taxi drivers to own their own vehicles. The time has come to think in such terms if taxi drivers are to earn a livelihood without exploitation.

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, regarding the question of bus services as raised by the Member for Kampong Kapor, I would like to state that this matter will be got over with in a short time. Buses are allowed to run only on public roads. There are many places where the roads are private roads. Even though there are flats built there, the roads are not yet made public roads, so that buses cannot run through these estates. Therefore, the matter pertaining to the particular estate will be considered. Regarding the matter raised by the Member for Bras Basah, it is true that there is an increase in the number of taxi drivers. That happened when the Registry of Vehicles was still under the Central Government. Before the separation there were 9,800 taxi drivers. After that, it was 13,414. I have stated in this House that my Ministry will set up a Committee to review all the problems facing the Registry of Vehicles. When the Committee is set up, it will be possible for Members of this House to present their problems to this Committee. All I can say now is that a Committee will be formed to look into these matters.

Does the Member for Kampong Kapor wish to proceed with the motion, or, in view of the Minister of State's reply, withdraw?

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $594,300 for Head 0309 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965. Head 0401 -

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0401 be reduced by $10 in respect of sub-head 1141. Mr Speaker, Sir, I have come to understand something from the Straits Times of 18th March, 1965, and I believe the same item also appears in other papers, such as the Berita Harian, and also in the Chinese papers. I will quote in English: (In English) `Police are investigating the loss of about $100,000 from the Police Thrift and Loan Society.' (In Malay) In paragraph 2, 1 quote again: (In English) `Several police officers have already been questioned in connection with the investigation.'

Could the Member give the date of the Straits Times?

(In Malay): Thursday, 18th March, 1965. In the Straits Times dated 20th March, 1965, on Saturday, there was a news item, and I quote: (In English) `Police today stated that they were not investigating the loss of the sum of $lOO,000 from the Police Thrift and Loan Society here.' (In Malay) Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government has set aside a sum of money so that the Police Thrift and Loan Society can function well. I regret that the Registrar of Co-operative Societies could not investigate this matter so that it would not occur again in our State. This matter is known to all interested parties. It is known to the police as well as the public. It is known to the Registrar and also to the Accountant of the Co-operative Societies. Mr Speaker, I regret that the police and the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau have not carried out their duties in investigating the actions of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies and the Auditor of the Co-operative Societies who have adopted a tight-lip attitude as to the whereabouts of the sums of money that were missed, one amounting to $60,320, and another amounting to $14,270, making a total of $74,590. It is not known where that amount has gone to. The Registrar of Societies has acted in an irresponsible manner and has not carried out his duties in accordance with the law. He has merely condoned or indirectly acted in contravention of the rules in order to cover up the missing sums of money by, what I would call, getting false loans extracted from tens of members of the Police Thrift and Loan Society. I will try to explain this. For instance, a member of the police, Mr A, takes a loan and signs for a sum of $1,000, but the sum of $1,000 is not received by Mr A, because it is for the purpose of covering up the loss. So it goes on for other members of the police, Mr B, Mr C, etc. That is what I mean by "empty loans". 3.15 p.m. The higher officers had asked members of the police force to take up loans in order to cover up the loss. They said that the repayment would not be made from their pay. Mr Speaker, Sir, every member of the Police Thrift and Loan Society was coerced into taking out an "empty" loan from the Society, in some cases up to the maximum amount of $2,400 each. Two clerks attached to this Society have vanished. It is possible that they have received advice indirectly or even directly from the Registrar, acting in conjunction with senior police officers, to pave the way to terminate their services. At least two Assistant Superintendents of Police knew about the whole affair. The Commissioner of Police has been fully informed. He is fully aware of the position. He will request the Police Thrift and Loan Society's Committee members to make a decision on the matter. He has carried out his duty. What I wish to state here is about the duties of the Registrar. The money was deposited by the rank and file of the police force who, in the main, are drawing an income of less than $200 per month or a little more than that. Most of them saved up for the purpose of their old age. Is it not a pity that they are bitterly frustrated and that the thrift and loan society movement will surely fail? The administrators of the Police Thrift and Loan Society have acted in contravention of regulations. But even more deplorable is the failure of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies to carry out a proper supervision of the management of the Society, thereby jeopardising the smooth and efficient development of the co-operative movement in Singapore as a whole. Mr Speaker, Sir, I feel it is not right that some tens of members of the police force who had nothing to do with the loss are forced to take a blank loan in order to cover up the money which has gone astray. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I hope that the Minister concerned can find a way out, in the interest of the co-operative movement as a whole in the State and with the co-operation of the police, in respect of the question of re-payments of the loans which had been taken out under pressure by members of the Police Thrift and Loan Society in order to cover up the affair. The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Kampong Kapor has made somewhat serious allegations against the Registrar of Co-operative Societies. At one moment, he referred to the Registrar of Societies. I would like to make it clear, however, that the Registrar of Societies does not conic under my Ministry but, I believe, under the Ministry of Culture and Social Affairs. I am responsible for the Registry of Co-operative Societies. The Member quoted a newspaper report of early March stating that investigations were being made into these allegations, and then quoted another report of the 20th of March which denied that these investigations were in fact being made. What the truth of this matter is, I do not know, but if the learned Member is prepared to supply me with more particulars and information in respect of his allegations, I assure him that proper investigations will be made and appropriate action taken against anyone who has committed a breach of trust or run away with any part of the Society's funds. May I point out, Mr Speaker, Sir, that these co-operative societies must file audited accounts every year, and unless these accounts are correct, someone must explain.

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, with regard to what has been stated by the Minister for Law and National Development, I am prepared to give him further particulars regarding the matter.

In view of that, is the Member prepared to withdraw the amendment?

(In Malay): I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $174,400 for Head 0401 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965. Head 0701 -

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0701 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, Sir, with regard to the Registry of Births, we know that after a mother has given birth, she will be given a copy of the Registration of Birth which is printed in red. Within seven years of birth, a copy of the original extract has to be obtained from the Registry. The Registry of Births is situated in Empress Place. It is inconvenient for people living in the outlying areas, such as in the islands, Changi, Seletar Naval Base, to come to Empress Place to get an extract of the Registration of Birth. They have to miss a day's work and incur transport expenses. In addition, they have to pay $2 to the Registry of Births for an extract. If the Minister concerned would consider seriously this matter to have many branches of this Registry, then the work of the Registry could be decentralised in the outlying areas and it would be convenient for the people living in these areas to get their extracts of Registration of Birth. The second matter concerns the Registry of Persons. I believe it deals with matters connected with the issue of identity cards. Soon plastic identity cards will be issued. It is hoped that the errors which appear on our present identity cards will not recur. The names on the identity cards have often been misspelt. It is hoped that when the new plastic identity cards are issued, the names appearing therein will be the same as those on the extracts of the Registration of Birth. If this is not done, then the clerks will be writing down the names according to their own way of spelling. For instance, my name is Mahmud. The correct spelling is `M-a-h-m-u-d'. But the clerk who is English educated, on hearing my name, may spell it as `M-a-h-m-o-o-d'. So may be the case with names like Yaacob, Khamis, Mohamed Shah, and others. So also may be the case with Chinese names. Take, for instance, Chan Chee Seng. The way I would spell it is `C-h-a-n C-h-i S-i-n-g'. There are other ways of spelling it according to the way it is pronounced. I hope the Government will make it necessary for the Chinese characters to be written down too. 3.30 p.m. Why I bring this matter up, Mr Speaker, Sir, is this; when the time comes to make requests for withdrawal of provident fund or other such matters, the name on the identity card and the name on the extract of Registration of Birth are quite often different. For instance, the name Ahmad Taff. Sometimes the name Ahmad is spelt as A-h-m-a-d. There are others who spell it as A-h-m-a-t, which also is Ahmad. And Taff could be misspelt as T-o-u-g-h. Perhaps the correct spelling is Taff. Probably Taff is derived from the word "attap". So there is a wide difference. If the name is spelt in various ways, then that leads to difficulties.

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I merely wish to touch a little on the Registry of Persons. The Ministry of Labour will be issuing plastic identity cards, and I wish to draw the attention of the Minister concerned to this matter, so that when plastic identity cards are issued, people who have not changed their addresses will have the changes duly made. In my constituency, for instance, before the construction of Airport Road, Kampong Ann Teng was known as Lorong Tai Seng. But after the Airport Road was built, the eastern part of the road is called Jalan Ann Teng, and the rest is still called Lorong Tai Seng. So it is hoped that the Minister for Labour will bear this in mind so that when plastic identity cards are issued, this point will have been clarified and the changes in the addresses of the people made, because most of the people affected are farmers and vegetable growers, and they do not understand the matter well. I hope, therefore, that the Minister for Labour will give a full explanation to settlers in Jalan Ann Teng who number not less than 2,000, so that they can understand the position when the new identity cards are issued.

Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all, I would like to reply to the criticisms made by the Member for Kampong Kapor in respect of the Registry of Births and Deaths. He says that there is some inconvenience caused to people living in the outlying areas of the island and also to those staying in the Southern Islands who have to come to the Registry to change their temporary birth certificates into permanent ones. I agree with him that there are some difficulties caused to these people when they come from their homes to town to have their birth certificates changed. I think his suggestion that we should branch out into these areas to provide such services to these people is a very good one. I will look into this matter fully. But in any case there have been instances where in these outlying areas community centre leaders have collected these temporary birth certificates and have come to the Registry to apply on behalf of these parents. This is, I think, a very good service also and we will also encourage it in future. As to the criticisms of the Registry of Persons in regard to mistakes in the spelling of names on identity cards, I can assure the Member that in future, when re-registration is carried out, his name will he spelt to his full satisfaction on his plastic identity card. In any case, we are going to take great pains to make sure that all names, whether they are Chinese names or Malay names or Indian names, will he given proper study before they are written on the new identity cards. Even under the present system, if a man is not satisfied with the spelling of his name, he can always apply to have his alias written on his identity card. As to the remarks made by the Member for Kampong Kembangan, regarding wrong addresses in identity cards at present, I agree with him that in the past, when these identity cards were issued in a hurry to meet the emergency situation in 1948, there were not very strict conditions laid down about the filling up of these identity cards, especially the names and addresses of the holders. But in future, before our re-registration campaign is carried out, we will send teams to areas to inform the residents of the correct address, the name of the street where they live, so that when they come to the registration centre, they can give the registration officer the correct number and address of their house. In fact, in the National Registration Bill which is going to be read a Second time tomorrow, there is a clause to compel the report of a change of address within 14 days. So I think this will meet the request of the Member for Kampong Kembangan.

Does the Member for Kampong Kapor wish to proceed with his motion?

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to add a little bit more. Just now I heard what the Minister for Labour said, that applications could be made whereby the aliases could be written down. My name is not Mahmood - M-a-h-m-o-o-d. I do not like to consider my name as "Mahmud alias Mahmood". Actually my name is one "Mahmud". It is only the spelling that is wrong. It is spelt either Mahmud or Mahmood - the short "-m-u-d" or the long "-m-o-o-d". I had a nickname when I was small. It was Atan. That could be my alias.

Does the Member wish to proceed with a vote?

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $144,700 for Head 0701 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965. Head 0906 -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0906 be reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, Sir, some ugly incidents involving political detainees were recently reported in the Press. It appears that these detainees, divided into two camps on the basis of the schism in the Communist world, namely, the Russian pragmatic or revisionist communism versus Chinese pristine Marxism, had a free-for-all. Sir, we do not really mind their having a free-for-all amongst themselves because, if they had their heads hit in the right places, perhaps they would be rid of all the stuff and nonsense that they are trying to inflict on the people of Singapore and return as sane citizens. We in Singapore do not care for either brand of Communism. We are getting along fine without Communism of either kind tripping us up. So, if the free-for-all ended with those beneficial effects, we would perhaps welcome these free-for-alls and might have even considered suggesting that they be televised, so that people could get a good idea of the state of confusion these chaps are in themselves, before they set out in their dedicated business of confusing others. There would be both ideological entertainment and entertainment perhaps for boxing fans. I am sure all of us would get a belly-laugh from their slapstick comedy. It is rather surprising to note that the gravity of Communism can descend into such shambles as a free-for-all. It is like a fall from the sublime to the ridiculous. 3.45 p.m. I dare say all of the hon. Members here will agree with me, say, if their squabbles and fights were televised and the whole of Singapore would be suffocated with mirth. For instance, if the leader of one camp, the uncompromising camp, said, "Singapore's independence is phoney; we will have to establish the phoney character of Singapore's independence before anything else," And a chap from the other camp said, "There is nothing wrong with Singapore's independence. We start from that basis," and he received a bash on the head for that, it would clear up the minds of some of our people here who have not decided one way or the other. These people would then be able to say "A pox on these chaps." And the clowns would then be out of business. But I am afraid it will not be as innocent as all that, because political capital can be made out of the bashing they give each other. We will have the Barisan Sosialis shrieking that the bashing was done by the prison guards, acting on authority, and the Government would get a bad name. Therefore, to protect us from getting a bad name, we have got to protect these chaps from themselves. I would, therefore, like to know what special precautions have been taken by the prison authorities to prevent a recurrence of these political fisticuffs. Have extra guards been posted near them during their meet-together hours or has the position been reached where they are "raring to have a go at each other" and they have been separated from each other for their own good? Well, if the second thing has taken place, it is well and good for us, then no fights can take place, but these chaps, to save their face, may make up to preserve the outward form of unity, but this unity which they may pretend would be a sort of fragile unity, easily broken once they engage in controversy. And who is to say that another bashing will not arise? Sir, I beg to move.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the ugly incident as described by the Member for Bras Basah has given rise to considerable publicity in the local Press. I should like to take this opportunity to state that it was not due to any shortcomings or defects in the prison administration. In fact, the incident underlines the fact that quite contrary to the allegation of ill-treatment and torture made by the Barisan Sosialis, our political detainees are so well treated that they even have the time to engage in a little fracas now and then. Political detainees are housed in blocks segregated from the ordinary and other prisoners, and are permitted to live comfortably in dormitory accommodation as compared with the cells of convicted prisoners. Unlike ordinary prisoners, they are not required to do any work and, therefore, have a considerable amount of free time on their hands. Hence they have plenty of opportunity to quarrel and fight with one another if they are so disposed. They are allowed freedom of movement within the open grounds of the precincts of the place of detention, and normal locking-up time is 9 p.m. in the evening. In the matter of food they are given preferential treatment over ordinary prisoners. Their rations cost $1.30 cents per day as compared with 75 cents per day for ordinary prisoners. They are allowed to select the type of diet on which they wish to be placed, and most of them have taken the opportunity to be placed on European diet. So in view of the somewhat pampered life which they have been leading, I am, in fact, surprised that there have not been more fights and incidents among them.

Does the Member for Bras Basah wish to proceed with a vote?

I beg leave to withdraw the motion. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $3,020,600 for Head 0906 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965. Head 1202 -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1202 he reduced by $100. Mr Speaker, Sir, there was a time when the police in Singapore were feared. This was under colonial rule. Guilty and innocent feared them equally, for they were then a truculent lot and the common ordinary people in Singapore suffered terrible indignities at their hands. Under Malaysia, there was a relapse apparently, when a journalist in broad daylight performing his duty was man-handled in a very rough fashion. This incident, to our considerable regret, was whitewashed and it is now an ugly memory. That was under Malaysia and it was the only jolt in the process which we had started in 1959 of orientating the police to the fact that they were dealing with their own people and not serving colonial masters. Those who could not change their old attitudes, of course, had to go, and was good riddance. We had no place for such bullies in Singapore which is committed to making life pleasant and agreeable for its humblest Citizens. There was no place for police brutality and callousness. They were of the old order and were identified with the colonial government and were perhaps one of the very strong reasons for doing away with colonial rule. Sir, all this is supposed to have changed with self-government and independence. But I am afraid that some dark corners still exist. It has been represented to me that the traffic police are displaying a singular callousness to the problems of taxi-drivers. Taxi-plying is not a lucrative profession as it used to be in the colonial rule where it had been the policy of colonial government to limit the number of taxis, and the fortunate small number of taxi-drivers earned good money. But now it has become different with the accent we have given to creating employment opportunities. With the issuance of more taxi-driving licences, taxi-earnings are not what they used to be. On the average, they earn between $7 and $8 per day. In this connection, Sir, the fines imposed by the police take on an inhuman aspect for minor offences which are settled by compounding. As much as $20 is fined for a first offence and subsequent fines are higher. As President of the N.T.U.C., my ears are full with representations from taxi-drivers asking the police to reduce their fines to a rate consistent with their earning capacity. In other words, they are asking the police to have a heart, not to extract too heavily from their meagre earnings. The N.T.U.C. feels, therefore, that a system should be introduced whereby a warning is issued to a first offender, and small fines consistent with the nature of the offence and with the earning capacity ---

Order. I wonder whether the Member is in order in making representations on behalf of the N.T.U.C. to this House. He speaks as a Member of the House.

I am sorry, Sir, I withdraw from my capacity as President of the N.T.U.C. I will speak in my capacity as the Member for Bras Basah.

Yes, please proceed.

I have aired all these grievances before, but there has been no response from the authorities. We would like to know why, and we have the right to know why. The days have gone when the cries of oppressed sections of the people can be ignored with equanimity. If there are any inhumanities, then they must be removed and, in my opinion, the system of fines operated by the police bears too heavily on the poor taxi-drivers. I therefore think they must be modified. I am not for one moment suggesting that the fines must be removed, but they can be modified. Traffic offences are a part of the occupational risks of taxi-drivers, but it is too cruel a deterrent to apply high fines for minor offences as crossing over a red light or parking near a white line. I hope appropriate attention will be given by the authorities, because this is being said in Parliament. There appears to be another cruel activity of the police in that they are hounding taxi-drivers for an offence such as excessive smoking. Sir, I do not know whether such an offence of excessive smoking is under the charge of the Traffic Police or the R.O.V. Anyway, I hope the Ministers concerned will heed my warning about this and hope that they pay special attention, whoever they may be. In truth and in fairness, they should hound the owners of the taxis who are the real culprits and who never do anything about appropriate repairs, although they are told so by the drivers to whom they rent out their vehicles at exorbitant rates. 4.00 p.m. Between the owner and the police, the taxi-driver is between the devil and the deep sea. The cruelty reaches enormous proportions when the taxi-driver is made to shell out as much as $80 as a fine for the smoking offence. Meanwhile, the owner who extracts a high rental for the car sits smugly at home raking in his money from several cars, I suppose, while the poor wretch has to shell out the $80. What exacerbates the matter is that I am sure the police are conversant with this state of affairs, but they do precious little about booking the real culprits who perhaps would not feel the pinch even if they were fined several times more. I believe if the police want to do some milking, they should get the milch cows - the owners of the taxis - and not the threadbare taxi-drivers, who can hardly make a day's living. I hope these problems of taxi-drivers on which I have enlightened the House will receive the sympathetic attention of the police, that there will be an end to the inhuman persecution of the taxi-drivers, and that they will be allowed to earn a living in the same manner as the majority of workers in Singapore - unoppressed. Sir, to sum up, I hope I have painted a lurid picture of the exploitation of taxi-drivers and the harassment they suffer at the hands of the police, because it was my intention to do so. We hope the remedies will come because the situation is deteriorating and, furthermore, intolerable to a "movement" which prides itself on having solved the problems of workers to a very successful extent. I hope you, Mr Speaker, will not pull me out of order again when I mention the word "movement" because I have to make it clear that the Taxi-Drivers' Association is an affiliate of the N.T.U.C. The problems of taxi-drivers are not ones that defy solution. They can be solved, provided they are approached in the right spirit and a realistic attempt is made to solve them. We hope, therefore, when the next year we convene, much of the acid I have used here will not be necessary and things in general will have improved for the taxi-drivers to earn a living unmolested by the authorities and free from the grim exploitation they are subjected to. Sir, I beg to move.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to comment on the question of taxi-drivers made by the Member for Bras Basah. The fines on taxi-drivers are too heavy, but they are necessary. Just yesterday as I was driving very slowly out of this Parliament House the driver of a taxi, whose number I had taken down, could not contain his patience but kept on hooting his horn and he overtook from the left-hand side of my car. Mr Speaker, Sir, this is the sort of taxi-driver that should be punished. I am only stressing on such reckless drivers. But those who are constantly careful in their driving and earning their living properly should be given consideration, but not all taxi-drivers. At the same time, if taxi-drivers park their vehicles anywhere they like and go against traffic lights, and so on - I think the number of vehicles in Singapore is about 103,000, if I am correct - if this sort of uncontrolled traffic is allowed to go on in Singapore, I think the lives of you, Mr Speaker, and Members of Parliament will be in danger. Lay, and order must be preserved. I therefore urge that all taxi-drivers be a hit more careful in future. If the police are able to curb pirate taxis which are competing with taxis, then I am sure that this complex problem will be solved. Therefore, the fines on taxi-drivers should be imposed according to the nature of the offence.

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I join the Member for Bras Basah in raising this question of taxis. The Member for Changi has mentioned just now his personal experience. He feels that the taxi-driver who has committed an offence knew what he was doing. The taxi-driver knew that the Member for Changi is a P.A.P. Member, and I believe that the taxi-driver is a member of the Barisan Sosialis. Naturally, taxi-drivers who are Barisan Sosialis members and taxi-drivers who are P.A.P, members like to block one another or clash with one another when they meet. This problem could be left to the police to decide. The Member for Bras Basah has suggested that the fines should be in line with the nature of the offences committed by taxi-drivers. This is the example given by the Member for Bras Basah: for a car smoking offence, the fine will be $40 or $50. Naturally this is not commensurate with the offence. That is what is asked for by the Member for Bras Basah regarding fines and taxis.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I was a bit taken aback by the Member for Bras Basah when he said that the Police Force is harassing taxi-drivers and the public in general, and that we are exploiting the taxi-drivers' earnings in order to supplement our revenue. I am sure that is never the intention of the department, and this has never been the policy of the Minister for Finance of our Government. Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the crux of the matter is that it is up to the drivers themselves to observe traffic rules. From what the Member for Bras Basah has said, it appears that there is no dispute that they have committed a breach of the Traffic Ordinance. Therefore, there is no question that the police are harassing taxi-drivers. The fact is that taxi-drivers are committing traffic offences. It is the duty of the police to see that laws are being observed, particularly when children and workers are using the road. The police have to see that motorists who are using the road are not a menace to pedestrians or cyclists, or, for that matter, to the motorists themselves. In the circumstances, the police will have to see that the rules are observed by everyone. With regard to the question of fines being imposed by the police, I understand the Traffic Police Department has been very considerate towards taxi-drivers. Those who have committed a first minor offence are usually given a letter of warning. But for those who repeatedly commit offences under the Traffic Ordinance, in the interest of the public and the safety of the road-users, a deterrent penalty will have to be imposed. So I would say that if taxi-drivers do not like the fines being imposed on them by the Traffic Police, it is up to them, especially the Taxi Drivers' Association, to promote a campaign of good driving. I think this is the basic solution to their complaint. Probably the N.T.U.C. can organise the campaign, and I am sure the Traffic Police will be prepared to co-operate with them to launch it. The emitting of excessive smoke is an offence under the Ordinance administered by the Registrar of Vehicles. I am not in a position to clarify this matter. On the suggestion that the owners of taxis should be made to take the responsibility rather than the drivers, I am told that this point has been taken note of by the department concerned, and it may well be that amendments will be made to the present Ordinance.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to make my point clear to the Member for Changi as well as the Minister of State of Defence. I am not at the moment suggesting that the police should overlook the offences of taxi-drivers. My point is that for first minor offences, like going against the red-light signal or parking too far out from the side of the road, consideration should be given to them that they should not be fined as high as $20. 4.15 p.m. My information from the Taxi Drivers' Association is that not only a fine of $20 is imposed, but sometimes in one day a taxi-driver receives three or four summonses of this nature. So I wonder whether the Minister concerned will take the trouble to check with the Traffic Police to see if my information is correct or not.

Sir, if a taxi driver is driving so badly that he receives three summonses in a day, he should try to seek a more suitable occupation than driving taxis.

Does the Member wish to proceed with a vote?

I wish to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $15,916,530 for Head 1202 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965.

The remaining Heads of Expenditure in respect of which no amendments stand on the Order Paper are Heads 0105, 0106, 0304, 0306, 0307, 0308, 0405, 0406, 0502, 0605, 0607, 0610, 0905, 1001, 1102, 1103, 1104, 1105, 1201, 1301. I hope I have got the votes correct, Mr Minister? Mr Lim Kim San indicated assent.

Question, "That the sums stated for the Heads stated in the last column of the Summary on page 4 of Paper Cmd. 23 of 1965 stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965", put, and agreed to. Question, "That the sum of $46,008,310 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965 contained in Paper Cmd. 23 of 1965", put, and agreed to. Resolution to be reported. 4.18 pm.

First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for 1965 as contained in Paper Cmd. 24 of 1965. The summary is on page 3 of the Paper. I shall first deal with the heads of expenditure in respect of which amendments stand on the Order Paper Supplement. Head D.05 - Ministry of Health. Mr Ho See Beng, Amendment No. (l) *. *The amendments reads as follows:- That the sum to be allocated for Head D 05 be reduced by $10 in respect of new subhead 028.

Sir, I am not moving.

Amendment No. (2) - Mr Ng Yeow Chong.

Mr Speaker. Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head D 05 be reduced by $10 in respect of new subhead 029. Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand this is an outstanding sum yet to be reimbursed by the Ministry of Health to cover the costs of building 515 covered pitches by the Housing and Development Board for hawkers at Tanjong Rhu Estate, Kallang Airport Estate. Alexandra Hill Estate, and Bukit Ho Swee Estate. The sum that is required for this vote as reimbursement for the Housing Board amounts to $122,526. Mr Speaker, Sir,I further understand that the construction of these covered pitches was approved by the former Minister for Health in 1963 for the purpose of re-siting unauthorised roadside stalls built by hawkers which caused obstruction to traffic and impediment to health and cleansing work in the various housing estates. The Government must he praised for having provided these roadside hawkers with all the facilities of proper hawking pitches. However, I wish to draw the attention of the Minister for Health to this - that the control and supervision of these covered pitches by the Markets and Hawkers Department of the Public Health Division is far from satisfactory. Very often, pitches are left vacant for months and are never allocated when they are applied for by unlicensed hawkers. In Tanjong Rhu Estate, which is in my constituency, the covered pitches, as I have observed from time to time, are not fully utilised and many of them are more often than not left unoccupied. Some of them, I am informed, Mr Speaker, Sir, have actually been allocated but have never been physically occupied by licensees who regularly pay up their licence fees. So far no action has ever been taken by the Markets and Hawkers Department to rectify this irregularity. Mr Speaker, Sir, this state of affairs is indeed very undesirable as there are some bona tide hawkers who wish to be allotted pitches to make a decent living. When they apply to the Markets and Hawkers Department, they are often told that there are no vacancies. Mr Speaker, Sir,I should he grateful, therefore, if the Minister for Health would kindly enlighten me and this House whether he would take appropriate steps to implement effective control and supervision of hawker pitches not only in the various housing estates in my constituency but also in other housing estates in other constituencies. Sir, I beg to move.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I admit with regret that most of the criticisms levelled by the hon. Member for Mountbatten against the present Hawkers Department of the Public Health Division of my Ministry of ineffective control and supervision of hawkers are unfortunately true. That is why it was necessary for me to appoint an officer from another Ministry, i.e. the Director of Central Complaints Bureau of the Ministry of Social Affairs, to he the officer-in-charge of re-organisation of the Hawkers Department as from November last year, a year ago. A general survey was made in May this year of markets and pitches which revealed that out of 8,269 stalls in 42 Government markets, only 6,493 stalls or 80 per cent were taken up, leaving 1,776 stalls or nearly 20 per cent not taken up at all. This is only the overall picture. In certain markets, they are half-empty, like the Maxwell Road market which is supposed to house 233 stalls, but only 125 stalls were taken up. And then we have another outstanding example of a market at the junction of Clementi Road and Pasir Panjang Road built for 49 stalls which have been empty for years. Sir, with many markets having empty stalls, thus causing loss of revenue to the State, yet almost all approaches to markets, whether Government or private, are crowded with hawkers mainly unlicensed. These at the same time block up the roads which are meant for traffic, thus causing serious congestion all round for pedestrians as well as for motor traffic, whether carrying passengers or goods. On the other hand, Sir, the question of hawkers is inter-related with the problem of public cleansing. Hawker congregations and those in markets are responsible for considerable amounts of perishable refuse. Most hawker congregations are also made up of unauthorised structures which, in turn, prevent our cleansing workers from doing their jobs properly, thus adding up the piles of refuse. These in turn increase public health hazards, for they bring in more flies and mosquitoes, because drains are blocked with refuse which cannot he cleared and flushed. I would like to assure the Member for Mountbatten that initial steps of re-organisation, not only of the Hawkers Department but also of the Public Cleansing Department, have been taken, and that stronger remedial measures will be taken early next year, i.e. after the forthcoming festive seasons are over. I would like to refer the hon. Member to a part of His Excellency's Address which was delivered on the 8th December, particularly col. 25 [Hansard], the last but one paragraph, which reads as follows:- `The re-organisation and expansion of the Environmental Health Services, Public Cleansing, Anti-Mosquito Services and Hawkers Department are being taken in hand and initial measures for improvement of transport, equipment, enforcement of discipline and training of supervisors have commenced.' 4.30 p.m. I should now like to indicate briefly what has been done and will be done soon. Firstly, a new Hawkers' Code has been drawn up with the assistance of the Public Health Advisory Board which was appointed by me in June 1964. I propose, Sir, to announce officially the details of this new Hawkers' Code in mid-February next year, that is about one and a half months from now, after the festive seasons are over. Secondly, for the five months July to November this year, about 1,000 hawkers in 17 congregations throughout the island have been successfully resited in accordance with the main principles outlined under the new Hawkers' Code. And thirdly, the first step to be taken for proper and effective control and supervision of hawkers is the licensing of all hawkers. At present, unfortunately, only 10,000 hawkers are licensed out of an estimated total of anything from 40,000 to 50,000 hawkers. This is, therefore, an impossible situation which has gone on for far too long and should be stopped accordingly. So after the announcement of the new Hawkers' Code around mid-February 1966, it is proposed that the Hawkers Department will begin to license all hawkers as from the 1st of March, 1966. And it is expected that it may take a few months to cope with the work. Hawkers' licences will, of course, be limited for issuance to Singapore citizens. And after licensing all the hawkers, it will then become an offence for anyone to hawk without a licence. Thereafter, the other provisions of the new Hawkers' Code will be implemented step by step. Finally, I would like to mention the fact that when I used the term "hawkers", it should, of course, include the term "market stall-holders", because I group them all under one terminology - hawkers. In fact, the department previously known as the Markets and Hawkers Department, a term which was used by my hon, friend, should really read as the Hawkers and Markets Department, which name I changed at least one year ago.

Mr Speaker, Sir, as I can see here, $122,526 was spent in building hawkers' pitches in the following area: Tanjong Rhu Estate, Alexandra Hill Estate, Kallang Airport Estate, Bukit Ho Swee Estate. According to the hon. Member for Mountbatten, some of the hawkers' pitches have not been used. If there is any plan in the Hawkers Department to provide pitches in the rural area so as to counter the unauthorised stalls which have been erected all over the rural area, I would suggest, if possible, that these pitches be erected in a quite compact area so as to assist the hawkers in the rural area too. I shall be obliged if the Minister will enlighten me on this point.

I hope my friend the hon. Member for Changi could be patient enough to wait for the official announcement regarding the new Hawkers' Code, rather than for me to say something now and then come out later in drips and drops. I hope he could just hold his horses for one and a half months. In fact, he is already in the know, because I have circularised the draft Hawkers' Code for comments from Government Assemblymen and it is only after I have received all the comments and criticisms - I have also asked for the views of the Public Health Advisory Board - that I can launch out on this project. It is really the concentrated experience not only of our own Assemblymen but also of officials in various Ministries covering Health, the Public Works Department, Roads, and Housing and Development Board and so on. Because the hawker problem is not a problem by itself. It is a social problem.. It covers various aspects of life. So we try to get as many heads together as possible on this problem. At last we have formulated a code, not of too many rules and regulations, but a few general principles, such as we accept that hawking is a way of life in Singapore, but that in their attempt to find a simple way of earning a living, because of the very serious unemployment situation in Singapore, the hawkers should not, on the other hand, ignore their social responsibilities as to become a danger both in respect of public health and also of traffic. They have got to play according to a few rules, and they would then be assured of security in the choice of their livelihood.

Mr Ng, do you wish to proceed with a vote?

Now that I have obtained a satisfactory answer from the Minister of Health, I beg to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $422,526 for Head D 05 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditures for 1965. Head D 11 -

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head D 11 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 001. Mr Speaker, Sir, regarding the police barracks at Kampong Arang, the Government bought a block of Housing Board flats there to accommodate members of the police force. Not long afterwards, the five-foot way and the concrete slabs of the drain were found to be defective. Mr Speaker, Sir, whether the Ministry of National Development deliberately sold sub-standard flats to the police or whatever it is, accommodation for members of the Column : 416 police force should be of good standard. Secondly, relating to old police quarters. The police quarters at Woodlands can be seen by our neighbours from across the Causeway. We have been boasting about our achievements such as multi-storeyed flats at Toa Payoh, satellite towns, and so on. But I fear that U.M.N.O. members, both in our country and in our neighbouring country, can see these old buildings at Woodlands, made of timber and occupied by members of the Police Force, are in a dilapidated condition. We must give serious consideration to that. Also, the police quarters at Geylang which are in the city area and those at Keppel Harbour. On the left-hand side of the police quarters at Keppel Harbour, there are existing police quarters built by the Port of Singapore Authority. This is a big multi- storeyed building in contrast to the old existing police quarters made of timber at Keppel Harbour. Mr Speaker, Sir, these old dilapidated police quarters have only one hall and there is not much room, with the result that the members of the police force with large families find it difficult to accomodate themselves. Thirdly, regarding the quarters at Onraet Road. These quarters at Onraet Road are for members of the rank and file of the Police Force. When they are promoted to the rank of Inspector, they still continue to occupy these quarters. I feel that those who have been promoted should vacate them, thereby giving an opportunity for the other members of the rank and file to occupy them instead. And for those officers who have been promoted, there should be built special quarters for them commensurate with their ranks.

Mr Speaker, Sir, with regard to the police quarters at Kampong Arang, these are, in fact, not police quarters. It is a block of flats leased by the police department as a block and given out to the police for occupation. So if the occupants of these flats have any complaints of defects or damages, they should refer or report it to their officers, or they can even write Column : 417 direct to the Housing and Development Board, because the Board is responsible for the maintenance of these flats. With regard to the old barracks in Woodlands, Geylang, Keppel Harbour and other places, they have been built since prewar and no improvements can be made to them because the structure is such that it would cost too much to carry out the improvements. But on this matter, probably when new police stations are constructed with quarters attached to the police stations. I think these quarters will be better than the ones I have mentioned here. I believe that the Department is aware of the fact that Inspectors who have risen from the rank and file are still occupying these quarters and, of course, appropriate remedial measures will be taken. 4.45 p.m.

Does the member for Kampong Kapor wish to proceed with a vote?

(In Malay): In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $2,023,200 for Head D 11 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for 1965. Head D 13 -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head D 13 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 002. Mr Speaker, all I wish is to obtain information from the Minister as to where these four post offices are to be sited.

Mr Speaker, three new post offices will be built at Siglap, still Road and Owen Road. In the Estimates, there is a provision for four new post offices. But actually only three will be built in the course of the year. This programme was submitted to the Permanent Secretary, Economic Development Board, on 30th Column : 418 August, 1965. A decision was taken that only three new post offices will be built. The provision of "New Post Offices, four" should now read "New Post Offices, three".

We will take note that it should read "three" instead of "four" and it will also appear in Hansard.

In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $201,320 for Head D 13 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for 1965.

The remaining Heads of Expenditure in respect of which no amendments stands on the Order Paper are Heads D 08, D 12, D 14 and D 15. Question, "That the sums stated for the Heads stated in the Summary contained in Paper Cmd.24 of 1965 stand part of the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for 1965", put and agreed to. Question, "That the sum of $6,402,073 shall be supplied to the Government under the Heads of Expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for 1965 contained in Paper Cmd. 24 of 1965", put and agreed to. Resolution to be reported. Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House. 4.52 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to certain resolutions. Resolutions reported - "That the sum of $46,008,310 shall be supplied to the Government under the Heads of Expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965 contained in Paper Cmd. 23 of 1965." "That the sum of $6,402,073 shall be supplied to the Government under the Heads of Expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for 1965 contained in Paper Cmd. 24 of 1965."

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the house doth agree with the Committee of Supply on the said resolutions.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolutions accordingly agreed to.

Resolved, "That this house do now adjourn." - [Mr Lim Kim San]. Adjourned accordingly at Seven minutes to Five o'clock p.m.