Hansard, 1967-09-07

Under the provisions of clause 2 (d) of Article 30 of the Constitution of Singapore, I have granted permission to the following Members to be or to remain absent from sittings of Parliament (or any committee of Parliament to which they have been appointed) for the period stated:- Mr S. Rajaratnam (Kampong Glam), Minister for Foreign Affairs -

I have been informed by the President that, on the days stated, he assented to the following Bills:- 30th June, 1967 (i) Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill; and (ii) Criminal Justice (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill. 3rd July, 1967 (i) National Theatre Trust (Amendment) Bill; (ii) Science Council of Singapore Bill; (iii) Judicial Committee (Amendment) Bill; and (iv) Official Secrets (Amendment) Bill. 4th July, 1967 Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill. 5th July, 1967 Trustees Bill. (P. COOMARASWAMY) Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

Mr Speaker, Sir, I seek your consent and the general assent of Members to move a motion to suspend Standing Orders to enable Questions for Oral Answer to be taken beyond 3.30 p.m. until 4.30 p.m. today, in view of the large number of questions standing on the Order Paper.

Mr Rodrigues, in view of an indication given to me, may I suggest that your motion be one that will enable Questions for Oral Answer to be taken beyond 3.30 p.m, until all Questions on the Order Paper for today are disposed of?

I accept the suggestion.

I give my consent. May I have the general assent of Members for the motion to be moved as proposed? Hon. Members indicated assent. Resolved, "That notwithstanding the Standing Orders of this day, the Questions for Oral Answer set down on the Order Paper be continued beyond 3.30 p.m. until all Questions on the Order Paper be answered." - [Mr Rodrigues].

asked the Deputy Prime Minister if he is aware that the efforts of the Public Utilities Board to provide domestic electricity supply to kampong dwellers at their request are being hampered by a landowner who has refused his consent to the erection on his property of wooden poles to carry overhead cables, and what action he proposes to take in the matter.

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by the Deputy Prime Minister to reply. When the major part of the work connected with the provision of electricity supply to the kampong dwellers in the Siak Kuan Road area in Changi was completed on 15th October, 1965, the owner of the land of a certain portion of the kampong objected to the poles which had been erected on his land. The matter was subsequently resolved through the good offices of the District Officer in Katong and electricity supply has been made available to all the kampong dwellers since 18th April, 1967.

asked the Deputy Prime Minister when electricity will be supplied to the residents of the Boh Sua Tian Road.

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by the Deputy Prime Minister to reply. Electricity supplies have been made available to 141 houses in Boh Sua Tian Road since May 1964. There is a scheme to extend the supplies to another 153 houses in that area and work on the scheme has started.

asked the Deputy Prime Minister whether he is aware of any measures being taken by the Public Utilities Board to prevent water pollution now that a bridge and a band-stand have been built over the water in MacRitchie Reservoir and whether he will inform the House of such measures.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the question is a very timely one and I am quite sure there are many people who share the anxiety expressed by the Member for Choa Chu Kang on the necessity to keep the waters in MacRitchie Reservoir and elsewhere clean and unpolluted. I would like to say that members of the public who visit the reservoir should be fully conscious of the dangers of polluting the water in the reservoir and urge them to cooperate to prevent such contamination from occurring. I would like to point out to Members of the House that there have been many cases in recent history when there were outbreaks of infectious hepatitis, a disease which affects the liver, in several countries - Hongkong, Germany, Sweden, India - and on investigation it has been found that the source of this epidemic has been traced to water being contaminated by sewage either at the point of intake of the water from the reservoir or river or in the distribution system. The worst outbreak of this disease, hepatitis, was in New Delhi in 1955/56 when there were 30,000 to 50,000 cases. The virus causing hepatitis is resistant to standard methods of purification used by municipalities. Treatment with large doses of chlorine is necessary to destroy the virus but this raises enormously the cost of purified water. The possibility of contaminating the reservoirs in Singapore comes from picnickers who wash or swim in the reservoirs. As it is not possible to make a complete patrol of the reservoirs, we can only appeal to the civic consciousness of the picnickers and hikers in the reservoirs not to bathe in the reservoirs or to allow dogs to enter the water. As a note of warning to all adventurous people, I would like to add that the reservoir is very deep and in many parts the bed is muddy. Bathing and swimming in the reservoir can, there fore, be very dangerous to the swimmer who may get stuck in the mud and drown. The Public Utilities Board is in the process of drawing up regulations to prevent water pollution in the MacRitchie Reservoir and misuse of the MacRitchie Reservoir Park. These regulations will, among other things, prohibit fishing and bathing in the reservoir or streams, spitting in the park, eating or smoking on the bridge in MacRitchie Reservoir Park, and litter, rubbish or other refuse must be thrown into receptacles which are specially provided for them. The Board has formed a MacRitchie Reservoir Park Committee to look after the maintenance of the park and to ensure that visitors comply with the regulations. A number of patrolmen have been employed to patrol the whole area of the park grounds and more will be recruited to ensure that the regulations, when promulgated, are not violated by visitors. It is not the intention of the Public Utilities Board unnecessarily to impose rules and regulations on all those who visit MacRitchie Reservoir Park, but I think all of us will agree that the park will look more attractive not only to our citizens but also to all tourists and visitors if we ourselves, the public, make a particular effort to keep the place clean.

asked the Deputy Prime Minister if lie will consider an amendment to rules under the Road Traffic Ordinance to extend the prohibition on the sounding of horns by drivers of private motor vehicles, taxis and buses throughout the City limits except for the purpose of preventing an accident.

(In Malay): Mr Speaker. Sir, at present, the sounding of horns on any motor vehicles (other than an ambulance or fire brigade or police vehicle) is prohibited during the day or night in the area specified in the Schedule to Rule 6 of the Motor Vehicles (Sounding of Horns) Rules, 1950, except for the express purpose of preventing an accident. This area is bounded by Jalan Sultan in the north, Clemenceau Avenue and River Valley Road in the west, and South Bridge Road and McCallum Street in the south. In view of the increased urbanisation and growth in vehicular traffic, consideration is being given to revising and enlarging this area as far as practicable.

2.40 p.m.

asked the Minister for Finance whether there has been a flow of foreign investments into Singapore recently, especially from Hongkong, and if he can give details of such investments.

Sir, it is not possible to give a straightforward answer to the hon. Member's question. Whenever disturbances occur anywhere, some flight of capital usually takes place. Refugee capital coming into any country does so by means which avoid official records. The number of approaches made by Hongkong industrialists to the Economic Development Board has considerably increased since these disturbances began. More than 300 Hongkong industrialists have discussed investments proposals with the Singapore Economic Development Board, and I believe that a substantial number of these proposals will materialise into factories on the ground. This, of course, will take time.

The following Question stood in the name of Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi - 6. To ask the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that the cost of living in the Republic has gone up rapidly and if he is taking any steps in the matter.

Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi.

(In Malay): Question No. 6.

Sir, for some months there has been public concern over increases in the prices of certain commodities, especially foodstuffs and household articles. The reasons for these price increases are often confused in the public mind. As a result, there have been adverse comments on Government's industrialisation pro gramme which has been blamed for the increase in the cost of living. I wish to go into these matters in some detail as it is important that the blame should be attributed to the right quarters. The real reason for the widespread concern over the increase in the cost of living, especially among the poorer people, lies in the substantial increase in the cost of rice. Over the last 18 months the price of rice has gone up by 14 cents a katty. To people with large incomes this increase in price will cause no hardship. But if we consider the effect on a typical working family of, say, a man with a wife and three children, we can see that it bears very harshly on them. A family of five may consume about 100 katties of rice a month, and the price increase means that a wage-earner has to bear the additional expenditure of $14 a month. To a family earning $200 a month - this is a typical working class family income - this represents a very substantial increase. It is nearly equivalent to a pay cut of $14 a month, and the extensive grumbling that goes on now is the consequence of this. What can Government do about the price of rice? First, we must find out why the price has gone up. Is it due to profiteering by our rice merchants, or is it because the world price of rice has increased? If price increases are the result of profiteering, then Government action to lower prices can be taken by taking measures against profiteering. But there is rio evidence that our rice merchants are profiteering. The real reason is that there has been an increase in the world price of rice because of the general shortage of supply. Rice exports from Burma have gone down in recent years. Thailand is suffering from a drought. The war in Vietnam has not helped to increase rice production in that country. And indonesia continues to be a large buyer in the world market. So the increase in the cost of living due to the increase in the price of rice is due to external factors beyond our control and has nothing to do with the Government's industrialisaton programme.

2.46 p.m. So long as people want to eat rice, they must pay for the extra cost. But they can economise by eating less rice and more wheat products, such as bread and noodles, as our Deputy Prime Minister has been advocating. Wheat flour, of course, is half the price of rice. There has also been a substantial increase in the price of canned meat imported from China. Chinese exporters have increased their prices, and there is statistical evidence that this has happened. Here again the reasons lie outside our country and beyond our control. As regards day-to-day food supplies, certain items have gone up in price, such as cabbages and potatoes, while others have gone down in price, such as red chillies, onions, spinach, chai sim and 1ong beans. These are normal fluctuations in the market and are not of great significance. Some months ago there was an attempt made to speculate in matches and sugar. When these commodities were produced in Singapore, import duties were imposed on foreign products so that the local manufacturer could capture the domestic market. Some people, thinking that they could make money, tried to raise the prices of sugar and matches. But it was soon found that local suppliers were adequate to meet the market demand and prices reverted to normal. So while imported matches are more expensive, the price of the local product remains the same. If people want to buy imported matches at twice the price of the local product, there is nothing one can do about it. This brings me to the subject of Government's policy on industrialisation and its effect on the prices of goods. We must assure the local manufacturer a substantial portion of the domestic market for the products he is manufacturing. To do this, import duties are imposed on foreign products. Naturally thit means that the prices of imported articles go up. The Trade Division of the Ministry of Finance keeps a continuing survey on prices of locally-manufactured goods. When local manufacturers commence production, they are directed not to increase their prices unless there is good reason to do so, as, for example, an increase in the price of raw materials. In nearly all cases, the local manufacturers have accepted their obligation in good faith and have maintained good quality and reasonable prices. Here again some local consumers are attached to the brands of goods which they are used to buying, and these imported goods definitely cost more than the local products. If you want to pay more for imported condensed milk, mosquito coils, chocolates, toilet soap, singlets and matches, you cannot complain about the increase in the cost of living, because you can buy local products at the same price as before and of comparable quality. For instance, Cadbury chocolates used to cost 35 cents a bar. As a result of import duties, they now cost 50 cents a bar. Van Houten chocolates, which are produced in Singapore, continue to be priced at 35 cents a bar. If you are very fond of Cadbury chocolates, you may continue to buy them. You will then be contributing to the revenue of the Customs Department. If you buy the local product, you do not make this contribution but you will be contributing to the income and employment of your fellow citizens. You can take your choice in this matter. In two or three instances there are grounds for suspecting local manufacturers of either having inefficient high cost management or making excessive profits. The cure here, in the first instance, is to improve management efficiency. In the second case, it is to ask the manufacturer to reduce his prices. The sanction that can be applied in both instances is the reduction or abolition of import duties on these commodities. I will not hesitate to apply this sanction should the circumstances of the situation justify such action.

As the Hon. Minister for Finance has accepted the fact that people earning below $200 will incur an additional expenditure of $14, will the Minister consider increasing the salaries of people drawing low pay?

The answer is "No".

(In Mandarin): Will the Minister consider requesting all shops selling foodstuffs to exhibit price tags on their goods (especially rice) for public information?

Mr Teong, the subject matter of your supplementary is actually a substantive question. It is down today for written answer. So your supplementary, in fact, anticipates a matter that is before the House.

(In Mandarin): I would like to ask the Minister whether he would consider instructing all rice sellers to exhibit price tags to help the buyers. Some of the shops have already done so.

I do not believe that exhibiting price tags could reduce the price of rice. But if the hon. Member believes that it will, and has confidence in its efficacy, then we can give it a try.

(In Mandarin): Sir, what I mean is that if there are price tags, the purchasers will know the actual condition of the market, because now and then, whenever there is any incident, the seller -

Mr Teong, supplementaries are not explanations.

Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Minister for Finance consider setting up a committee whose sanction is necessary if any local manufacturer wishes to increase the price of his products?

There are committees in existence to consider applications from manufacturers who wish to increase the prices of their goods.

Does it mean that the present position is that no local manufacturers can increase the prices of their products unless the increase is sanctioned by the committee that is in existence?

They are under no legal compulsion to keep their prices at any given level. But there is a gentleman's agreement between the Ministry and the manufacturers that price increases should be discussed with and agreed to between themselves. For this purpose, the reasons for any price changes are put forward to an interdepartmental committee of officials who will make recommendations to the Minister.

What sanction would there be then should a local manufacturer breach this gentleman's agreement?

The sanction I have mentioned, Mr Speaker, Sir, is the abolition of tariff protection.

asked the Minister for Finance whether the Government will consider joint ventures with Australian industrialists to establish factories in Singapore to manufacture goods with raw materials imported from Australia on the terms that 50 per cent of the finished products be allowed by the Australian Government to be imported into Australia free of tariff, the remaining 50 per cent being for the local and other overseas markets.

The Singapore Government has been considering joint ventures with Australian industrialists along the lines indicated by the Member. It is our view that the establishment of joint ventures whereby raw materials and semi- finished products imported from Australia will be processed and finished in Singapore, partly for export to Australia with tariff concessions, and partly for sale in Singapore and export to other countries, will be of substantial benefit to both parties. However, nothing has materialised from discussions held at official and technical levels on this subject.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing legislation to provide that all departmental stores and retail shops display Singapore-made goods.

The spirit in which the hon. Member has asked the question is good. However, I do not think this is a very good idea. First, there are countless shops and departmental stores in Singapore. Implementation of this proposal would, therefore, cost a lot of money. The large variety of locally-manufactured goods, together with the large numbers and sizes of shops selling them, would make it almost impossible to have orderly legislation and effective implementation. We cannot, for instance, legislate that all shops display all types of locally-made goods. The variety is too large. There may be inadequate space in some shops. On the other hand, if it is provided that not all the locally-made goods need be displayed, a shop could display only one product and claim to have complied with the law. This would defeat the purpose of such legislation. To specify a minimum variety would also be difficult, as shops vary so much in size. What is adequate for one shop is probably not adequate for another. These are only a few of the problems that we will encounter. The second point is that compulsory display of locally-made goods will not necessarily increase sales. The Singapore consumer is a discriminating buyer and purchases on the basis of price and quality. As competition is extremely keen, departmental stores and retail shops cannot afford to be without lines which sell. In other words, the availability of consumer goods is not a pro blem. The manufacturer will have to compete on the basis of price and quality rather than depend on compulsory display to push sales. I have no doubt that this is what they are doing. The Singapore Manufacturers' Association has now taken over from the Economic Development Board the Products and Design Centre at Raffles Place. I understand that they intend to make the Centre even bigger and better. Finally, let us not forget that freedom of choice is important in our free society. Freedom in merchandising is not only a good thing but serves as a practical stimulant to competition. So while I think the hon. Member has got the right sentiments in putting forward this question, I suggest that there are other ways of achieving the objective he has in mind.

asked the Minister for Finance the number of licensed importers of fresh fruits in Singapore as at 1st August, 1967.

With effect from 2nd August, 1966, specific licensing was imposed on the importation of apples, pears, grapes, mandarin oranges, peaches and plums. For some time, the importation of some of these fresh fruits from certain countries came under the control of importers' committees. These committees or panels of importers restricted imports to keep prices at a high level. Previous importers and wholesalers were not only excluded from importing direct by the committees, but even their members' proportionate share of imports and their sales to wholesalers were frozen over the years. This cartelization of our imports is contrary to Singapore's tradition of free trade and free competition. Soon after such specific licensing was implemented, the various importers' committees in Singapore were dissolved and import licences for fresh fruits have been issued freely to all applicants, although some restrictions are imposed to prevent the formation of the panel system and the reintroduction of restricted practices. The Trade Division does not restrict the number of fresh fruit importers or the issue of licences. It is estimated that there are about 70 wholesale importers of fresh fruits in Singapore.

Can the Minister say how many licences have been issued for the import of apples?

I do not know. I do not have the figures.

I am told that there is only one apple importer in Singapore. Is there any objection to anybody applying for a licence to import apples, and will his application be accepted by the Government?

I have already explained that whoever wants to import apples, plums or peaches can apply for a licence and he will get it. I do not believe that there is only one importer of apples.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of finance companies operating in Singapore and if he will consider introducing legislation for the licensing and regulation of the business of finance companies with specific provision to safeguard the interests of persons who deposit money with such companies.

The term "finance companies" generally applies to companies soliciting and accepting deposits from the public and making loans to the public to buy articles like motor cars, motor scooters, television sets, radios and refrigerators. There is a wide range of finance companies. They range from the larger ones operating usually as subsidiaries of banks to smaller ones which include pawnshops that accept money from the public. The operations of these finance companies are, in some ways, similar to banks but, unlike banks which are required to be licensed and subject to the provisions of the Banking Ordinance, there is no specific law governing the operations of finance companies. Therefore, it is not possible to determine the exact number of such companies operating here today, as these companies are not compelled by law to report or register or to inform the Government that they are operating as finance companies other than registration under the Companies Ordinance. My predecessor, who is now the Minister of Defence, has already expressed his concern over the activities of these finance companies in his Budget speech last year. He announced that Government would be introducing legislation to regulate and control such companies. This legislation is being prepared in consultation with International Monetary Fund advisers and we will introduce the Bill in Parliament in the near future - probably at the next sitting.

The Minister for Finance will note the statement, "with specific provision to safeguard the interests of persons who deposit money with such companies". Can the Minister say whether the Government will, by legislation, take responsibility to safeguard the money deposited with such companies?

I think it is best to leave the exact details of safeguards in the legislation when the legislation itself is introduced. But, first, let me say that Government is in no position to guarantee deposits by members of the public either in finance companies or banks or anywhere else. If you give your money to other people and they run away with it, then that is your own bad luck. You cannot go to Government and say, "Pay up." But what we can do is to ensure that finance companies do not fiddle around with other people's monies, that they have a sound investment policy, and that they refrain from certain acts which may endanger the security of their customers' deposits.

asked the Minister for Finance the total amount of old currency notes redeemed in the Republic from 12th June to 31st August, 1967, and if he is satisfied with the rate of exchange of the old currency notes for the new ones in Singapore.

As at 31st August this year, Singapore has redeemed $271 million of the old currency. This amounts to 34.65 per cent of the total currency of the old notes redeemed so far. Prior to 12th June, the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Malaya and British Borneo, was the issuing authority in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. The old notes therefore circulated in these territories and it was not possible to determine the exact amount of these notes circulating in each territory. This problem was especially acute in Singapore and Malaysia because the territories are so close to each other. There are no figures of the exact circulation of currency notes in these two territories, and the usual method of estimation has been to take the formula given in the Currency Agreement of 1960 and this formula is used in the distribution of profits. The formula estimates that Singapore's currency circulation will be between 15 and 18 per cent, the actual percentage varying from year to year depending on population and other factors. For 1966, the percentage was taken at 15.4 per cent. Our present rate of redemption of 34.65 per cent of the total note issue so far redeemed can therefore be regarded as quite satisfactory. This experience in redemption also proves what Singapore has always maintained - the amount of currency circulating here is higher than what was provided for in the Currency Agreement.

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Ho See Beng - 12.To ask the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the comparative prices per ton of imported rice and locally-milled wheat flour; what are the respective tonnages of these two staple foodstuffs consumed or estimated to be consumed per month by the people of Singapore; and what will be the estimated annual saving in foreign exchange by the increase of, say, four thousand tons in the consumption of wheat per month.

Mr Ho See Beng.

Question No. 12.

The price of Siamese white rice 100 per cent is 49 cents per katty retail, whereas locally-milled wheat flour of excellent quality sells for only 25 cents per katty. Wheat flour, therefore, costs only half as much as rice. Singapore consumes in an average month about 12,000 tons of rice and 4,000 tons of wheat flour. If we can persuade our population to eat more wheat than rice, as the Deputy Prime Minister has been doing for some time, there will be a substantial saving of foreign exchange. Assuming that the people of Singapore can increase their consumption of wheat by another 4,000 tons, we will save $1.8 million a month or $22 million a year at present prices of wheat and rice. Further, since wheat is milled into flour in Singapore, we will also be giving more income and employment to our citizens.

(In Mandarin): The Minister for Finance has made a comparison of the prices of rice and wheat. I would like to ask whether the Government has taken any steps to prevent the rise in the prices of wheat and wheat products.

I have already explained that where we reduce imports of goods either by import duties, or in in the case of flour, I think, by quota restrictions, the manufacturers of the local products - in this case, the millers of wheat flour - will have to discuss with Government any changes in the price of their products before they put that into effect. In other words, the opportunities of millers of wheat to increase their prices are very limited unless they have a reasonable case, such as an increase in the international price of wheat.

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Ho See Beng - 13.To ask the Minister for Finance if he has any information of an appreciable increase in the consumption of wheat flour since the Deputy Prime Minister's statement urging the people of Singapore to eat more wheat than rice, and if the increase is not significant what effective measures the Government will take to achieve the objective.

Mr Ho See Beng.

Question No. 13.

It is much too early to test the effects of the Deputy Prime Minister's exhortations as the "Eat more wheat" campaign was only launched last month.

asked the Minister for Finance when will the Report of the Salaries Commission be presented to Parliament.

The Report of the Salaries Commission is at present being studied. I hope to be able to present it to Parliament at the next sitting.

asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps so that more dust- bins are provided, and more labourers are employed to clear all the rubbish, in all the kampongs in the Changi Constituency and other Constituencies.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the answer to the question posed by the Member for Changi would best be answered in two parts. Firstly, to his question as to what steps the Ministry of Health will take to provide more dust- bins in all the kampongs in Changi Constituency and other constituencies, the answer is none. We intend to bring home to all Singapore householders, whether living in kampongs or urban areas, that every householder is required to have his own dust-bin (not a dust-bin provided by Government) with a proper lid (not one without a lid) to contain his household refuse. It is then the duty of the Public Cleansing Department to clear it daily. This service is now being performed free of charge, but we intend to charge a nominal monthly fee of $1 per month from the 1st of January next year and this charge will be included in the householder's monthly Public Utilities bill. Should a householder fail to provide a dust-bin after due notice has already been served on him by the Public Cleansing Department, he will be provided with one by the department but he will be charged for it in his monthly Public Utilities bill too. Secondly, to the Member's suggestion that more labourers should be employed to clear off all refuse, the answer is that after reorganisation of the Public Cleansing Department in February this year (more than six months ago), it has been found that even with the reduced work force of 3,500 - made up of 2,000 from the Public Daily-Rated work force and 1,500 from the Emergency Cleansing Corps as compared with the work force existing prior to the strike - there are, generally speaking, more staff than the work that is required of them. There is, therefore, no question of employing more workers for public cleansing. What is needed is more reorganisation within the department and closer supervision and reallocation of duties, so that the work can be more equitably distributed amongst workers. This is being undertaken, but it will take some time as it involves work schedules for thousands.

asked the Minister for Health (i) the number of complaints received by his Ministry alleging that his Ministry officials had insisted on unnecessary requirements for the licensing of eating-shops, etc.; (ii) the number of cases in which he has over-ruled or rescinded the actions of the officials; and (iii) what actions have been taken against the officers concerned.

Sir, the answers to the queries by the Member for Aijunied are as follows. Firstly, it is not possible to list out all the complaints received from the public from time to time, as after investigation the decisions of officials are generally upheld. Secondly, the number of cases in which the Minister had personally to over-rule or rescind the decisions of officials is 12. Thirdly, no disciplinary action had been taken against the officials concerned except to advise them to the effect that they could have adopted a less bureaucratic attitude and approach, and that more than just health requirements should have been taken into account when arriving at decisions. It is admitted that the job of licensing premises is not an easy one, and the Minister has accordingly appointed a Public Health Licensing Board of five members to deal with this problem, of which only one member is an official.

asked the Minister for Health how many cases of complications arising from criminal abortions were treated in Government hospitals in 1966, and what was the mortality rate.

Mr Speaker, Sir, accurate figures of the number of criminal abortions cannot be given, as women do not readily admit to interference with their pregnancy. An estimate, nevertheless, can be given. The number of patients admitted for abortions to the Kandang Kerbau Maternity Hospital over the years is as follows. These figures were reported by the Medical Superintendent of the Hospital at a seminar of the Family Planning and Population Board on the 15th of January this year. Total number of With abortions Sepsis Deaths 1962 4,279 425 1 1963 3,829 465 2 1964 4,295 450 5 1965 3,386 258 10 1966 3,432 265 5 The approximate average may be taken as around 4,000 cases admitted to the hospital per year. This represents nearly 8 per cent of the total number of births per year in Singapore. As it is estimated that abortions of all types occur at the rate of 10 per cent a year, it may be taken that there are about 5,500 abortions per year. Dr Lee Yong Kiat, who is a physician attached to the Medical III Unit of the General Hospital, when he was Medical Superintendent of the Kandang Kerbau Hospital, wrote an M.D. thesis on the subject of "Non-clinical aspects of induced abortions in Singapore", which was published in 1965. His study was over a period of seven months from 1st July, 1964, to 31st December, 1964, and it covered 1,676 cases. I should like at this stage, Sir, if I may, to quote page 102 of his conclusions: `The yearly incidence for Singapore would be 5,000 abortions. The total number of abortions is usually estimated to be 10 per cent of all pregnancies, which in Singapore would work out to be about 6,000 a year. It is my contention that, of this, 5,000 are criminally induced. 5,000 cases is 83 per cent of all abortions, or 8.3 per cent of all pregnancies.' That, Sir, is the study of an expert on the subject, and therefore I am inclined to accept the opinion of a man who has made a special study and compiled a thesis of the subject.

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Ho See Beng - 18.To ask the Minister for Health if lie is satisfied that wheat flour definitely has more nourishing food value than rice, which contains less protein, and, if so, whether he will take steps to publicise this fact.

Mr Ho See Beng.

Question No. 18, Sir.

Sir, nutritionally wheat flour has an edge over rice, as it contains more protein, calcium, iron, etc. The comparative analysis of the nutrient contents in 100 gm, of edible portion of the two grains is as follows: Highly Wheat milled flour, 70% rice extraction Water (gm) 13 12 Calories 360 365 Protein (gm) 6.8 8.9 Fat (gm) 0.7 1.3 Carbohydrate (gm) 78.9 77.3 Calcium (mg) 6 16 Iron (mg) 0.8 1.2 Vitamin A (I.U.) 0 0 Thiamine (mg) 0.12 0.12 Riboflavin (mg) 0.03 0.07 Niacin (mg) 1.5 1.7 Ascorbic Acid (mg) 0 0 Furthermore, there is the added advantage that the present cost of wheat flour is about half the cost of rice. Therefore, both from the nutritional and economic point of view, consumption of wheat flour is preferable to rice.

Since the Minister has said that wheat flour has more nourishing food value, will he give instructions to Government doctors or dieticians to publicise the fact?

I think the fact that the question has been raised in Parliament is sufficient publicity. But we shall give further publicity as requested by the Member for Aljunied.

The best publicity would be for Members to say they eat more wheat than rice!

asked the Minister of Defence, in view of the extra financial expenditure involved in the implementation of National Service, if he will consider setting up a "National Service Fund" and conducting a campaign for donations to the Fund from the public.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the extra expenditure incurred by the introduction of National Service should properly be paid out of the Consolidated Fund according to estimates approved by Parliament. Expenditures of this kind should not be made to depend on private donations. If additional sums of money are required, they should be obtained through increased taxation.

asked the Minister of Defence how many youths have registered for National Service; how many have been selected for two-year full-time military service and how many will be placed on part-time service, and from those selected how many are in employment either in Government service or elsewhere; and whether those who applied for deferment on the ground that they are sole breadwinners have been favourably considered and granted part-time service.

Persons liable for National Service include civil servants employed since 1st January, 1967 and male citizens born on or between 1st January, 1949 and 31st December, 1949. So far, 1,842 male and 1.251 female civil servants have been registered. 9,504 male citizens born on or between 1st January, 1949 and 30th June, 1949 have also been registered. The number selected for two years' full-time service in 3 and 4 S.I.R. is 900. In addition to this, a number of youths have just been taken in for particular vocations in the Armed Forces, making a total of 1,350 persons selected for full-time service. With regard to full-time service, those who proved that they were fully employed were not called unless they indicated preference for full-time army service. However, some of those in the national service age group employed in the public service were called up if they were of the quality required. Students in Government or Government-Aided Schools or taking a full-time course of study in evening classes conducted by the Adult Education Board were not called up for full-time service. 2,133 students will be enrolled in the Special Constabulary and 2,550 employed and unemployed persons into the Vigilante Corps. Of these, 1,012 have proved that they are employed. Those who applied for deferment within the stipulated period on grounds of social hardship, for example, that they are sole bread-winners, have not been called up. All such applications will be referred to an Advisory Board consisting of prominent citizens, and each case will be considered on its merits. Until a decision on the application is reached, such applicant will not be called up.

Will teacher trainees, for example, who have begun their teacher-training this year and are the sole bread-winners, also be called up for the two-year full-time military training?

Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said in my answer, those civil servants who are of the required quality may be called up. But, of course, they can make a case to the Advisory Board for deferment on grounds of economic hardship.

I understand from the Minister of State that the sole bread-winner of a household would not be called up. Can he explain? The Member for Punggol's question was whether a trainee teacher, who was also the sole bread-winner, would be called up. I should have thought that such a person would not be called up, according to the Minister of State's previous answer.

The position is that exemption would be given on economic grounds, but the appeals of those affected would have to be considered by the Advisory Board. Therefore, those who are affected and who consider themselves that on economic grounds they could not be drafted into national service, would have to make an appear to the Advisory Board according to the National Service Ordinance, and the Advisory Board would duly consider their appeals. As I have said, this matter has to be considered by the Advisory Board.

Can the Minister of State give me the number of applications on such grounds and how many applications have been favourably considered?

I am in no position to give the number of applications that have been submitted for deferment. However, on the question of how many applications have been favourably considered, the Board has just been constituted and, of course, they will look into these cases in the not too distant future.

Mr Speaker, Sir, is it the policy of the Defence Ministry that the sole bread-winner of a household would not be called up?

Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Minister of State has made it clear that on grounds of economic hardship deferment would be given, and I can assure the hon. Member that it is not the policy of Government to cause economic hardship to families who have only one wage-earner in the family. May I add that in most cases where - we are quite satisfied even at this moment - the draftee is the sole bread-winner, he has not been called up yet.

Will the Minister give me a list of those who have applied for deferment on such grounds, and how many have been favourably considered? Will the cases of those who have already been drafted into two years' full-time military training on the grounds that they suffer economically be reconsidered?

The answer to the first question is "No". I am not going to give him a list of those who have appealed, but I can give him the number of those who have appealed. The answer to the second question is "Yes". Such cases will be favourably considered.

asked the Minister of Defence whether the present strength of our marine patrols is sufficient and whether he considers it necessary to strengthen it further.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the strength of our marine police patrols is just sufficient for our present purposes, as the marine police have received an additional 11 patrol boats this year. Additional craft are being built and it is proposed to increase the police fleet by a further 20 launches in early 1968. In addition to Marine Police patrols, immigration and customs patrols are also available.

Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister of State aware that every month there is a considerable number of illegal immigrants coming into this country, and what measures is he going to take to prevent this?

Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as this department is concerned, every measure has been taken to prevent illegal immigrants. However, as the Deputy Prime Minister has pointed out at a public rally, among our population, we have unscrupulous people who just go and look for easy money. On one occasion the Member for Choa Chu Kang approached me and inquired why a certain person was being detained under the Internal Security Ordinance. That person was a local citizen who, by profession is a sampan man, indulged in the illegal transaction of bringing in Indonesian immigrants.

asked the Minister of Defence whether he is satisfied with the overall performances of the People's Defence Force (Women) and the Police Force (Women) at the National Day March Past, and whether he intends to increase and expand both Units.

Mr Speaker. Sir, the Minister was very satisfied with the People's Defence Force (Women) on their outstanding performance at the National Day March Past. There are no immediate plans to expand this unit. The Police Force (Women) did not participate in the National Day March Past. This was due to their numerous rehearsals in connection with the Police Military Display, which was another highlight of National Day Celebrations. There are no plans to increase this component of the Police Force.

(In Mandarin): I would like the Minister of State to clarify whether those women soldiers who took part in the National Day March Past were holding real rifles or fake ones, because many people, especially the male population, tend to say that women soldiers are not capable of carrying such big guns.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the weapons carried by the women P.D.F, on the National Day Parade were, of course, real ones and serviceable. In fact, many of the women P.D.F, have used them. However, as the Member for Delta has raised this point, I would like to say that I had occasion to go along with the Minister for Education to see teachers who went through a brief course of drill instructions, and we were told that many women had fainted during the course of training. So I would urge that while we, the male members of the country, including even Members of this Parliament, have volunteered for military training, the female Members of this House should do their part. While we may not have the facilities to provide training for women generally in the country, I would like them to indulge in more sporting activities and respond to the call of building a robust and rugged society, that is, take more part in outdoor games and do not just cover themselves when they are asked to do some training in the sun. Madam Chan Choy Siong rose -

Please make sure, Madam Chan, that it arises out of your original question and answer and not the Minister of State's second answer.

(In Mandarin): Does the Minister agree that the People's Defence Force (Women) has been admired and appreciated by the Ministers, because it is said that the male members of the Force were sleepy on that day when they were marching along the road?

That was the first time that the women P.D.F, participated in the National Day Parade and no doubt they put up a very smart march past. But to be fair to everyone, I would not dare to say that they were the best among the whole lot. I would like to say, however, that their turn-out at the Parade was very much above the average standard.

I think the men did the best on that day, Sir!

Order. We must not allow domestic squabbles to come into the House.

asked the Minister of Defence when the two community centres at Sin Ming Road and 4� milestone Upper Serangoon Road will be built.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the construction of more community centres in the Thomson Constituency was raised with the Prime Minister during his tour of the constituency on 28th May, 1967. Since then steps have been taken to construct two new community centres - one at Sin Ming Road and the other at Upper Serangoon Road 4 � m.s. In order to acquire land for the proposed Community Centres, negotiations have begun with the landlord of the site at 4 � m.s. Upper Serangoon Road and the Commissioner of Lands, Land Office. It is expected that both Community Centres will be in full operation before 31st December, 1967.

asked the Minister of Defence when work will commence on the proposed community centre at Jalan Membina.

Mr Speaker. Sir, the usual procedure for establishing a Community Centre is for the Member of Parliament concerned to propose a site or premises for a Community Centre. The People's Association then commences negotiations with the landlord or house-owner to rent or acquire the place. In this case the proposal for a Community Centre in Jalan Membina has not been raised until now and if the Member has any site or premises in view, he should immediately contact the Director, People's Association, who will then take the necessary action.

(In Mandarin): At Jalan Membina in Tiong Bahru a community centre was planned as far back as two years ago. I also took the Director of the People's Association to the site to look at the place. Two years have passed. I am afraid the Minister is not aware of this fact. What I mean to say is that there are many new flats and houses there, and it is a heavily populated area.

Mr Lee, could you frame a supplementary question rather than make a speech or criticism of the Minister's answer?

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister concerned speed up the work of building a community centre in that area?

There is nothing in my records to show that the Member had discussed this matter with the People's Association. However, since the Member has found a site which is suitable for the construction of a community centre, I would suggest that he take the necessary initial action; that is to say, he should propose to the People's Association for the construction of a community centre at that particular site.

asked the Minister of Defence if he will consider improving the appearance and quality of the paper of the restricted passport for travel between Singapore and West Malaysia.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the urgency of printing the present restricted passport and the large number required necessitated the use of whatever stock of security printing material was then available. A total of 200,000 restricted passports were printed, of which 87,000 had been issued as on 18-7-67. The present stock will have to be used up before a fresh format can be introduced. There are plans to bring out a new restricted passport with improvements in appearance and in the quality of paper used.

asked the Minister of Defence whether Partai Rakyat, Singapura, Barisan Sosialis and Pan-Malayan Islamic Party, Singapore, still exist and whether they have complied with the Societies Act.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Partai Rakyat, Singapura, the Barisan Sosialis and Pan-Malayan Islamic Party are still in existence in Singapore. The Pan Malayan Islamic Party has changed its name to Angkatan Islam and has indicated that it will comply with the provisions of the Societies Act. The Partai Rakyat and the Barisan Sosialis have not indicated that they will comply with the law. Everybody is aware that they are now openly scornful of constitutional democratic processes and are concentrating on illegal activities. It will be some time before the folly of their ways will be apparent to them and the wisdom of retiring to the constitutional arena commend itself to their leaders. It is in order to leave this option open to them that the Government is exercising forbearance and restraint.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister of Defence say whether there is a new Right-wing Party in Singapore and whether it has been registered?

This is hardly a supplementary question arising out of the question on the Order Paper. But if the Minister wants to answer it, he may. Mr Wee Toon Boon indicated dissent.

Mr Lim, I am afraid your question, not being a supplementary properly arising out of the question, will have to go unanswered.

asked the Minister of Defence the number of motor vehicles, giving also the type and make, reported to the Police as missing as a result of theft for each month from January to July, 1967, and the number of such vehicles recovered by the Police and in what condition.

Mr Speaker, Sir, from January to July 1967, a total number of 988 motor vehicles were stolen, of which only 345 were recovered. The breakdown figures for each month are as follows: Vehicles Vehicles stolen recovered January 94 24 February 128 42 March 148 40 April 130 46 May 174 72 June 152 59 July 162 62 Vehicles stolen include motor cars, lorries, vans, motor cycles and scooters. The condition of vehicles recovered by the Police ranges from a slight scratch to the loss of major parts. To supply the information as requested by the Member would result in a whole list of details. I do not propose to take the time of the House by going through the list*, copies of which I have here for distribution and for publication in the Official Report. [Copies of list handed in and distributed to Members] (* Appendix, cols 161-8 ) Appendix to Oral Answer to Question 27, cols. 106-7 (Cols 0161-0168)

asked the Minister of Defence if he is aware that disaffected trade unionists and disaffected politicians from Singapore from time to time confer with representatives of a neighbouring country in that neighbouring country, and whether such activities require constant scrutiny to ensure that no harm is done to the security and welfare of the people of Singapore.

Mr Speaker, Sir, there are always disaffected persons whether in the trade unions or in politics. The comings and goings of these persons do not generally give rise to any security concern except where such persons have influence over trade unions or political parties with a mass following, and are prepared to use the mass following contrary to the interest of the people of Singapore. If the Member for Telok Blangah could be more specific, my Ministry will look into the matter.

Is the Minister aware, for instance, that Mr K. Suppiah, formerly of the Public Daily-Rated Employees' Unions Federation, and Dr Thio Chan Bee of the Singapore People's Alliance have been meeting in Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur, with various Malaysians and, in fact, were conferring on the 20th of May this year in a quiet little restaurant in Petaling Jaya at lunch time when a group of trade unionists from Singapore happened to stumble upon them, to their consternation and embarrassment?

Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry has received reports of this particular meeting. Because none of the persons concerned, however disaffected they may be, wield any mass influence either in the unions or through political parties, my officers do not consider their meetings of any security threat to Singapore.

asked the Minister for Labour whether the Registrar of Trade Unions has received applications for registration of the Singapore Telephone Board Workers' Union, the Public Utilities Board Workers' Union and the Housing and Development Board Workers' Union.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the applications for registration of the three new unions have been received by the Registrar of Trade Unions. They are now under consideration.

asked the Minister for Labour, in view of the proposed retrenchment of local employees of the British military establish ments, what measures are being contemplated by the Government for their retraining for other occupations.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member will, of course, realise that the problem of retraining some thousands of local employees who will be affected by the run-down of the British bases is a task of considerable magnitude. Before any concrete plans can be formulated, it is necessary to obtain detailed information of civilian employees who will be retrenched, such as age, type of work currently performing, qualifications, experience and so on to enable a detailed study to be made of the type and scope of retraining that is required for alternative jobs in commerce and industry. This matter cannot he isolated from the fact that increasing numbers of youths who are entering the labour market will also need vocational training to fit them for jobs, it will, therefore, be necessary to consider this problem as a whole. The Government, however, assures the hon. Member that it will make every effort to formulate plans for the retraining of retrenched employees and training for our youths as soon as the required information which will be made available by the British authorities is studied in detail. This matter is now receiving the earnest consideration of my Ministry.

asked the Minister for Labour how many cases of false identity cards were discovered in the last two months and what action he intends to take in the matter.

Mr Speaker. Sir, eight cases of Singapore identity cards which had been tampered with for illegal use were discovered during the last two months. The persons have been prosecuted and convicted. The eight identity cards in these cases were reported lost by their rightful holders. These are the only cases that have been discovered since the issue of the new plastic laminated identity cards. The plastic laminated identity cards cannot be easily forged. Hence in all these cases genuine identity cards have been used. Only part of the cards had been tampered with to fit in with the features of the illegal holders. As in all these cases, the identity cards had either been pick-pocketed or stolen from the rightful owners. One effective way of control is to warn the public to take great care in carrying their identity cards. Further, the National Registration Office has taken steps to have very strict scrutiny of persons who make frequent reports of loss of identity cards. Officers in Government departments and statutory boards who inspect identity cards in the course of their duties have also been advised on how to detect identity cards that have been tampered with.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, is the Minister aware that recently there has been talk around town that there is a racket involved in the fabrication of false identity cards for persons from outside Singapore and inducing them, particularly women folk, to conic here and work as bar waitresses, dance hostesses and in other undignified professions? At the same time, is the Minister aware, too, that these people are making use of a loophole in the laminated plastic identity cards for illegal purposes? The loophole is that there is no seal or chop over the photograph. That means the photograph can be re placed or substituted easily with that of the false holder of the identity card. Has the Minister any means to deal with the situation?

Mr Speaker, I have not received any information of whether there is a racket in forging identity cards. As I have pointed out just now, this laminated identity card cannot be easily forged. So the only thing that these racketeers can do is to tamper with the identity card in the way the Member for Delta has mentioned just now. They may take out the photograph from the identity card and substitute it with another one which would fit in with the illegal immigrant. But in doing this, the tampered identity card will be very easily detected as there will be a hole and an uneven surface will be present on the card.

asked the Minister for Labour if he will give the numbers of persons issued with citizens' and non-citizens' identity cards and a breakdown in numbers and percentages according to ethnic and language groups as at a latest convenient date.

Mr Speaker. Sir, the total number of registrants under the National Registration Act, 1965, was 1,251,666 as at 1st of March, 1967, of whom 1,101,418 were issued with pink citizens' identity cards and 150,348 were issued with blue non-citizens' identity cards. The breakdown of the 1,101,418 citizens in broad racial groups is as follows: - Malays 84,554 (comprise 7.7 per cent) Chinese 893,553 (comprise 81.1 per cent) Indians and Pakistanis 66,407 (comprise 6.0 per cent) Others 56,904 (comprise 5.2 per cent) It is not possible to give precise details in respect of any group as the information on the various languages spoken by Indians, Pakistanis and others is not readily available. However, the above figures will also indicate the broad language groups.

asked the Minister for Labour how many illegitimate births were registered in the Republic between 1st August, 1966, and 31st July, 1967.

Mr Speaker, Sir, there were 51,214 births registered between 1st August, 1966, and 31st July, 1967. It is not possible to say how many of these births are illegitimate, as informants are not required to produce proof of marriage of parents at the time of registering their births. However, it is provided in the Registration of Births and Deaths Ordinance that where the mother is the informant and volunteers the information that the child is illegitimate, the surname of the child shall be the surname of the mother. During the period, 120 cases of such births were registered.

asked the Minister for Labour the figures for July and August, 1967, of (i) Malaysians who have changed their address from Malaysia to Singapore, and (ii) Singaporeans who have changed their address from Singapore to Malaysia, since the introduction of passport controls on 1st July, 1967, and the ethnic breakdown of the figures.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in July, 2,445 holders of Malaysian identity cards reported their change of address from Malaysia to Singapore and in August, 1,998 more reported their change of address from Malaysia to Singapore. These figures give a total of 4,443 holders of Malaysian identity cards who have moved down to Singapore during the two months of July and August 1967. The breakdown of these figures in broad racial groups is as follows:- Chinese 1,714 in July and 1,193 in August Malays 551 in July and 648 in August Indians and Pakistanis 156 in July and 140 in August Others 24 in July and 17 in August During the same period, a total of 124 Singapore identity card holders reported their change of address from Singapore to Malaysia, comprising 39 in July and 85 in August. The breakdown in broad racial groups is as follows: Chinese 21 in July and 52 in August Malays 6 in July and 12 in August Indians and Pakistanis 8 in July and 13 in August Others 4 in July and 8 in August

asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs how many infants, legitimate and otherwise, were abandoned by their parents and were looked after by institutions or by foster-parents during the period 1st August, 1966 to 31st July, 1967.

Mr Speaker, Sir, according to the records of the Social Welfare Department, the total number of unwanted children notified to the Protector of Children during the period 1st August, 1966, to 31st July, 1967, is 90. These 90 children may be classified under the following categories: (i) Abandoned children. These were babies found abandoned and referred to the Social Welfare Department as being in need of care and protection. Their parentage and origin are unknown. (ii) Unwanted legitimate babies. These were babies rejected by their parents and subsequently given to the Social Welfare Department or voluntary organisations for placement in adoption. (iii) Unwanted illegitimate babies. These were illegitimate babies handed over to the Social Welfare Department or voluntary organisations for placement in adoption. There are 10 in the first category, 12 in the second category and 68 in the third category. In addition, a total of 1,195 transferred children were registered with the Department during the period 1st August, 1966, to 31st July, 1967. These were not really cases of children un wanted or abandoned by their parents. They were, in fact, de facto adoptions privately arranged between the parents and the adoptors. Under the law, all such transferred children under the age of 14 have to be registered with the Social Welfare Department.

asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs (a) what was the cause of the recent fire at the Record Library of Radio Singapura; (b) what was the number and value of the records damaged or destroyed in the fire; (c) what was the cost of the damage to the building; (d) what is the number of records donated to Radio Singapura by the public, including firms, after the fire; and (e) what precautions had been taken against fire after the previous fire at the T.V. Studios.

Mr Speaker, Sir, police investigations to date into the fire which occurred on 15th June, 1967, at the Gramophone Record Library, Radio Singapura, have failed to reveal the cause of the fire. The Police report on the fire shows that there was no evidence to support the assumption that an electrical circuit had caused the fire, or that the fire was caused by petroleum or inflammable oils. Although the report did not show that the fire could have been caused by negligence on the part of the officers who had access to the Record Library, the Police report stated that the Record Library was not a prohibited place for smoking and that staff, with legitimate access to the Library, could smoke when they visited the Library on official business. After the fire, the Record Library has, along with other vital areas in TV. Centre and Broadcasting House, been prohibited areas for smoking. The total number of gramophone records damaged and destroyed in the fire was 94,506. They were made up as follows: 57,400 were 78 rpm records 18,600 were 45 rpm records and 18,500 were 33.1/3 rpm records. The original value of these records was $367,375. The cost of the damage to the building has been estimated to be $10,920. Up to yesterday, 6th September, 1967, the number of records received by Radio Singapura as donations from firms, individuals and foreign Embassies and Consulates was 5,938. After the previous fire on 15th August, 1965, the following precautions were taken: (i) In each area connected with T.V. operations, an officer was specially appointed to be responsible for fire pre vention. (ii) Definite procedure for action to be taken was laid down if a fire should be spotted by anyone. This includes: (a) information to the Area Auxiliary Fire Officer; (b) steps taken to guish the fire use of fire extinguishers; (c) the calling of the Fire Brigade; (d) the switching off of air conditoning and isolation of power supply to the area. (iii) Departmental fire officers were also appointed at Broadcasting House and the T.V. Centre. (iv) Following the fire, 90 officers from various sections had been sent to the Fire Brigade office for training. (v) To make officers aware of the danger of fire, a fire drill is conducted on every first Monday of the month. (vi) Advice of the Chief Fire officer has been sought as to an effective fire prevention system to be introduced in the vital areas of the TV. Centre and Broadcasting House. The Fire Prevention Officer has recommended an automatic sprinkler system as the only effective means of protecting the building and the equipment. The estimated cost of introducing the automatic sprinkler system is awaited from the Fire Prevention Officer.

asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs, as the Republic is in the midst of nation building, whether he will instruct the Broadcasting Division to broadcast more songs, music, plays and dramas with a patriotic theme over T.V. Singapura.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the media of Radio and T.V. Singapura have already been used to a significant extent to foster a national spirit amongst our citizens. This is done in a variety of ways through T.V, and Radio. In T.V. the most important of the programmes which inculcate a feeling of patriotism in our citizens is in the series "It's happening in Singapore" which was started on 15th January this year. The series goes out in four languages every week. The other series which is intended to make our citizens proud of our nation is in the Spotlight series. This is shown periodically to highlight different aspects of Singapore's achievements. So far this series has already shown our achievements in low-cost housing industrialisation through the Jurong lndustrial Complex, technical education and the Polytechnic, health services and cleanliness, communications, widening of roads, building of bridges, veterinary services to our rural population, development of community centres, and, lately, development of the Armed Forces. The national spirit is also fostered indirectly through plays shown over T.V. in the Malay. Tamil and Chinese media. As for broadcasts, the breakfast bulletin every morning gives speeches made by Ministers. Parliamentary Secretaries and other leaders of important events in Singapore. These speeches are intended to show what has been done in our island Republic to improve ourselves, thereby to help create a patriotic spirit amongst our citizens. Some of the speeches made by the Prime Minister and other Ministers have also been televised. In the field of songs, the Broadcasting Department has recently promoted a competition in lyrics written in praise of Singapore. Some 700 entries were received for this competition. The selected songs in four languages will be broadcast over Radio and T.V.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development how many cases of swine fever have been detected in the Republic re- cently; what steps have been taken to check the spread of the disease; and whether the disease is now under control.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the first case of swine fever was detected in Singapore on 8th July this year. Up to 26th August this year, 57 cases of swine fever involving 680 pigs were reported and confirmed. A mass vaccination campaign has been and is still being carried out, and so far about 113,000 pigs at 1,485 farms have been vaccinated. Publicity is also being given in the Press and over radio and television and through the distribution of hand-bills to advise farmers to have their pigs vaccinated as early as possible. In addition, the import and export of pigs have been temporarily suspended. The disease has been brought under control, but its complete eradication cannot be expected in the near future in view of the fact that territories surrounding Singapore are also infected with the disease. Further, some ignorant farmers are adopting a wait- and-see attitude instead of getting their pigs vaccinated as soon as possible.

Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister say how long will a pig so immunised be immune from such a disease?

Vaccinated pigs are protected for at least one year, probably more.

Now that the disease is under control, what other steps can be taken to immunise the entire pig population so as to prevent any possible outbreak of swine fever?

Although a large number of pigs have already been vaccinated, I agree with the hon. Member for Punggol that the only effective method is to vaccinate all pigs. But as I have said just now, many a farmer is reluctant to come forward and have his pigs vaccinated. The only way we can do it is to pass legislation to compel farmers to have their pigs vaccinated. But for the moment we do not think that such a measure is called for. We would rather use methods of persuasion than methods of compulsion.

Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Minister say that the reluctance of the farmers is due mainly to economic considerations? Will the Ministry lower the cost of the injections, so that reluctance would disappear?

I am sure the amount charged for vaccination is not the prohibitive factor. It is rather ignorance and hoping for the best until the disease strikes the farm. And then they come running to the Primary Production Department. When that happens, sometimes it is rather late. So once again I say that if all farmers will come forward, if the vaccination is free, we will give it to them free. But they will not.

Would the Minister consider rendering assistance to the affected farmers to restore their business?

So far the assistance we have given is to vaccinate the pigs. But the only method of assisting farmers would be for my Ministry to liaise with the Ministry of Social Affairs. Though my Ministry is in charge of pigs, it is the Ministry of Social Affairs that assists farmers who lose their pigs. But so far no requests for assistance have reached us.

(In Mandarin): Once the Primary Production Department has discovered that there is swine fever in an area, will the affected pigs be taken over by the Primary Production Department or returned to the farmers? This poses a threat to the consumers, as they are afraid that they might buy the diseased pork.

I can assure the hon. Member for Delta that no diseased pork is sold in our markets. Whenever swine fever is reported or detected in a farm, the farm is completely isolated. No pigs, are allowed to go in or to be taken out. And any pigs that die as a result of the disease are buried on the spot. So consumers need have no fears that the meat or the pork that they are consuming is infected pork.

4.22 p.m.

"to amend the Local Government Integration Ordinance, 1963 (No. 18 of 1963)", presented by the Minister for Health (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Medicines (Advertisement, and Sale) Ordinance, 1955 (No. 19 of 1955)", presented by Mr Yong Nyuk Lin; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to provide for the incorporation of the Rubber Association of Singapore as a body corporate, for the conducting of a rubber market in Singapore, for the promotion and regulation of the rubber trade and industry, for the establishment of a Singapore Rubber Fund and for matters incidental thereto", presented by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr S. Ramaswamy) (for the Minister for Finance); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

4.26 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to introduce a Bill intituled "An Act to amend the Criminal Procedure Code (Chapter 132 of the Revised Edition)." Bill read the First time.

Second Reading, what day?

Now, Sir,I lay upon the Table a Certificate of Urgency signed by the President in respect of the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment No. 2) Bill of 1967. Certificate of Urgency handed in.

The Certificate is in order. Are typed copies of the Bill available for the use of Members?

Yes, Sir. Typed copies of the Bill distributed to hon. Members.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill that is now before the House contains proposed amendments to section 368 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The reasons for this Bill stem from recent disturbances in the Republic, which had led to the arrest of a few hundred offenders accused of rioting and other cognate offences. The subsequent proceedings in court and the behaviour of the accused persons when produced in court had emphasised certain inadequacies in our Criminal Procedure Code, especially in regard to the powers of a subordinate court exercising criminal jurisdiction to punish offenders for alleged contempt of court. The particular case which hon. Members are no doubt familiar with relates to the occasion when the alleged offenders, when produced in court being jointly charged for committing the same offence at the same time and place, had misbehaved in so unruly a manner as to have destroyed furniture in the court itself. This extraordinary behaviour, quite unprecedented in the history of our courts, had brought to the fore the inadequacies of certain portions of our Code of Procedure governing proceedings in our Magistrates' Courts, especially so with regard to the powers of the court to commit for contempt even where the acts complained of are committed in the presence of the court itself. As the law now stands, Sir, the sole provision - section 368 of the Criminal Procedure Code - under which a subordinate court may summarily punish an offender for contempt only permits the court to impose a fine not exceeding $50. And it is only in cases where default in payment of the fine occurs that imprisonment for a term which may extend to two months may be imposed by the court. Even in such circumstances the period of imprisonment is terminated the moment the fine is paid. This is the only summary power which a magistrate has in imposing his will or in attempting to lay down law and order in his court. The authority and dignity of the court, it may be said, depend very much on the traditional respect normally accorded to members of the judiciary. Indeed, Sir, the occasion where a magistrate has felt the desire to call in the aid of such provisions as are contained in Chapter 32 of the Criminal Procedure Code in order to maintain the dignity and order of proceedings in court, limited though these powers are, have been quite uncommon. But what had transpired in the course of the morning when the cases of the rioters were mentioned in the Ninth Magistrate's Court in June last emphasises the need to enhance the powers of the magistrate in this regard. Hon. Members will agree that this must be so, especially when flagrant insults and deliberate acts of unruly behaviour calculated to bring the courts into contempt and ridicule must be met with means to impose sufficient deterrents. In order, therefore, that the administration of criminal justice in our subordinate courts may not be solely dependent upon traditional respect and in order that the smooth functioning of the machinery of justice may not be in any way impaired, even though these acts of hooliganism are very much the exception rather than the general rule, the Government have thought it necessary to introduce this Bill. By the proposed amendments to section 368 of our Criminal Procedure Code, adequate powers will be conferred upon a subordinate court to safeguard its dignity and to ensure its proper ad ministration of law and order. Thus the new section 368 will empower a subordinate court to impose sentences of imprisonment in the first instance, should the need arise, for the court to exercise its summary powers, to commit for con tempt. Furthermore, the maximum fine has also been raised ten times to $500. The court will now have a discretion of imposing either sentences of imprisonment in the first instance or a fine or impose a sentence combining both forms of punishment. The Bill which I am now seeking to move has been introduced on a Certificate of Urgency because of recent events in Singapore which are well known to Members. Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Question proposed. 4.32 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I just want to make a general comment on the Bill introduced by the Minister of Defence. As far as I know, the Criminal Procedure Code has been in existence for many years, both in Singapore and in our neighbouring country, Malaysia. In the past, magistrates and district judges were held in high esteem by whoever appeared in court. But nowadays conditions have changed and anti-national elements who are misled by their leaders go around flouting the law and destroying public property, for example, breaking traffic lights, street lights and defacing decorative, colourful arches and scribbling anti-national slogans on public buildings and so on. Therefore, not only do they make a nuisance of themselves but they also cause serious damage to public property by way of public funds. However, those caught in such acts are subsequently charged in court. But when these culprits are produced in court, they even behave in an unruly manner and they do not even respect the court of law. All that the magistrate could do is to impose a fine, a mere sum of $50, for contempt of court or, in default of payment, to imprisonment for a term which may extend to two months unless such fine is sooner paid. This measure, I think, would not be a sufficient deterrent. Therefore, with the amendment of this Bill, the magistrate is given the necessary power to increase the fine ten times, as the Minister of Defence has said, that is, $500, and impose a sentence of three months. This is an essential measure. Sir, it is universally known that the judiciary is independent, in which case, in exercising its powers, it makes its authority felt. It therefore upholds the respect for law and, therefore, the flouting of the laws of a country cannot be condoned. This is not a lawless society and when those charged under the appropriate sections of the law of the country persist in showing utter contempt for the sanctity of the law, they must be severely dealt with. To conclude, if I may, if I were to be the Minister of Defence, I would seek heavier terms of punishment, such as flogging. One stroke of the cane would do these anti-national elements a lot of good and, if not, three would definitely do it.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I fully support this amendment Bill introduced by the Minister. Sir, in order to uphold law and order ---

I meant to make this remark before Mr Ng spoke. I just wanted to remind Members carefully to avoid any reference to pending cases in the course of their speeches.

(In Mandarin): Sir, I fully support this amendment Bill. In order to uphold the dignity of our courts and maintain law and order so that our country may march forward progressively and become an industrialised country and thus provide a better life for our people, we must deal with these anti-national elements severely and prevent them from committing any malicious acts. Recently these anti-national elements openly flouted the law. They carried out illegal parades and demonstrations and damaged community centres, breaking traffic lights, etc. They have openly shown their contempt of the law in court. They have entirely disregarded law and order. They have caused a lot of inconvenience to members of the public. They have also brought about disrepute and great losses to our country internationally. Ours is a newly-independent country. We are now proceeding with our nation- building. In the past two years, with the harmonious co-operation of the various races and under the judicious leadership of our Government, construction activities have been going on in many flelds, and, as a result, we have made great progress. But it is regretted that these anti- national elements are trying every means to des troy our nation and prevent our progress. They are able to do so because ours is a democratic country and our law is rather lax. It is not strict enough to deal with them. If such acts had been committed in any Communist country, the culprits would have been severely dealt with. For example, they would have been sent to a labour reform camp or sentenced to death. So today it is very timely that this Bill is introduced in this House. I feel that it will be very effective in dealing with such people. At the same time, I hope that it will also help those who have gone astray to wake up. I hope they will turn over a new leaf and become good and useful citizens. Sir, we know that the anti-national elements are already bankrupt in political theories. This can be shown by the statements made by the ex- detainees over T.V. Singapura. I hope these anti- national elements will learn from the experiences and the new thinking of their elder brothers. If we want to prevent effectively these illegal acts, in my opinion, other than this Bill, public cooperation and Press editorials are also very effective means in achieving this purpose. With all of them applying their pressure on the anti- national elements, they will achieve the effect desired. I fully support this Bill. Mr Govindaswamy rose -

Mr Govindaswamy, I was thinking of taking the suspension now so that anyone who wants time to consider this Bill will have additional time. I will suspend the sitting now and take the Chair again at 5.20 p.m. Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.45 p.m. until 5.20 p.m. Sitting resumed at 5.20 p.m.

Debate resumed. Question again proposed.

(In Tamil): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister of Defence has sufficient reasons to introduce this Bill and I support it. If law and order is to be maintained in the country, there is a necessity for strict laws. According to the existing legal provisions, there is a possible imposition of a fine of $50 and up to two months' imprisonment. The proposed amendment imposes a $500 fine and a maximum of three months' imprisonment, or both. Even this increase in fine and the term of imprisonment is not, in my opinion, sufficient. The fine has been increased ten times, but the imprisonment period has been increased by only 50 per cent. The Minister apparently has done this with consideration. In the present circumstances, it is not difficult for a person to pay a fine of $500. Those who have the intention of repeating the same offences would be quite willing to pay a fine of $500. But if, instead of a bigger fine, a longer period of imprisonment is to be imposed, then people will think twice about committing an offence. In any case, this amended provision is necessary to maintain law. Normally we do not bring in amendments to the law unless it is absolutely necessary. In view of the trouble and difficulties created by certain people, the amended provision is really welcome and I fully support it. Further, if we do not bring in this amendment, it is not possible to maintain law and order. Justice cannot survive without stricter legal provisions. The law must help people and people must help the law. In these circumstances, I praise the Minister and give my support. 5.24 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I support this amendment and endorse fully the words spoken by the Minister of Defence when he moved the Second Reading of this Bill. The old section 368 of the Criminal Procedure Code would have been satisfactory in normal circumstances when the politics of Singapore ran on an even tenor. Unfortunately for us, certain groups of people in Singapore have of late deliberately taken to the path of bringing the administration of justice in Singapore into hatred, ridicule and contempt. I think it is imperative and important indeed that the hands of our judicial officers are strengthened so that they are able to deal with situations of this kind. I have in mind, Mr Speaker, Sir, certain events that occurred in the 9th Magistrate's Court recently where, on the magistrate coming into his court, certain persons stood up on the benches and showed their rears to him - a very serious business indeed. I believe that the amendment, as it stands, goes a long way towards acting as a deterrent against this kind of behaviour. We will, however, have to watch the working of this amendment and the efficacy with which it acts as a deterrent to see if any further extensions become necessary in the future, because I personally believe that these actions are politically motivated. They are not the actions of criminally motivated people; they are politically motivated. Provided sufficient funds are forthcoming, they would do the same thing in future. I would like to raise one or two points of a more technical nature, Mr Speaker, Sir. Section 368 of the Criminal Procedure Code provides a sanction for offences defined by sections 175, 178, 179, 180 and 228 of the Penal Code. For our purposes the most relevant section is really section 228. If I may briefly refer to the other sections, section 175 refers to omission to produce a document required to be produced by a public officer. Section 178 deals with refusing to take an oath. Section 179 deals with refusing to answer questions by a public servant. Section 180 deals with refusing to sign a statement, and section 228, which is the relevant one, deals with intentionally insulting or interrupting a public servant sitting in any stage of a judicial proceeding. I fear that section 228 may not go far enough. The ambit of section 228 may not cover the specific situations that we are faced with, be cause it says, "- a public servant... sitting in any stage of a judicial proceeding". It could be argued by any lawyer that persons standing on benches and showing their rears to a magistrate as he came into his court were not covered by the words of section 228. If this is so, then of course the amended section 368 of the Criminal Procedure Code will not come into play. This would stultify what we are trying to do and I would urge that section 228 of the Penal Code itself be looked into by the officials concerned with a view to extending its ambit. Finally, Mr Speaker, Sir, may I say that it is very important indeed that the procedures and processes of the judiciary, being one of the three main pillars on which the democratic structure of the Republic of Singapore rests, are not brought into ridicule and contempt, which is what certain political groups have been trying to do to show the people of Singapore that the institutions of our State are not worth supporting and that they do not represent the people at all. These groups seek to subvert and jeopardise the whole fabric of political life in our Republic. Mr Speaker, Sir, I support this Bill. 5.30 p.m.

(In Mandarin): The Minister has just introduced this amendment Bill and I lend my full support to it. First of all, one must know that the Criminal Procedure Code is one of the basic laws of our country. This is not a minor Act, unlike other subsidiary legislation. So this law should be made effective in order to achieve the purpose for which it is intended. It is possible that in other countries where there is a different but ideal system to achieve the purposes intended, there is no need for such a law. They may have precedents and other systems. They can still import some legal aspects into their systems, but they are limited in personnel to implement the same law. But Singapore is in a different situation. We have a democratic system and our laws are based on long traditions. We should try to help the Minister perfect our existing laws to suit our present situation. In the recent past, certain anti-national elements tried to disrupt law and order, but they could not achieve their purpose. The laws of our country are intended to benefit the people but not to restrict or suppress them unreasonably. This amendment Bill imposes only a minor penalty on the anti-national elements. What is important in law is that there should be a clear-cut demarcation between penalty and reward - what merits penalty and what merits reward. A $50 fine may be too small a sum to have any deterrent effect. We have read in the newspapers of events taking place in Hongkong and other places. When a riot or civil commotion is at its height, the people involved will go to the court and write slogans on the walls. Of course, we are not involved in this at the moment, but we should take action to forestall such incidents taking place in our country. There should be certain limits within which activities can be carried out outside the courts. The law should not allow anti-national elements to go beyond these limits. So they now turn on the law itself. This is a situation that we cannot allow to be perpetuated. We should at least improve our present law in order to prevent such occurrences. I would like to stress one point. Singapore is a democratic country, but it does not mean that we should weaken the rule of law. That is not what we want, if the anti-national elements want to avail themselves of our democratic system to further their nefarious ends, then I stress that the law should not allow them opportunities to do things for their own enjoyment. What is wrong must be wrong. There must be a clear demarcation between right and wrong. We must first lay a strong foundation in our task of nation building. Every nail should be hammered down securely in its proper place. So now and then we must keep an eye on our law and adjust it to meet any possible situation. It does not mean that an increase of a $50 fine to a $500 fine is the imposition of a very heavy penalty. The fine is increased ten times. This ratio indicates that the demand is now tenfold for more perfect laws. In view of what I have said, I give my full support to this Bill.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the purpose of this amendment Bill is to increase the power of the Subordinate Courts to punish offenders for contempt committed in the face of the court. Section 368 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which this Bill now seeks to amend, confers special powers on the Courts, other than the High Court, to deal summarily with five kinds of contempt under the Penal Code. These five kinds of contempt have been briefly referred to by my colleague, the Member for Bukit Panjang, and I need not go into them. However, I wish to draw the Minister's attention to section 228 of the Penal Code which provides for the punishment of intentional insults to a public servant sitting in any stage of a judicial proceeding. If the Minister's intention is to prevent a recurrence of what took place in one of our Courts in June this year, section 228 of the Penal Code may have to be looked into and, if necessary, amended. What happened in the Ninth Magistrate's Court in June this year was, as I gather from the Press, that the accused persons deliberately insulted the Magistrate by turning their backs towards him when he entered the court room to start the proceedings. If that was what happened, the present wording of section 228 may give rise to legal arguments as to whether such insults were offered while the Magistrate was sitting in any stage of a judicial proceeding. The words of section 228 of the Penal Code are: `Whoever intentionally offers any insult or causes any interruption to any public servant, while such public servant is sitting in any stage of a judicial proceeding shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand dollars, or with both.' The operative words are "is sitting in any stage of a judicial proceeding". Does the very entrance of a Magistrate into the court house constitute a sitting in any stage of a judicial proceeding? These are the thoughts I have on this amendment Bill - thoughts that came to my mind in what little time I had during the tea-break to do research. I am glad that my colleague, the Member for Bukit Panjang, agrees with me and appears to have the same thoughts. I commend these thoughts to the Minister for his consideration. Mr Speaker, Sir, we all know that the purpose of this amendment is to prevent a recurrence of the disgraceful spectacle that took place in our lower Court in June this year. This is a necessary measure and I am sure that nobody either inside or outside this House will disagree with it. Consequently, Mr Speaker, Sir, I support this amendment Bill.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I think there is a consensus of opinion among Members of this House that we should bring about sufficient deterrent to prevent any contempt of the judiciary. In fact, some Members have gone so far as to say that the penalties should be increased. Mr Speaker, Sir, I think that not only Members of this House feel that we should prevent any contempt or ridicule of the judiciary, but also members of the public do feel the same about it, because, as has been said by the Member for Bukit Panjang, this attempt to ridicule the court is not the result of a desire to commit a criminal offence but is purely for political motives. At this stage when all of us are concentrating our energies on our work and the public has accepted the fact that we must, in order to survive, discipline ourselves, it therefore goes against public sentiment to allow a small anti-national group to bring ridicule into our courts of law. Coming to the technical points referred to by the Member for Bukit Pan jang and the Member for Choa Chu Kang, I can only say that, as a layman, I will give this amendment a trial. I feel I can depend on the wisdom of the magistrates in the subordinate courts to apply the law and that it would not be difficult -- here again, I will not get into a legal argument with the Member for Choa Chu Kang - for a magistrate to call the court to order, if that is the right term, as soon as he comes in. But if these people still insist on behaving as before, the court could be said to be sitting in proceeding when he enters the court, and the law will be put into effect.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr Lim Kim San]. Bill considered in Committee: reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.

5.48 p.m. "to amend the Stamp Ordinance (Chapter 170 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified (Mr Lim Kim San); presented by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr Ramaswamy); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Singapore Army Act, 1965 (No. 13 of 1965)", presented by Mr Lim Kim San; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Police Force Ordinance, 1958 (No. 32 of 1958)", presented by Mr Lim Kim San; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

Order for Second Reading read. 5.51 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Hon. Members will recall that consequent to an Oral Question raised in this House at its sitting on the 20th December last year by the Member for Bras Basah on the Moneylenders Ordinance, 1959. 1 stated that consideration would be given to amend the Ordinance. The Bill before the House accordingly gives effect to Government's intentions in this regard, In the past, exemptions have been granted under section 2 of the Moneylenders Ordinance, 1959, far too freely to any body corporate or society which applied to be exempted from the provisions of the Ordinance. This practice has been found to be undesirable and will be discontinued. Clauses 2 and 9 accordingly empower the Minister to impose conditions when granting exemptions in future and initially restrict the period of exemption for a period of three years. Any body corporate which has been exempted up to the time that this legislation comes into force will continue to be so exempted until the end of this year. Thereupon it follows that such bodies corporate will have to apply for future exemptions to the Minister. Many borrowers complain that they receive from their moneylenders smaller sums of money than the amounts they were made to sign for on the promissory notes. Subsection (2) of section 16 of the Ordinance, which attempts to remedy the situation by requiring the moneylender to issue a crossed cheque, a crossed postal order, or a crossed money order niade payable to the borrower if the loan is $100 or above, has been found to be inadequate, as moneylenders can with a little ingenuity evade the provisions of the subsection. Clause 5 proposes to remedy the situation by requiring moneylenders to make a loan of $100 or above in the form of a crossed cheque with the words "Licensed Moneylender" endorsed thereon. Any moneylender or his agent shall not present to any bank account any crossed cheque drawn by another moneylender or his agent and made payable to a borrower - sub-clause (3) . By sub-clause (4) a person who is not a moneylender shall not present to any bank more than two of such crossed cheques in any one month. A bank manager may be required to furnish information to the Public Prosecutor to facilitate the identification of any person suspected of having committed an offence under this clause, having an account with his bank - subclause (5). Clause 6 requires a moneylender to afford the Registrar access to the cheques issued by him which have been cleared and to any note or memorandum setting out a contract in which the moneylender is or has been concerned. Clause 7 is an important provision, for it requires moneylenders to endorse on their promissory notes the amounts of money they receive from their borrowers immediately after receiving such repayments. A penalty is provided for con travention of this provision. This clause seeks to remedy the usual complaint that moneylenders do not give receipts for or make any records of the sums they receive from their borrowers on account of principal or interest. And it further provides that if a moneylender has been convicted of such an offence, he will be unable to enforce the contract for the recovery of any monies due to him from the borrower. Finally, by sub-clause (6) , the court is empowered to endorse details of such conviction on the note or memorandum. This should effectively prevent the moneylender from suing in more than one court on the note or memorandum. Clause 8 is also an important amendment, for it proposes to make it a seizable offence for a moneylender to watch or beset the residence or place of business or employment of a debtor with a view to harassing or intimidating him. The enactment of this amending Bill should not give rise to any objection from honest moneylenders. It is, however, designed to deter dishonest moneylenders from continuing the harmful and unfair practices that have come to the attention of Government. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Moneylenders (Amendment) Bill is designed on the basis of experience derived from the operation of the Moneylenders Ordinance of 1959 to tighten up provisions and to make it more difficult for moneylenders to evade those provisions. Any Bill so designed must receive support from all except the dishonest moneylenders who are regarded by many as the unavoidable parasites of society. I particularly welcome the proposal to make it a seizable offence for a moneylender to harass his debtors at home or at the office. All too frequently we see on pay day the furtive departure and sneaky homecoming of poor victims in the clutches of the moneylenders. Many of these poor souls fell prey to the moneylenders through no fault of their own, as they had sometimes to borrow money because of family sickness and other misfortunes. These unfortunate people must be protected from the excessive demands and harassment by moneylenders.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Barker]. Bill considered in Committee.

6.02 p.m. Clauses 1 to 4 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 5 -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 2, after line 5, to insert - "(a) by deleting the expression "(4) " appearing in the last line of the second proviso to subsection (1) thereof and substituting therefor the expression "(7)";". There are consequential amendments to re-letter paragraphs (a) , (b) and (c) as (b) , (c) and (d) respectively. Sir, these are all, in fact, consequential amendments which were overlooked earlier and are now necessary. Amendment agreed to.

Consequential amendments to re- letter paragraphs ku), (h) and (c) as (b) , (c) and (d) respectively will be made. Clause 5, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 6 to 9 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. New Clause A - " Subsection (5) of section 23 Amendment of of the Ordinance is hereby amended section 23. by deleting the expression "(e)" appearing in the second line thereof and substituting therefor the expression "(d)".". - [Mr Barker]. Brought up, and read the First time.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the clause be read a Second time." Sir, this new clause seeks to make a consequential amendment which was overlooked earlier. It is intended that it be inserted after clause 7. Consequential amendments to the numbers of the subsequent clauses will have to be made.

Question put, and agreed to. Clause read a Second time and added to the Bill.

This new clause is to be inserted immediately after clause 7. Subsequent clauses are to be renumbered consequent on the addition of the new clause. New Clause B - " Amendment of Paragraph (b) of section 35 section 35. of the Ordinance is hereby amended by deleting the words "for the grant of licences" appearing therein and substituting therefor the words "under this Ordinance".". - [Mr Barker]. Brought up, and read the First time.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the clause be read a Second time." This new clause is necessary so as to widen the Minister's powers to prescribe fees which are at present limited to prescribing fees for the grant of licences. It is considered that fees should be payable for the grant of exemptions as well, and this clause will enable such fees to be prescribed. It is intended that this clause be inserted after clause 9.

Question put, and agreed to. Clause read a Second time and added to the Bill.

This new clause is to be inserted immediately after the present clause 9, that is, at the end of the Bill. Bill reported with amendments; read a Third time and passed.

Order for Second Reading read. 6.10 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. "That the Bill be now read a Second time." As you are aware, the Public Authorities Protection Ordinance of 1912 provided, inter alia, that legal proceedings against public authorities should not lie unless instituted within three months after the act, neglect or default com plained of. This Ordinance remained in operation in Singapore until 1955 when it was repealed by the Public Authorities Protection (Repeal) Ordinance. The object of the repeal was to assimilate the law applicable to proceedings against public authorities with that applicable in other cases, with the result that public authorities ceased to enjoy any privileged position in litigation. The repeal was also designed to bring our law in line with the law in the United Kingdom. After the formation of Malaysia, the Public Authorities Protection Ordinance, 1948, of Malaysia was extended to Singapore by the Modification of Laws (Government Proceedings and Public Authorities Protection) (Extension and Modification) Order, 1965, made under the Malaysia Act on the 25th of February, 1965. This Orthnance, which still operates in Singapore, provides, inter alia, that actions against public authorities shall be commenced within 12 months next after the act, neglect or default complained of. In consequence of the independence of Singapore upon separation from Malaysia, it is considered desirable that the Public Authorities Protection Ordinance, 1948, of Malaysia should cease to apply to Singapore and that we revert to the position where the law applicable to proceedings against public authorities is similar to that in other cases. The Bill now before the House seeks to do this. Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Barker]. Bill considered in Committee.

6.14 p.m. Clauses 1 and 2 ordered to stand part of the Bill. New Clause - " Nothing in this Act shall affect any Transitional proceedings if the cause of action arose or provisions. accrued before the date of the coming into operation of this Act, and the time for bringing proceedings in respect of any such cause of action shall, if it has not already expired on or before such date, expire at the time when it would have expired apart from the provisions of this Act.". - [Mr Barker]. Brought up, and read the First time.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the clause be read a Second time." Shortly, this saving clause is to make it clear beyond any doubt that the Public Authorities Protection (Cessation) Bill will not affect the limitation period in respect of any cause of action arising prior to the cessation of the Public Authorities Protection Ordinance, 1948. It is intended that this new clause be inserted after clause 2.

Question put, and agreed to. Clause read a Second time and added to the Bill.

This new clause is to be inserted immediately after clause 2. Bill reported with an amendment; read a Third time and passed.

6.17 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Ordinance (Chapter 246), approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the fore-shore and sea-bed at Pasir Panjang Containing an area of approximately l0� acres as delineated on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/67" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. Mr Speaker, Sir, several projects are under consideration for making Singapore a more attractive tourist centre. Tourism has vast untapped potentials which we are determined to exploit to the full. This reclamation, which in volves an area of about 104 acres of foreshore and sea-bed fronting Haw Par Villa, is part of a development scheme estimated to cost about $414,000. The reclaimed land, together with a small area of adjoining State land, will be developed to provide tourist amenities such as night-clubs, restaurants and shops and will be an embellishment to the already well-established and popular Haw Par Villa. It is envisaged that the development, when completed, will give a further boost to our rapidly growing tourist industry. Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Ordinance (Chapter 246), approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the foreshore and sea-bed at Pasir Panjang containing an area of approximately 10� acres as delineated on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/67" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

6.19 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn. Question proposed.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the subject matter I propose to raise today on the Motion for the Adjournment is not a pleasant one. But, nevertheless, it is a matter and a problem which most people face and suffer daily. I refer to the filthy and unhygienic conditions of the toilet facilities in most of the Republic's coffee shops, eating houses, restaurants and public conveniences which have been allowed to continue under such unhealthy conditions for such a long time. Mr Speaker, Sir, this will certainly not attract tourism. Are we to remain complacent and tolerate such filthy and unhygienic conditions indefinitely? It is acknowledged that we have one of the best standards of health in this part of the world. Are we not going to maintain and improve this standard? Toilet facilities are one of the essential items which is being used daily. Yet most coffee shops, eating houses and restaurant owners pay very little concern for their cleanliness. In quite a number of these establishments, the water closets have been deliberately jammed and spoilt in order to save water expenses. I need not describe the untidiness of the water closets in these public places. Members will undoubtedly have faced the situation. In quite a number of these public places, food is also being prepared for consumption adjacent to these filthy lavatories. So far the Public Health Division has had no effective control of this problem. It is appreciated that effective control may be difficult because it would need a large force to police these establishments. But are they not operating on licences issued by the Health Ministry under regulations with which they would have to comply? There is now a campaign to keep Singapore clean. We want to make Singapore a clean, fragrant and attractive garden city. A poster competition is being organised in conjunction with the campaign. Enormous sums of State money are being spent to level off roadside ways, plant trees and flowers to make the Republic attractive. As from next year we were told that a $5 fine will be imposed on a householder not in possession of a dustbin. There will also be a campaign to select the cleanest, best-kept and organised community centre in the Republic. Mr Speaker, Sir, health education and effective control is needed to remedy this problem. So long as filthy and unhygienic conditions of toilet facilities in coffee shops, eating houses and restaurants are permitted to continue, it is incompatible with the efforts now being pursued to make Singapore a clean garden city. 6.25 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am grateful to the Member for River Valley for raising this subject for debate and drawing attention to what he has called "the filthy conditions of toilet facilities" in licensed premises selling coffee, eating houses and restaurants besides public places. He has, however, been fair to indicate that it is acknowledged that we do have a fairly high standard of health in this country as compared with that of neighbouring territories - not that we should be satisfied and complacent with that statement, because we can always improve on present standards to bring them to a higher level. I must, however, indicate certain difficulties which are being encountered in the Ministry of Health. Perhaps much more can be done and a higher standard of cleanliness can be maintained in Singapore if the social habits of our people are of a high order. I think it is well known that, unfortunately, such a standard of social behaviour is certainly lacking amongst large sections of the public. Take, for example, public places like parks, the Esplanade and places where people congregate together. There is a very shocking lack of dustbins in such places. We do not even see a single dustbin around. Nowhere else in the world does such a situation exist. This means that the thousands who do go to these places for entertainment are liter ally being invited to throw their litter and rubbish on the ground and make it a filthy place. If it is an accepted form of behaviour just to throw litter around, then when they go to the water closet, especially if it is a public water closet, they just do their business anywhere and care nothing about it. It is very difficult indeed to get public health inspectors prowling around parks to catch people throwing litter, or prowling near water closets to make sure that the man who has gone in to do his business will go on to do the needful. I would say, Sir, that it may take some time to educate our population to behave themselves. Perhaps we will have to start off with our children in schools and teach them to have better health habits - habits of personal hygiene and good habits of not throwing litter around. Of course, we should have more litter bins, and this is going to be done very soon. We shall be placing at least 2,500 litter bins in bus shelters and in parks. That is the first lesson. We cannot provide 20,000 litter bins because the expenditure involved will be considerable. But we are making a start and it is very likely that very soon we will be able to maintain a campaign of higher standards of public health with poster competitions, with public health lessons being introduced into the schools curriculum and so on, so that ultimately we will have not only young children playing their part but they will be telling their elders who have filthy habits to behave themselves at home as well as in public. All this will take some time. But that is not an excuse. If the Ministry's officials should be failing in their duties to inspect licensed premises, as stated by the Member for River Valley - here again there are problems concerning the volume of work involved. There are in Singapore today close to 1,900 licensed eating houses, restaurants and coffee shops. We have a Public Health Inspectorate of under 100. They are, therefore, expected to inspect licensed premises once a month. For the first eight months of this year, as many as 12,738 visits have been made by the Public Health Inspectorate. Of this number, on 344 occasions - three per cent of their visits - they did find that the toilets of the 1,900 licensed premises were in a filthy condition. It is then the duty of the Public Health Inspector to tell the proprietor to do something about his toilet, to keep it in a clean state, flush it, and so on, and to return a few days later to see that the work is done. It has been found that in most cases the proprietors do comply. It has not been found necessary so far to cancel any licence for failure to clean the toilets. The Member for River Valley has indicated that there has been deliberate jamming of water connections in water closets. When this arises and if a specific report is made to us, we shall be able to follow it up and put matters right. But where the coffee shop or eating house is situated in a strategic place, like being close to a bus-stop, or near public places of entertainment, there is a tendency for gross over-use of the toilet facilities, because members of the public just walk into the shops concerned and relieve themselves but do nothing about it, and therefore mess up the place. So some shopkeepers have become so desperate that they have decided to lock up the water closets. When this was brought to our knowledge, we naturally had to tell the proprietor that he could not just lock up the public convenience and that he should open it. It is possible that in certain cases, the proprietors were so desperate about the over-use of their water closets that they thought that by closing the water connections the toilet would be so filthy that people would not make use of it. But l am afraid that is not exactly what is happening, because people still do their business and make things worse. I would prefer that this question be tackled in a different way. It is no use just making a sweeping statement that everything is filthy and what can we do about it, and so on. Naturally, the answer will be, "Of course, we will try to do the best we can." But surely the problem can be tackled in this way. If a Member of Parliament or a member of the public knows of the filthy conditions of a particular shop, he can just give us a note to that effect, and we will be able to follow it up and rectify the situation. We will then be tackling specific instances, whether it is in the River Valley Constituency, Punggol Constituency or Jurong Constituency, and so on. An hon. Member: What about Geylang West?

Geylang West is very well behaved, because it is the first constituency that has had its hawkers licensed and resited. Hawkers on the five-foot ways have been cleared. About 200 hawkers over a stretch of 100 yards outside a market in Lorong Taha dispersed of their own accord. They took down their unauthorised structures and got everything nicely reallocated in Lorongs 5 and 7. The drains were cleared; mosquitoes got less; there were less flies. Surely Geylang West is now a model constituency for any Member of Parliament to come along to see! There is one little correction which I have to make. The Member for River Valley has said that there will be a $5 fine for a householder who has no dustbin. I am afraid he has got it all wrong. The penalty will not be just $5 - it will be very punitive. What we say is this. We expect every householder, whether he stays in the kampongs of Sembawang or urban areas like Geylang West or Anson or Tanjong Pagar, to provide a dust-bin of his own. But should some householders be found without a dustbin, we will have to give them adequate notice saying, "Look here, we find that you have no dust-bin. Can you please provide a dust-bin within seven days, let us say, or else we will provide you with one and charge you for it? It might be $5, or it might be $10 for the dustbin." But we are going to amend our legislation so that there will be a very heavy penalty for people who just throw rubbish from their houses on to the roads and into the drains. The first offence will be $150, not $5 which is chicken feed. The second offence will be $500. The third one will be $1,000. The social habits of our people - mainly the hawkers - are bad because they are irresponsible, and that is what is happening today. Hawkers are only interested in making money. We like them to be able to earn a livelihood, but the way in which they throw their refuse on to the roads and into the drains is a ridiculous state of affairs which has got to be stopped. When we go along the streets, we see people sweeping refuse into the drains as if the drains are dust-bins. We have to stop this nonsense. So with this new legislation, we will be able to bring home to our people the fact that they have to learn how to dispose of their refuse properly, by placing it in a dust-bin with a proper lid. Our workers will then be expected to perform a daily cleansing service, and if that does not come about, please give us a report and disciplinary action will be taken against the particular cleansing worker who fails to do his duty. We will therefore have, as a first stage, to get our workers in the Public Cleansing Department to do their work. I think we have reached that stage now. The second stage is to get the public to do their share of putting their refuse inside proper dust-bins, failing which we will have to be a little hard on theni if they cannot behave themselves. There is every possibility that within the next few months, things will be tightening up and that there will be more cleanliness around the city. In fact, it must be admitted that things are looking better than before. The city is certainly much cleaner now than before the February strike. As we begin to tighten up supervision of our work force - whether in public cleansing or even in the Public Health inspectorate who go round inspecting licensed premises - we should be able, with the co- operation of the public, to bring about a situation to which we are all looking forward, that is, our Singapore can be a garden city. I am grateful, therefore, to the Member for River Valley for having brought up this matter so that I am able to impress upon the Public Health Inspectorate that they must do much better than what they have done in the past. We expect them to make more frequent visits, more than just once a month, and to maintain a much cleaner atmosphere not only in the lavatories of eating shops, coffee shops and restaurants, but even in the premises themselves. By next year, we should see less flies, less mosquitoes and breathe less smell.

Mr Speaker, Sir, can I ask two questions for clarification?

What are the questions?

One is, what about the private streets to which the workers do not go? The second question is, many a morning, workers of the Cleansing Department do not handle the public dust- bins with care. When you get up in the morning, very often you find dust-bins in the drain.

Mr Rodrigues, your questions are irrelevant to the matter raised and do not properly come within the ambit of the Adjournment debate.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn. Adjourned accordingly at Eighteen minutes to Seven o'clock p.m.

Thursday, 7th September, 1967

asked the Deputy Prime Minister if he will ascertain from the respective authority or if he is able to say whether the appointments of General Manager of the Singapore Telephone Board and the Public Utilities Board are on a permanent or contract basis.

The General Manager of the Singapore Telephone Board is on the permanent establishment and the General Manager of the Public Utilities Board is on contract.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider asking shopkeepers to display price tags on important consumer goods such as rice, sugar, flour, etc.

The increase in the price of rice in Singapore has been due to a general increase in prices of rice in the world market. There is adequate rice in Singapore and the retail price of rice in Singapore, although it has been higher than in the past, is mainly determined by the supply and demand of the world market for rice, since Singapore produces no rice of its own. Apart from the increase in the price of rice, the prices of sugar, flour, cooking oil and other essential commodities have not shown any substantial increases. There is therefore no pressing need to ask shopkeepers to display price tags. Apart from the fact that price tags do not serve a very useful purpose, in view of the grades of the various commodities concerned, especially that of rice, such a display of price tags may mislead the public to think that there is a shortage of these essential commodities, and may unnecessarily cause a rush to hoard these commodities. Arrangements, however, are being made to broadcast twice daily in the four languages the average price of rice, sugar, wheat flour and other essential commodities.

asked the Minister for Finance (a) how many firms have been given pioneer status since 9th August, 1965, and how many firms which had been accorded pioneer status have closed down or terminated business since 9th August. 1965; and (b) why pioneer status has been given to many firms in the same industry, such as the four firms in the plywood industry, and whether this is not harmful to the promotion of local industries.

Since Singapore Day on 9th August, 1965, 73 pioneer certificates were awarded to firms, making a total of 187 pioneer companies to date. 12 of these firms had to abandon their projects for various reasons. One because the owner fell seriously ill. Several others which are textile mills had to close down because of imposition of textile quotas by the U.K, and the U.S. Governments and the rest because the major shareholders could not agree among themselves. The Government has in its industrial promotion efforts put particular emphasis on industries which show promise of high export performance. Thus, in a number of cases more than one pioneer certificate has been issued in the same industry. In most of these cases, a minimum export performance is a condition of the award of a pioneer certificate. In the case of the plywood industry, any one of the firms would be able to supply the entire local demand. However, the export potential of this industry is very great and, therefore, the Government has thought it fit to award more than one pioneer certificate in order to encourage this type of export-orientated industry. Ours is essentially a free enterprise economy and if there is no profit to be made in an industry, investors would not be prepared to risk their money in starting a factory when there is already another factory in production. If the investor is convinced that it is worthwhile for him to risk his money in an industry and if he can convince us that he has sufficient export possibilities, we are prepared to grant a pioneer certificate even if there are other firms in the industry.

asked the Minister for Education whether the Government will consider increasing its grant to the Boy Scouts' Movement in the Republic in view of the significant contribution the Movement is making towards a rugged and robust nation.

The annual grant by the Government to the Boy Scouts' Association was increased as recently as 1966, from $10,000 to $13,000. It is the Government's policy to encourage youth movements to enlist public support for their activities, and I was informed that the Boy Scouts have been successful in raising funds through their own efforts. For these reasons, it is not anticipated that there will be any substantial increase in the Government grant to the Boy Scouts' Association in the near future.

asked the Minister of Defence, in view of the demolition of the Minto Road Community Centre and the imminent demolition of the Beach Road Community Centre, whether the Government has any plans to build a new community centre in the area.

Negotiations have begun with the Head of Urban Renewal for a site within the present Housing Board project bounded by Sumbawa Road, Beach Road, Crawford Street and North Bridge Road. The prospects of obtaining such a site for the construction of a new community centre appear favourable.

asked the Minister for Education whether he will give the breakdown figures of the number of children registered for Primary One Classes in 1968 in the four language streams; and whether all will be given places in the school of their parents' choice.

The breakdown figures are as follows: - No. of children Language stream registered (i) Malay 3,043 (ii) Chinese 18,883 (iii) Tamil 95 (iv) English 34,765 ------ Total 56,736 ====== Places will be available for all children who are eligible for admission to Primary One classes in 1968. About 52,000 children or 92 per cent of children registered will be admitted to schools of their parent's choice. It is not possible for every child to be accommodated in the school of his or her parent's choice because some parents have registered their children in schools in which all places have already been taken up at the time they applied for their children. However, these children will be posted to schools which have vacancies near their homes.

asked the Minister for Labour if he is able to say whether the appointment of General Manager of the Central Provident Fund Board is on a permanent or contract basis.

The appointment of the General Manager of the Central Provident Fund Board is on a contract basis. This contract will expire on 30th April, 1971.

asked the Minister for Labour whether the Government will consider introducing legislation to ensure that Singapore Citizens shall be the last to be retrenched when private firms retrench employees who are not represented by a trade union.

The Honourable Member for Telok Blangah is fully aware that the policy of the Government is to encourage the development of a strong, healthy, democratic trade union movement and that collective bargaining is the corner-stone of our system of industrial relations. The Government would like every worker to be a member of a trade union. However, on the question of retrenchment, irrespective of whether the workers are members of a trade union or not, the Government's stand is clear: that is, the interests of our citizens should have priority over non-citizens and that the citizens should be the last to go. It is considered that there is no necessity just now to introduce legislation to this effect. However, if the need arises, the Government will not hesitate to do so to safeguard the interests of our citizens affected by retrenchment.

asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs whether the Government will consider issuing a directive to all sports bodies, which are receiving a grant from the Government, to buy locally-manufactured equipment whenever possible.

The grants made by the Government to various sports bodies are not for the purchase of equipment, locally-manufactured or otherwise. They are normally made for a specific purpose such as meeting the accommodation expenses of overseas competitors taking part in the Pesta Sukan or for travelling expenses of local bodies participating in overseas competitions. For most games like badminton, cricket, golf and tennis, we do not have locally-manufactured equipment. Generally too, players prefer to purchase equipment of their own choice from their own funds. However, an appeal will be made to the Sports Associations who are members of the Singapore Sports Council to use locally-manufactured equipment whenever possible.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Port of Singapore Authority whether the appointment of General Manager of the Authority is on a permanent or contract basis.

Section 32 of the Port of Singapore Authority Ordinance, 1963, empowers the Authority with the approval of the Minister, to appoint a General Manager on such terms and conditions as the Authority may think fit. The present incumbent, Mr Goh Koh Pui, who is concurrently Chairman and General Manager of the Port of Singapore Authority, is a substantive Permanent Secretary, Superscale Grade C, now on secondment to the P.S.A. since 1st September, 1964.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board the number of applicants who have been waiting for the Board's flats for six months or more and whether steps are being taken to expedite the allocation of flats to the applicants.

There are 5,658 applicants who have registered for Housing Board's flats for six months or more. Of these applicants, a few hundred have requested for specific housing estates such as Lavender Street where the present 2-room and 3- room flats are exclusively used to rehouse clearance families from the Golden Mile and Balestier Estate Renewal. All the rest have, however, been made offers but have refused the offers for one reason or another. The delay is due entirely to the applicants for being choosy and not due to any procedure of allocation adopted by the Board. As I have said before, any applicant who is not choosy about the locality can be accommodated immediately. There are 2-room flats available at Kampong Tiong Bahru at a rental of $55 per month and 3-room flats at Bukit Ho Swee at $60 per month.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development what is the policy of the Government in regard to the installation of street lights along roads in private housing estates which have been declared public roads.

Prior to 1st March, 1961, plans for the construction of private streets by private developers were approved even though no provision was made for street lights. After 1st March, 1961, however, all plans for private streets must include provisions for street lights before they are approved. It is the policy of the Government so far as funds are available to install street lights along roads in private housing estates which have been declared public roads. But public funds for this purpose are not inexhaustible and furthermore, these funds have to be distributed among the various constituencies. As these funds are limited, priority is given to requests for street lighting where the need is more urgent. All requests for street lighting are therefore carefully processed by the Urban and Rural Services Committee and the Projects Committee before approval is given.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether and when public street lights will be installed from 9 � m.s. Ponggol Road to Ponggol Point.

The request for the installation of street lights along Ponggol Road from the 9 � m.s. to Ponggol Point will be considered by the Projects Committee at its next meeting and if the request is approved, the work can commence in early October 1967.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether his Ministry will publish a pamphlet with a map showing the areas in Singapore subject to flood at times (a) when there is heavy rain, (b) when heavy rain coincides with high tides, and containing guidance on alternative routes to persons who normally travel through such areas; and whether he will request the assistance of the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Broadcasting in order to give early warning on flooded areas and frequent guidance on alternative routes at times of flood so that workers and school children will not be delayed on their way to or from places of work and school.

The Ministry of National Development has prepared maps showing the areas affected by floods early this year and the depths of the floods. These maps have been circulated to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Interior and Defence. This information, if necessary, could be published in the form of a pamphlet for the guidance of the general public. However, a pamphlet alone would be inadequate to alleviate problems caused by floods. Both the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Broadcasting have assisted in past floods in giving early warning on flooded areas and guidance on alternative routes at times of floods. Even the Army has assisted by transporting school children in badly affected area. However, these are only flood relief measures. The real answer to the problem is to eradicate flooding completely. This is a difficult task but is being attended to. In fact several projects are being undertaken to eradicate or reduce flooding in certain areas, like the cutting of two canals in two phases from Bukit Timah Road to deviate the storm waters to Ulu Pandan and Kallang.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development what industries or trades affected by the urban renewal and the Golden Mile schemes are relocated in the Tanjong Rhu Resettlement Area.

The industries or trades affected by the urban redevelopment and the Golden Mile Project which are relocated in the Tan jong Rhu Resettlement Area are those which require to be sited near the water-front. These include boat- builders, charcoal and firewood importers and such obnoxious industries or trades as wooden box makers, and blending and re-packing of black oil and other wood preservative oils.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether he is aware of the existing facilities of a boatel near the sea- front at Kallang Park, and whether he will consider including boating and yachting amenities in the new redevelopment projects for tourism in Kallang Park earmarked for private development.

Yes, I am aware that there is an existing boatel operating near the sea-front at Kallang Park on a Temporary Occupation Licence at which boats can be moored, serviced or hired. The operator is also a distributor of outboard motors and accessories. Boating and ferry service faci lities are being included in the "Floating Restaurant Project", one of the 4 sites in the Kallang Park offered for lease by tender by the Government.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether the Government will consider providing more facilities in the suburbs or near industrial areas to enable commercial houses or local distributors of merchandise to rebuild their warehouse affected by the urban renewal development, as warehousing forms an integral part of the entrepot trade of the Republic.

I would like to assure the Honourable Member that my Ministry has indeed been looking into various possibilities of providing more warehouse facilities both in the suburbs and near industrial areas to enable commercial houses and distributors of merchandise to relocate warehouse affected by urban renewal. The problem is not a simple one as the site selected should ideally be close to the harbour and railway station and preferably not too far from business centres for easy and cheap transportation of goods. More investigations and feasibility studies are being undertaken by the Urban Renewal Department. Eventually, land may have to be reclaimed from the sea along Pasir Panjang to provide a warehouse zone that will be generally acceptable. In the meantime, existing warehouses which are affected by urban renewal are given priority wherever alternative sites are available. Appendix to Oral Answer to Question 27, cols. 106-7 (Cols 0161-0168)