Hansard, 1969-10-15

Under the provisions of clause 2 (d) of Article 30 of the Constitution of Singapore, the following Members have been granted permission to be or to remain absent from sittings of Parliament (or any committee of Parliament to which they have been appointed) for the periods stated:- Mr N. Govindasamy (Telok Blangah) from 30th June to 14th July, 1969. Mr Chan Chee Seng (Jalan Besar), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs from 14th to 20th July, and from 25th September to 4th October, 1969. Mr Jek Yeun Thong (Queenstown), Minister for Culture from 15th July to 31st December, 1969. Mr Sim Boon Woo (Changi) - from 17th to 21st July, and from 19th August to 6th September, 1969. Mr Lim Soo Peng (Havelock) from 23rd to 27th July, 1969. Tuan Haji Ya'acob Bin Mohamed (Kampong Ubi), Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office - from 25th to 28th August, 1st to 6th September, and from 18th September to 31st December, 1969. Mr Phua Bah Lee (Tampines), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications - from 1st to 14th September, 1969. Mr Yong Nyuk Lin (Geylang West), Minister for Communications - from 1st to 30th September, 1969. Mr P. Coomaraswamy (Mr Speaker) from 3rd to 30th September, 1969. Inche A. Rahim Ishak (Siglap), Minister of State for Foreign Affairs - from 6th to 20th September, 1969. Mr S. Ramaswamy (Potong Pasir), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (Law Division) - from 11th September to 2nd October, 1969. Mr Fong Sip Chee (Stamford), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture from 16th September to 15th October, 1969. Dr Lee Chiaw Meng (Farrer Park), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education from 21st September to 1st November. 1969. Dr Goh Keng Swee (Kreta Ayer), Minister for Finance - from 24th September to 8th October, 1969. Mr J. F. Conceicao (Katong) - from 25th September to 23rd October, 1969. Mr Hwang Soo Jin (Jalan Kayu) - from 25th September to 25th October, 1969. Mr S. Rajaratnam (Kampong Glam), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour - from 26th September to 2nd November, 1969. Mr L. P. Rodrigo (Serangoon Gardens), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs - from 1st October to 4th December, 1969. Mr Ho Kah Leong (Jurong) from 11th to 25th October, 1969. Mr Lee Khoon Choy (Hong Lim), Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office - from 13th October to 31st December, 1969. Mr P. Govindaswamy (Anson) from 22nd October to 9th November, 1969. Mr Ong Soo Chuan (Nee Soon) from 29th October to 15th November, 1969. Inche Abdul Aziz Karim (Kallang)- from 29th October to 17th November, 1969. Dr Toh Chin Chye (Rochore), Minister for Science and Technology on 15th October, 1969. (P. COOMARASWAMY) Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

I have been informed by the President that, on the days stated, he assented to the following Bills:- 14th June, 1969 (i) Currency (Amendment) Bill; and (ii) Parliamentary Pensions Bill. 16th June, 1969 (i) Economic Development Board (Amendment) Bill; (ii) Port of Singapore Authority (Amendment) Bill; and (iii) National Service (Amendment) Bill. 17th June, 1969 (i) Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Bill. (P. COOMARASWAMY) Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing amending legislation to allow income tax reliefs to tax-payers who are maintaining their aged parents.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in Asian societies, the support of aged parents is an acknowledged responsibility of all decent citizens. Indeed, Confucius has elevated this into a basic ethical principle, and Chinese classical literature is replete with examples of outstanding acts of filial piety. In these circumstances, it would be unworthy of us to introduce mercenary considerations such as relief from income tax. Sir, if this approach does not appeal to the hon. Member, may I add a less traditionalist argument? An International Monetary Fund mission has recently examined our tax system and has stated that our tax reliefs are overgenerous and could with advantage be reduced.

asked the Minister for Finance (a) whether notices for payment of property tax on attap or wooden houses are sent annually to the house-owners so as to avoid their having to pay accumulated arrears for as many as five years' tax in one payment; and (b) whether he is aware that some such house-owners who had been ordered to demolish their houses have had to pay five years' arrears of property tax.

Mr Speaker, Sir, notices for payment of property tax in respect of known attap or wooden houses are sent out half-yearly, although, in law, property owners are required to pay property tax in respect of their property without demand. Sir, it is known that there had been, cases of landlords who, with a view to evading property tax, had let out their property and collected rents without informing the tax department and without paying property tax. When these cases were discovered, these landlords were made to pay the property tax due, notwithstanding the fact that the property in question was under an order for demolition.

asked the Minister for Finance (a) how many applications have been received from, civil servants for loans to purchase houses built by private developers from 1st January, 1964, up to the latest convenient date, and the total amount of the loans applied for; (b) how many of the applications have been approved, and what is the total amount of the loans granted; (c) what are the reasons or grounds for rejecting an application; and (d) whether he will consider relaxing the rules governing applications for housing loans by granting loans to civil servants who are already living in their own houses and who wish to exchange their existing houses for bigger ones.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is as follows: (a) Up to 30th September, 1969, 992 applications for loans amounting to $22,721,460 were received. (b) A total of 771 applications for loans amounting to $16,775,770 were approved. Ninety-two applications for loans amounting to $2,013,400 were withdrawn. Thirty-five applications for loans amounting to $810,180 are under consideration. (c) Applications are rejected where the applicant is ineligible under the Government Officers' Housing Loan Scheme, e.g. where the applicant already owns a house, and has previously been granted a loan to purchase a house. (d) Each case is considered on its merits. As a general rule, because the interest rates are low and the Scheme is intended to assist those who do not own houses, the exchanging of houses for bigger ones is not allowed, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Sir, it is not a question of exchanging a house. What would be the answer in the case of an officer who having had a housing loan now sells the house with the intention of buying another?

As I said, Mr Speaker, Sir, the interest rates for housing loans are very low. Also, these loans are primarily meant to help Government officers who do not own houses. If they already had housing loans, normally their applications would not be approved unless there were special circumstances.

Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary enlighten. me on what the "special circumstances" are before an officer is entitled to a second loan?

Mr Speaker, Sir, each application will be considered on its merits. Unless the applicant lists his special circumstances, I will not be able to tell the Member whether or not the application will be approved. But if he has any particular application in mind, perhaps he will send it to the appropriate authority who will no doubt consider it.

Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House of any example of "special circumstances" that has been applied in such a case?

Mr Speaker, Sir, all cases will be considered on their merits. Unless the Member can give a particular case, I cannot really answer his question. To do so would, in fact, just be an academic exercise.

Sir, is there any discrimination between lowly-paid and highly-paid Government officers in the consideration of housing loans?

I do not think so, Sir.

asked the Minister for Education whether free primary education will be given to children born in the Republic of parents who are non-citizens but are permanent residents.

Mr Speaker, Sir, children born in the Republic prior to 16th September, 1963, are eligible for free primary education. Children born in the Republic on or after 16th September, 1963, are eligible (in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic in respect of citizenship) for free primary education only if at least one of the parents is a Singapore citizen. However, those born in the Republic on or after 16th September, 1963, of non-citizen parents, at least one of whom has been permanently residing in the Republic prior to 1st January, 1966, will be required to pay the old rate of school fees, which is only $2.50 per month.

asked the Minister for Education if he will examine the feasibility of the running of university courses at night to afford young working-class people the opportunity to do a university course.

Mr Speaker, Sir, our university education has expanded at a considerable speed recently, and with the reorganisation that is taking place, it would be desirable for our universities to consolidate their existing commitments and to expand further only in those areas which are to serve the more urgent needs of the Republic. Though university resources are at present limited in terms of finance and staff, the University Extra-mural Studies Department has been organising courses for the last six years to fulfil the needs of persons who are already in employment. The Adult Education Board also runs further education classes to afford young working-class people the opportunity of further education.

(In Mandarin): Sir, does the Government intend to organise night courses at the universities to cater for the young working-class people?

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have just given two reasons why it is not feasible to run night courses at the universities.

asked the Minister for Education what action has been taken to deal with (i) players and officials who beat up referees at tournaments sponsored by the Schools' Sports Council at both school and district levels; and (ii) school teams which displayed bad conduct at national tournaments; and what measures have been taken to prevent similar occurrences.

Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as this Ministry is aware, there was only one incident in the Basketball National Championship Tournament sponsored by the Combined Schools' Sports Council this year. The referee's decision during a keenly-contested match between two schools was not well received by some spectators. In the melee that ensued when the spectators invaded the court, a coach was alleged to have assaulted the referee. The coach denied this allegation of assault, but nevertheless apologised to the referee concerned. The Basketball Convenors Committee has recommended to the Singapore Combined Secondary Schools' Sports Council that in future tournaments: (a) Officials and players must adhere strictly to the decision of the referee. A team will be disqualified for the whole tournament if any violence breaks out as a result of the non-acceptance of the referee's decision. (b) Principals must place great emphasis on good sportsmanship and discipline among their teachers, pupils and players throughout the tournament. These recommendations were conveyed to all school principals. My Ministry takes a very serious view of any misconduct by teachers and pupils during sports competitions. In future, such misbehaviour will be dealt with severely and any teacher or pupil found guilty may be dismissed from service or expelled from school.

asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that there are delays in payments to school traffic wardens, and if he will look into the matter.

Mr Speaker, Sir, school traffic wardens are paid twice monthly and the majority of the claims for payment are sent to the Ministry by post on the 1st and 16th of each month. Payment is made to principals by cheques sent by post. Delays in payment largely arise from late submission of claims or mistakes in claims which have to be returned to the schools for rectification. There were some delays earlier in the year as a result of the transfer of responsibility to this Ministry from the Police, when new arrangements had to be made for submission and processing of claim forms. However, now that the system has been in operation for some months, delays are minimal. For instance, this month, as of the 10th, there were only 15 late submissions in respect of 151 claims for the second half of September 1969.

(In Mandarin): Sir, can the Minister ask his Ministry to prepare the salaries for school traffic wardens a month in advance?

I certainly will consider that suggestion from the Member.

asked the Minister for Communications (a) if consideration will be given to providing luggage storage facilities for transit passengers at the Paya Lebar International Airport; and (b) if he will look into ways and means to speed up the clearance of luggage at the arrival channels.

Mr Speaker, Sir, air passengers who remain inside the Transit Lounge of our Paya Lebar Airport do not require luggage storage facilities as their baggage would be transferred directly from one aircraft to another by the airlines concerned. However, for those transit passengers who go through the arrival formalities, there are two rooms in the Arrival Block to keep their baggage. If they do not wish to leave their baggage in these rooms, they will have to make separate arrangements with the airline offices concerned at the Airport. The baggage of arriving passengers is, at present, being handled by three different organisations. Our Department of Civil Aviation handles the baggage of seven airlines, K.L.M. handles two (including its own) and Malaysia-Singapore Airlines 14. As this arrangement is unsatisfactory, a study is afoot for the early formation of a separate company to handle the baggage of all arriving and departing passengers at Paya Lebar Airport. Our Department of Civil Aviation is also planning to install at least two more conveyor belts in the Arrival Block (making a total of four) in order to speed up the conveyance of baggage to the Customs examination area after they have been taken off the aircraft. The work will be carried out as soon as plans for certain modifications to the existing terminal building have been finalised. When completed, it will be possible for passengers to claim their own baggage from the conveyor belts, thus speeding up the movement of baggage at the arrival channels.

asked the Minister for Communications if he will consider the issuing of a more durable driving licence and including the date of first issue in it.

Our new driving licence is made of good quality paper (rag paper) which, if carefully handled, should easily last up to its renewal date, be it one year or three years' time, as the case may be. It has been suggested, however, that our driving licences could perhaps be plasticized, as in the case of our identity cards. I have given instructions for such a feasibility study to be made. One problem immediately presents itself. Should we decide to issue plastic-type driving licences, it will be necessary to do so at a central place whereas, at present, for the convenience of the public, we have already decentralised the renewal of driving licences whereby a person can renew his driving licence on the spot at any of 15 specified post offices. Another practical difficulty is that sometimes particulars in the driving licence have to be altered; for example, disqualification of the driver from driving a certain class of vehicle. With the plastic driving licence, it would be difficult to effect such an amendment on it. As regards the question of the inclusion of the date of first issue in the driving licence, there are certain practical difficulties which must be pointed out. The present driving licence is a composite one authorising its holder, if he has passed the relevant test, to drive a number of classes of vehicles such as motorcycle, motorcar, heavy motorcar, motor tractor, etc. The dates of authorisation for the driver to drive the various classes of vehicles are likely to be different and it is not possible to record these dates on the driving licence without having to produce an oversized driving licence. Should a person desire to know the date of original issue for personal reasons or for the purpose of providing prospective employers with references as to his driving experience, this information, if so required, may be obtained from the Registrar of Vehicles Department on payment of a nominal search fee of $2.

Rag paper, as its name implies, is not a good paper. However, is the Minister aware that even up till today some police constables do not recognise this new licence? Has the police force been informed of the change?

We are responsible for issuing the driving licences. Perhaps my colleague, the Minister for Defence, will follow up on what the Member for Mountbatten has said about the police force?

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am unaware that members of the police force do not recognise the new licence. Can the hon. Member mention any specific case?

asked the Minister for Communications if he will consider (a) taking steps to enforce more strictly and effectively the regulation that no taxi-driver can refuse a fare on the ground that the passenger's intended journey is too short; and (b) issuing more taxi licences in order to provide more employment opportunities and also to discourage taxi-drivers from refusing a passenger because of the shortness of the intended journey.

Mr Speaker, Sir, up to 1959, an Enforcement Section (comprising 51 inspectors) in the Registrar of Vehicles Department was responsible for carrying out enforcement duties in respect of recalcitrant taxi-drivers, etc. However, because of frequent allegations of corruption and high handedness against this Enforcement Section, it was dissolved in that year - ten years ago. Since then, the enforcement functions in respect of public service vehicles have been placed in the hands of the Traffic Police. At present, taxi-drivers who refuse fares on the ground that the passenger's intended journey is too short are suspended from driving for a specified period, ranging from one week to one month, and the Transport Advisory Board is currently looking into this problem with a view to finding more effective ways of dealing with such offenders. I am waiting for the recommendations of the Transport Advisory Board on the subject whether or not it is desirable to issue more taxi licences, and Government's decision will be made known at the appropriate time.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe the Enforcement Section was closed down in 1959 as a result of allegations against it. Is there a move by the Ministry to employ vehicle inspectors to see that taxi-drivers do not refuse a passenger's fare if he wants to go only a short distance?

I have already indicated in my answer that the Transport Advisory Board is looking into this problem. Whether or not it will recommend the reintroduction of this Enforcement Section should be left entirely to the Board.

asked the Minister for Social Affairs what measures will be taken to improve the standard of the national Badminton Team.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the role of the Sports Division of the Ministry of Social Affairs is to render whatever assistance that is needed by national sports bodies in promoting their particular sport. This includes assistance in obtaining coaches of repute, both locally and abroad, provision of supplementary funds and finding suitable venues for training. In February 1968, Mr Wong Peng Soon was employed by the Sports Division of my Ministry to train the most promising badminton players with a view to entering for the Thomas Cup Championship in 1969 and 1972. Although there was a request for an open trial to decide the final composition of the Thomas Cup Team, it was decided that since Mr Wong had been appointed full time specifically to train the most promising players for the Zone Finals in the Thomas Cup in 1969, and that he had been coaching the Thomas Cup Squad or the national Badminton Team for well over a year, the final composition of the team would best be left in his hands. I have no doubt that the experience gained from Singapore's participation in the last Thomas Cup matches in New Zealand will be put to good use.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Public Utilities Board (a) whether the Board has received any complaints by residents in Jalan Perisai, St. Joseph's Lane and Holy Innocents Lane of low water pressure in these areas; (b) whether any action has been taken to ascertain the causes; and (c) whether any remedial actions have been taken.

Mr Speaker, Sir, not even one complaint of low water pressure in Jalan Perisai or St. Joseph's Lane or Holy Innocents Lane has been received by the Public Utilities Board other than the representation made by the hon. Member on behalf of the residents in these areas. It has been ascertained that the water pressure in Jalan Perisai was and still is satisfactory. But the water pressure in St. Joseph's Lane and Holy Innocents Lane was low due to inadequate sub-mains and consumers' service pipes. Remedial action has been taken by the Public Utilities Board by extending the existing two and a quarter inch sub-main at St. Joseph's Lane by about 500 feet at a cost of $1,000, and by laying a new six-inch main about 1,625 feet long at a cost of $19,000 in Holy Innocents Lane. The water pressure in these areas is now satisfactory.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am surprised that the Minister's reply indicated that no complaint came from the residents in the three areas mentioned. Would he be interested to ascertain from the Board that such written complaints by the residents of Holy Innocents Lane were submitted to the relevant authorities, through me, as far back as last year?

Mr Ng, perhaps you did not hear the first part of the Minister's reply. Would the Minister like to repeat it?

Perhaps there is some misunderstanding here. I did say that complaints were received from the hon. Member made, of course, on behalf of the residents in the district. He represents them. Apparently he is doing good work! He has complained and the complaints have not been attended to. But my understanding of the matter is that no complaints were made direct by the residents to the Public Utilities Board. I do not think we need split hairs on this point.

Sir, it is true that the complaints were made through me. However, can the Minister enlighten the House whether there have been any complaints of low water pressure in areas other than the three mentioned by me?

Are you in a position to answer that question now, Mr Barker?

I am afraid I do not know of other complaints, Sir. The Public Utilities Board supplies water throughout the island, and not only to the outpost of Punggol. But if there are other low water pressure areas in Punggol, I hope the Member will bring them to the attention of the Public Utilities Board or to me. There are always low water pressure areas in Singapore due either to repairs of pipes or maintenance service of our filtration plants at Woodlands and Bukit Timah. But it is the practice of the Public Utilities Board to give notice of any repairs that are about to be undertaken.

Is the Minister aware that these complaints were not attended to immediately? Also, can he say when the complaints in the areas mentioned were submitted to the relevant authorities and when action was taken'?

Sir, I am afraid I cannot now supply the Member with details. But the point here is that the complaints had been attended to, and if the Member had wanted the work to be done more expeditiously, he could have taken the matter up direct with me.

asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether he will consider the payment of reasonable compensation when acquiring lands and houses.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, under the Land Acquisition Act, 1966, Government pays reasonable compensation to owners of lands and houses when their property is acquired. The principles for the determination of compensation are provided in section 33 of the Act. The Member may recall that the provisions of the Act were considered by a Select Committee. The Committee also considered representations from various quarters before the Bill was passed. Owners of lands and houses to be acquired are given reasonable and just compensation in accordance with the Act. Furthermore, under this Act, the owners concerned have the right to appeal if they are not satisfied with the compensation given to them. Moreover, under this Act, if a person has a temporary house or fruit trees in somebody else's land, he too would get compensation under the rehousing scheme.

(In Mandarin): Sir, the Parliamentary Secretary in his explanation mentioned the Land Acquisition Act, 1966. Of course, I dare not oppose that law. But the Government should give reasonable compensation. It acquires lands at a very low price but sells them at a high price. There is no provision in the Act prohibiting such practice of the Government. The Government does not take into consideration the present market price of lands. There is a great difference in the present market price of land as compared to that in 1961.

Order. Mr Lee, what is your supplementary question, please?

(In Mandarin): Sir, I wanted to say that the law on acquisition of lands should have provisions to the effect that the Government must not pay compensation at a low rate when the market price of the land is high. The rate should be dependent upon the prevailing market price of the land.

Mr Lee, you can question the Minister or the Parliamentary Secretary on the administration of the Land Acquisition Act. But I do not think you can question them on the provisions in the Act. The Parliamentary Secretary's answer was that compensation is based on the provisions in the Act. Is your supplementary question directed to bring about a change in the law or its administration?

(In Mandarin): Sir, what I meant was that the Government should compensate the landowners according to the prevailing market price of lands.

(In Mandarin): Sir, in my answer to the Member for Ulu Pandan, I mentioned that payment of compensation is based on section 33 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1966. If the Member has read section 33 (a), he will see that it is clearly stated that in acquisition, the market value is one of the factors to be taken into consideration in determining compensation. So how can he say that the Government disregards the market price?

(In Mandarin): Sir, I would like to give an example. In the North Bridge Road vicinity, I was told that compensation is paid at the rate of $8 per square foot. But the present market price is $112 per square foot. How can there be such a big difference? Perhaps the assessor was wrong in determining the compensation rate. I would also like to add that further consideration should be given to improve the Land Acquisition Act.

Sir, will the compensation given when Government acquires land be extended to tenants as well as sub-tenants of houses which are affected as a result of acquisition by Government?

Sir, compensation for acquisition is paid only to owners of lands and houses.

Sir, will the Ministry look into the possibility of extending compensation to tenants and sub-tenants as well, because they suffer just as much as, if not more than, the owners of the houses? Mr Ng Yeow Chong rose -

Order. Mr Ng, Mr Govindasamy's second supplementary question has yet to be answered, if it is intended to be answered.

When Government acquires a piece of land, only the landowner is compensated. But when the Government evicts the tenants on a piece of land, we have a compensation scheme to deal with the tenants and sub-tenants.

Sir, will the Land Office accept the valuation report by a licensed valuer or a recognised valuer if the owner presents such a report to support his claim?

Yes, we can consider the report submitted by a licensed valuer.

Sir, the question is: will the Land Office accept or just consider the report'?

The Land Office will consider whether to accept it or not.

asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the rate of charges payable by a person who makes use of the services and facilities provided by Government hospitals and outpatient clinics; and (b) whether he will consider waiving the charges payable by a person on the second or subsequent visit to a hospital or outpatient clinic for the change or removal of dressing which does not entail any consultation with the doctor.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the rates of charges for medical services provided in Government hospitals and outpatient clinics would be too long and complicated to detail. They are recorded in a printed pamphlet entitled The Scheme of Charges for Government Hospital Services (including Outpatient Services) 1969. This pamphlet may be purchased by any member of the public at $1 a copy, either from the Government Printer or from the Publications Bureau at Fullerton Building. A copy will be made available to the Member for his information if he so desires. Very briefly and without going into detail, the Scheme of Charges prescribes the charges for the various services, and, in certain cases, sets out the categories of persons eligible for exemption from charges for in-patient hospital services and for out-patient services. The hospital in-patient charges are of two categories, namely, ward charges and service charges. (i) These charges vary according to the type of patients (medical, surgical or psychiatric) and the class of ward into which he seeks admission. For medical and surgical patients, the daily ward charge is as follows: - Class A - $45 per day Class B - $20 per day Class C - A token charge of $1 per day. The charges for psychiatric patients are different, being $20 and $10 per day for A and B classes respectively. (ii) Service charges may be taken as charges for treatments, investigations and other services which are charged according to the type of service given. These services would be too long to describe here. The service charge for delivery in the maternity hospital, e.g., is $200 for A Class and $100 for B Class. (iii) Charges for outpatients are made on the basis of each attendance and vary according to the outpatient services provided. At the travelling dispensaries, the charge is 20 cents per attendance; at the outpatient dispensaries, it is 80 cents per attendance on week days and $1.50 per attendance on Sundays and public holidays. At the specialists clinics in the hospitals, the rate is $1.50 per attendance. The attendance charge in each case is an all-in charge. Replying to the second part of the question, I would say that the outpatient attendance charge, whether at specialist medical clinics, outpatient dispensaries or travelling dispensaries, is merely a nominal one. It does not come any way near the total cost of the services provided. It is only a consolidated charge for the various services provided, which include the professional attention of doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and others, the provision of medicines and the carrying out of investigations. Thus, it will not be possible to agree to a waiver of these nominal charges merely because the patient may not have seen the doctor when attending the dispensary to have his dressing changed. There are still costs for the services provided by the nurse and other incidental expenses which could be accounted for in the nominal charge levied.

Does the Minister consider the charges of 80 cents and $1.50 for the second and third visits respectively merely to remove a dressing justified?

Mr Speaker, Sir, may I repeat what I have just said. I said that the charge of 80 cents is, in fact, an attendance charge. Secondly, it is a nominal charge and it is, in fact, not possible to work out the cost of each attendance. As I have said earlier, this is a consolidated charge and we have to make a flat rate charge.

Sir, will the Minister at least consider the waiving of these charges for cases which are in receipt of public assistance from the Social Welfare Department?

Mr Speaker, Sir, the charges are normally waived in cases where the persons are receiving social welfare assistance, if an application is made.

The following Question stood in the name of Mr J. F. Conceicao - 15. To ask the Minister for Culture why non-profit making institutions have now to pay for advertisements on Radio and TV at full commercial rates.

Mr Conceicao.

Question No. 15.

Mr Speaker, Sir, by non-profit making institutions, I presume the Member for Katong is referring to Government departments, statutory boards, cultural organisations and charitable bodies. The Treasury has ruled that with effect from 1st August, 1969, all Government departments and statutory boards have to pay for advertising over radio and TV at rates currently applicable to all advertisers. Consequently, the Broadcasting Division decided that an anomalous situation will arise if cultural organisations and charitable bodies were not charged advertising fees. The rationale behind Treasury's ruling is that from the cost effectiveness point of view, it is essential that departments and statutory boards be able to show the results of its efforts in the true light of costs. This rationale is equally applicable to cultural organisations and statutory bodies. Government departments now pay for their advertising by journal adjustments. Statutory boards pay by cheque or cash along commercial lines. It is possible that certain cultural organisations and charitable bodies may not be financially capable of paying for radio and TV advertisements. Administratively, a procedure has to be evolved whereby such bodies with worthy objectives may apply to the Treasury for a grant for such advertising. In such cases, the merits of each effort can be scrutinised and evaluated.

The following Question stood in the name of Mr J. F. Conceicao - 16. To ask the Minister for Culture whether RTS will conduct a Television and Radio audience rating survey for various programmes.

Mr Conceicao.

Question No. 16.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer to the Member for Katong is "Yes". Indeed, Radio and T.V. Singapore is extremely keen to have such a survey. It is only on the basis of reliable findings from such a survey that programme planning and commercial policy can be founded. In this year's Estimates, a sum of $30,000 has been provided for such a survey. RTS, in planning for such a survey, has liaised closely with the Economic Research Centre of the University of Singapore and the Statistics Department of the Government. A paper has been prepared setting out proposals on the methods to be used in such a survey. This paper has been submitted to the Commission of Inquiry on Statistical Activities, and it is hoped that the findings of this Commission will support Broadcasting Division's appeal for adequate funds for such a survey.

Question No. 17.

The Minister can, if he likes, answer Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.

asked the Minister for Culture if he will state whether RTS Enterprises (Private) Limited is a limited company wholly owned by Government and whether this company also functions and does business as a travel agency.

asked the Minister for Culture if RTS has become a Travel Agency, and why.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in his question the Member for Katong is presumably referring to RTS Enterprises (Private) Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of RTS. RTS itself has not become a travel agency. RTS Enterprises (Private) Ltd. has a travel department which serves as a travel agency to Government and statutory bodies. The Member for Katong will appreciate that Government and statutory bodies have to incur a substantial amount for travel for their officers on duty overseas. If the passages for such travel were purchased by Government directly, the full price of the passage has to be paid. As all airlines give a commission to travel agents, the establishment of a travel department within RTS Enterprises (Private) Ltd, has enabled the Company to earn the commission payable to travel agents.

Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister for Culture enlighten the House on the difference in functions between RTS Enterprises (Private) Ltd, and RTS?

Mr Speaker, Sir, RTS, that is the Broadcasting Division, normally performs the duties of the Broadcasting Department. RTS Enterprises (Private) Ltd., which is a corporate body but one fully owned by Government, enters into the production of records, promotion of shows and also acts as a travel agency for the Government.

Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister for Culture give us the figures of the amount of savings effected by performing this function for Government and Government agencies?

Mr Speaker, Sir, I cannot give the exact amount, but in the case of the travel agency, since it began business in November 1968, it has earned up to 30th June, 1969, a commission of $15,612 from airlines.

3.25 p.m.

"to amend the Customs (Dumping and Subsidies) Ordinance, 1962 (No. 3 of 1962)", presented for the Minister for Finance by his Parliamentary Secretary (Mr Tang See Chim); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to enable effect to be given to certain amendments of the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund, and for purposes connected therewith", recommendation of President signified (Mr Barker); presented for the Minister for Finance by Mr Tang See Chim; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Judges' Remuneration Act, 1963, of Malaysia (No. 36 of 1963)", presented for the Minister for Finance by Mr Tang See Chim; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Finance Companies Act, 1967 (No. 43 of 1967)", presented for the Minister for Finance by Mr Tang See Chim; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Rubber Association of Singapore (Incorporation) Act, 1967 (No. 26 of 1967)", presented for the Minister for Finance by Mr Tang See Chim; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. 3.30 p.m. Committee of supply. Later --- 3.50 p.m.

"to amend the Income Tax Ordinance (Chapter 166 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified (Mr Barker); presented for the Minister for Finance by Mr Tang See Chim; read the first time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to establish a corporation to be known as the Singapore Light Dues Board and to repeal and re-enact with amendments the Light Dues Ordinance, 1957 (No. 6 of 1957)", presented by the Minister for Communications (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.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to introduce a Bill intituled "An Act to amend the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance. 1955 (No. 26 of 1955)." Bill read the First time

Second Reading, what day?

Now, Sir. Mr Speaker, Sir, I lay upon the Table a Certificate of Urgency signed by the President in respect of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill. Certificate of Urgency handed in.

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

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

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, this Bill seeks to amend the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance, 1955, which will lapse on the 20th October, 1969, by extending its life for a period of another five years with effect from 1st October, 1969. As hon. Members may be aware, this Ordinance provides primarily for the maintenance of public safety, peace and good order, prevention of strikes and lock-outs in essential services, and detention and supervision of persons associated with activities of a criminal nature. Since its introduction, this Ordinance has been of considerable value in curbing secret society activities and the number of secret society incidents has shown a downward trend as follows: - Number of secret Year society incidents 1959 416 1960 241 1961 211 1962 209 1963 144 1964 72 1965 70 1966 73 1967 74 1968 74 Mr Speaker, Sir, Members will appreciate that it is necessary to rehabilitate and re-educate secret society gangsters while they are under detention in order that when they return to society on their release, we hope they would become law-abiding and useful citizens. Rehabilitation takes time and varies with the individual. Some may respond quickly to the rehabilitation programme, while others need a longer period. Hon. Members are most probably aware that only the hard-core secret society members are put under detention orders. The others are placed under police supervision orders for a period of two years. This enables the less dangerous members of secret societies to earn their livelihood and, at the same time, enables the police to keep track of their movements outside their working hours in order to curb their anti-social activities. It may also interest Members to know that since the implementation of the Ordinance on 15th August, 1958, up to and including April 1969, 13,241 persons have been arrested under the provisions of section 55. Out of these, 762 persons are now detained under section 47 (a) and 642 persons are ordered to be placed under police supervision. Although the current situation with regard to secret societies in the Republic is under control, there is still a need for constant vigil to be kept. It is therefore essential that the suppression of secret societies in the Republic should go on relentlessly, especially in view of the possible involvement in racial disturbances. 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 Lim Kim San]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.

"to amend the Moneylenders Ordinance, 1959 (No. 58 of 1959)", presented for the Minister for Social Affairs by his Parliamentary Secretary (Mr Chan Chee Seng); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to provide for omissions, amendments and additions considered desirable by the Law Revision Commissioners in their preparation of a revised edition of Acts pursuant to the Revised Edition of the Laws Act, 1966 (No. 16 of 1966)", presented by the Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Housing and Development Ordinance, 1959 (No. 11 of 1959)", presented by Mr E. W. Barker; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Extradition Act, 1968 (No. 14 of 1968)", presented by Mr E. W. Barker; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to establish a Professional Engineers Board, make provision for the registration of professional engineers and for purposes connected therewith", presented by Mr E. W. Barker; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

3.30 p.m. Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [Allotted Day].

We are on the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970, contained in Paper Cmd. 24 of 1969. The summary is on the last page of the Paper. There are two heads of expenditure and amendments in respect of both heads stand on the Order Paper Supplement. Head 71 -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 71 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 302. Sir, it is interesting to note from Paper Cmd. 24 of 1969 that, 'In conjunction with the celebrations in commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Founding of Singapore, stereophonic broadcasts have been commenced in the Republic this year.' It would, therefore, mean to me, Sir, that there would have been no stereophonic broadcasts if Singapore had not celebrated its 150th anniversary. In fact, stereophonic music has been here for quite some time. I think it must have struck the ingenuity of someone in the Broadcasting Department that it was a novel idea to introduce such a service. It means buying a radio set or a transistor radio set with an FM stereophonic band in order to receive such broadcasts. Sir, I stress on the FM stereophonic band because I remember the FM station has already been in existence for quite some time. If a listener wishes to receive stereophonic broadcasts, he must buy a set that has this band, otherwise he will continue to receive music without stereophonic effects. Therefore, my conclusion is obvious. However, I shall be grateful to the Minister for Culture if he will inform the House whether any careful consideration was given in all respects before introducing such a service, and whether a survey has been made to establish the number of listeners tuning in to such a service. Furthermore, Sir, I would ask the Minister if a $10 token provision in the Development Estimates means the provision of a further sum of $50,000. If savings in the current Development Estimates can warrant increased expenditure, I would like to see more urgent items of expenditure, like the construction of abattoirs in the rural areas, treated with the same priority. I would also like to seek elucidation from the Minister regarding the actual source of savings amounting to $14,990. Did it come from the Development Estimates pertaining to his Ministry or otherwise? Sir, I beg to move.

Mr Speaker, Sir, since 1967 Radio Singapore has been operating four radio channels on frequency modulation, commonly known as FM. These channels were an addition to the four existing amplitude modulation, commonly called AM medium wave channel. The four channels were radiated without the device called the encoder to enable a receiving set with a decoder to receive such broadcasts in stereophonic sound. It was felt that the time had come for such FM broadcasts to be improved to the level where stereophonic sounds can be radiated. With regard to the point raised by the Member for Punggol in connection with the source of savings, the token provision of $10 in the Development Estimates for this year was made for the purchase of stereophonic equipment. A sum of $14,990 was found from savings from subhead 201, Improvements to Television and Broadcasting Services. The House is now asked for a supplementary provision of $50,000 to make a total of $65,000 needed. With regard to the other point, since stereophonic broadcasts started only in July this year, it is too soon to conduct a survey. An overall survey of listeners and their preferences is being planned and, when carried out, stereophonic broadcasts will certainly be included.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the Minister's reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $50,000 for Head 71 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970. Head 102 -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 102 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 205. Sir, the explanatory note to this subhead clearly stresses the need for more vehicles to meet the increasing demands of the public cleansing services. I would have thought that with assiduous planning, the need of more vehicles for the public cleansing services would have received high priority when the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign was mounted last year. In other words, there should have been forward planning to enable the Ministry of Health to meet immediate requirements. Hence I would be grateful if the Minister for Health could enlighten the House on the date when such vehicles were ordered, and also how many workers are manning them. I would have imagined that these vehicles would have already been purchased and are now on the road serving their purpose. Also I would like to suggest to the Minister to look into the possibility of introducing a cleansing service either at night or in the early hours of the morning, as there is less traffic during, those hours. Will the Minister also look into the possibility of increasing the frequency of clearing away rubbish and trade refuse from our bin centers? To illustrate, Sir, I notice that at two bin centers in my constituency, namely, at Punggol Road 8� m.s. and Upper Serangoon Road 6� m.s., the bins are cleared in the morning, but by evening they are full to the brim. Sir, I beg to move.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the first point that the Member for Punggol made is the need for more public health vehicles, and that this must be given high priority. I cannot agree with him, more. That is the very reason why we are here today debating these supplementary estimates. The refuse load at present handled by the public cleansing services is, approximately 1,200 tons per day. This is quite a marked increase compared with 800 tons per day formerly handled, by the Public Health Division. I am glad to say that this increase in refuse removal does indicate the success of the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign which was launched last year and is, continuing throughout this year as well. Although this result was welcomed, it was quite unexpected because in Government planning you do not normally expect a sudden jump from 800 tons, to 1,200 tons per day. You need additional equipment. As a result, there was, an urgent need for more refuse removal vehicles. The Member for Punggol also asked when these vehicles were ordered. They were ordered immediately after the Treasury approved their purchase. The other point which he made was, the request for greater frequency in the removal of refuse in Singapore. I do not know what he means by that. At the moment, we have daily removals, in other words, once every day. As a matter of fact, since the enforcement of the Employment Act, we have been able to introduce refuse removal on Sundays and public holidays as well, resulting in an increase in the number of removals per week. I do not know if the Member is advocating that we should increase the number of removals from once to twice or three times a day. To put him in proper perspective, may I bring to his attention the fact that in many big cities in Europe and America they remove their refuse only three times a week, or even once a week. Even in the big city of New York, they remove their refuse only three times a week. An hon. Member: Once a month!

May I assure the Member for Punggol that with the present provision, if it is approved by the House, the number of refuse vehicles will be quite adequate to meet the needs of the Public Cleansing Department.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I was only suggesting to the Minister to look into the possibility of a night or early morning removal service. I was not advocating that it be made more frequently. However, in view of the answers given by the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 3.45 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 102 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 901. In spite of the amount of $44,000 revoted for, a further sum of $37,460 is required for the construction of Taman Jurong Market I, and also another sum of $197,540 is required for the completion of Taman Jurong Market II. Sir, I am a bit confused here. Perhaps the Minister for Health can clear my confusion. Why are two markets being built in Taman Jurong? Approximately how many residents are there who will benefit from the construction of these two markets? Where are their exact locations? Is it really necessary to put up two markets in one area? How much revenue can be collected from them each year? Has the Government any plans to build one or more markets in other constituencies? An hon. Member: In Punggol!

Not Punggol. It has one market which is adequate for Punggol's purposes.

Mr Speaker, Sir, may I say that in the original planning for the provision of markets in the Jurong area, especially in the proposed town centre, it was considered that the provision of two small markets instead of one would render better and more effective service for the expected population. There is not only the need to tie them in with the phases of development in Jurong Town, but there is also the need to allocate markets within convenient distance for the residents of this new township which will be more extensive in area when it is fully developed. That indirectly answers the Member for Punggol's point when he asked whether there was any need for two markets. As the Member knows, Jurong is going to be a big satellite town. I do not think that even these two markets will be sufficient when Jurong is eventually fully developed. But at the moment we consider that the two markets are sufficient. Perhaps a few figures pertaining to the number of stalls and the number of stalls occupied will give him an idea whether the two markets are going to be fully used. In Taman Jurong Market I, the total number of stalls is 122; the number of stalls licensed and taken up, up to date, is 95 and the number of stalls vacant is 27. In the market itself there are a number of open pitches. These number 112. The number of pitches licensed and taken up, up to date, is about 103 and the number vacant is nine. This does indicate that the market is in reasonable use at the moment. But, of course, we cannot expect it to be fully occupied because this will depend on the occupation of the area by residents. In Taman Jurong Market II, the total number of stalls is about 122, and up to date the number of stalls licensed and taken up is 108. The number of vacant stalls is only 14. The total number of open pitches is 65, and the number taken up is 56. The number vacant is nine. With regard to his general question about whether the Government has any project to construct any more new markets in the future, this is a point of considerable interest to the Ministry of Health. In fact, the Ministry has always advocated that in the long-term plan, all hawkers should conduct their business from within premises. In a count made in December last year, there were 24,845 static hawkers in Singapore, of whom 15,135 were engaged in the sale of market produce. Only 7,711 hawkers of all types were accommodated within premises, such as markets and hawker centres. The remaining 17,000 hawkers were scattered all over the island, particularly in the urban areas - in streets, foot-ways and back-lanes. The resiting of hawkers into markets and other premises is a project of mammoth proportions, requiring careful planning and follow-through action by the planning and building authorities of the State. The location of appropriate markets and hawker centres must be considered in the light of the overall development planning for the island, and is not a matter within the sole capacity of the Ministry of Health. Substantial capital cost will also be required. The Ministry of Health proposes to take the matter up with the appropriate agencies and is presently compiling the necessary data.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am happy with the Minister's reply. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $1,077,000 for Head 102 ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970.

Question, "That the sum of $1,127,000 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970, contained in Paper Cmd. 24 of 1969", put, and agreed to. Resolution to be reported. Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported - That the sum of $1,127,000 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970, contained in Paper Cmd. 24 of 1969.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolution."

Question put, and agreed to. Resolution accordingly agreed to. 4.10 p.m.

Order. I propose to take the suspension now. I will take the Chair again at 4.30 p.m. Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.10 p.m, until 4.30 p.m. Sitting resumed at 4.30 p.m.

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time.". At the outset, I wish to relieve the anxiety of Members by saying that this Bill does not intend to increase the rates of stamp duty on the heels of the last revision in January this year. It deals with some amendments to the provisions of the existing Ordinance. Under the existing law, any change - however minor - to the rate of stamp duty can only be done by amending the Stamp Ordinance in Parliament. The experience of the last revision of stamp duties in December 1968 has proved this process to be cumbersome and unsatisfactory. Hon. Members will remember that the revision of the rates of stamp duty was announced by the Minister for Finance during his Budget Statement, but the revision could not be effected until January 1969, because of the need to amend the Stamp Ordinance. In the meantime, there was a rush to the Stamp Office as people tried to jump the gun by getting their documents stamped before the increased rates were effected. This resulted not only in a loss of revenue, but, also a congestion at the Stamp Office, which prompted an hon. Member to ask a question in Parliament. In view of this experience, it is now proposed to add a new section to the Ordinance to enable the Minister to impose new duties or to revise the rates of existing ones by an Order to be published in the Gazette. This amendment will bring the Ordinance in line with the other revenue Ordinances, such as the Customs Ordinance. Hon. Members will remember that in my answer to the question on the congestion at the Stamp Office, I said that the Government was looking into the question of allowing more documents to be stamped by franking machines so as to relieve the pressure at the counter of the Stamp Office. I am happy to say that the Government has now decided to allow insurance policies and contract notes to be stamped by postal franking machines. Clause 2 of the Bill seeks to effect this. At the same time, power will be given to the Minister to extend the number of instruments on which duty may be paid by franking machines. As the fee for a Certificate to Practise for an advocate and solicitor has been specifically provided in the Legal Profession Act, this duty will be removed from the Stamp Ordinance. This is stated in clause 14 (b) of the Bill. The Bill also seeks to clarify the position of stamp duty in relation to receipts, letters of guarantee, payment of stamp duties on shares, by removing the ambiguities. The other minor amendments include deletion of rates from the main body of the Ordinance, renumbering of various articles, and consequential changes to the Schedules of the Ordinance. 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 Tang See Chim]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.

Order for Second Reading read. 4.38 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The main purpose of the Bill as found in the Explanatory Statement is to incorporate the National Sports Promotion Board. The Government has considered that the time has come for sports to be organised and co-ordinated in a more efficient way than hitherto if it is to fulfil its primary role of not only creating a physically rugged population but also promoting national consciousness and identity in our multi-racial nation. Over the past ten years since the present Government came to power, recognising the importance of sports and games as a unifying factor of our nation made up of diverse races of immigrant stock, Government has actively encouraged sports and games as part of the activities of the network of community centres spread throughout the island and of the extra-mural activities of the half-million school-going population. Other steps taken to promote sports and games have been the introduction since 1964 of the annual Pesta Sukan when sporting teams from neighbouring countries are invited to participate in the games around National Day Week; the assistance given to the participation of the Singapore contingent in international sports events such as the SEAP Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games and the Olympic Games; and in March this year the launching of the National Fitness Exercise so as to spread sports consciousness and physical well-being to a greater section of our population. In the active encouragement of sports and games, Government has not overlooked the need for increased facilities to be set up where sports and games can be carried out. Besides the Extracurricular Activity Centre built by the Ministry of Education and the numerous school halls and fields to cater for sports and games amongst the school children, Government, realising that since a large percentage of our urban population are residing in Housing and Development Board flats, has found that it would be logical for sports fields, swimming pools and other facilities to be sited in the housing estates themselves. Plans have therefore been made by the Housing and Development Board to construct sports stadiums and swimming pools in its large housing estates of Queenstown and Toa Payoh Housing Estate as well as its other large housing estates. But the main centre of facilities for sports and games which Government will be providing for our population is the National Sports Complex at Kallang which, besides the main open stadium to be completed in early 1972, will also have a covered stadium for indoor games and swimming pools and tennis courts to cater for all the major games in international meets. In spite of the active support for sports and games by Government and the setting up of the Sports Division of the Ministry of Social Affair in 1966 to provide assistance for voluntary sports organisations by way of getting foreign expert coaches and fund-raising, it has been found that the activities carried out by the voluntary sports bodies had been greatly handicapped by the lack of adequate finance and proper executive functionaries. It has also been found that the co-ordinating bodies of the voluntary sports organisations, such as the Singapore Olympic Sports Council, the Singapore Sports Council and the Sports Division of the Ministry of Social Affairs, have ill-defined functions which overlap in many ways and therefore have not provided the direction and impetus for the planned growth of sports in Singapore. In order that the voluntary sports bodies and other organisations concerned with sports could better achieve the aims for which sports and games are to be promoted in the Republic, Government has seen fit that a statutory body whose primary function would be the promotion of sports should be set up. In order that this statutory body should be an effective one, it is intended that membership of the Board would consist of persons who have been generally accepted in the sporting world for their proven interest and knowledge of sports, and also of representatives of the Ministry of Education, the People's Association, and the Armed Forces, since all these institutions are actively involved in sports promotion in their respective organisations, and therefore can make significant contributions to meet the objectives of the Board. The number of members on the Board is provided in clause 4 of the Bill. The functions of the Board are spelt out in clause 5 of the Bill. They are: (a) to encourage, develop and promote sports for competitive and recreational purposes; (b) to co-ordinate the activities of voluntary sports organisations; (c) to organise, in consultation with national sports organisations, including the National Olympic Committee, international competitions and games; (d) to foster research and study in sports, physical education and the training of instructors; (e) to manage and maintain facilities and sports stadiums. Provision is also made in clause 5 of the Bill for the Board to receive donations and contributions, to raise funds and to make grants and contributions to any person or sports organisation on such conditions as are stipulated by the Board. The Board is also empowered to prescribe minimum standards for participating in international sports competitions and games, and other terms and requirements for the purpose of receiving aid from the Board, and to promote schemes for the improvement of sports and recreational facilities. In order that the Board should have sufficient funds for its activities, clause 6 of the Bill provides for the setting up of a National Sports Promotion Fund, which will consist of grants or loans made by Government, donations or contributions by the public, and monies accruing to the Board. To prevent monies donated, contributed or accruing to the Board from being used for other purposes, clause 7 of the Bill requires that monies of the Board shall be applied solely for making payments in connection with the performance of the Board's functions. Provision is also made in clause 11 of the Bill for the Board to employ staff and for it to set up pension schemes, gratuities or provident fund schemes for its employees. To encourage public donations and contributions to the Board, provision is made in clause 16 for the National Sports Promotion Board to be an institution of a public character so that gifts to the Board shall be exempted from income tax. It is hoped that by setting up the National Sports Promotion Board, there will be an organisation in the Republic made up of persons actively concerned with the promotion of sports and games in the various institutions and of individuals who are knowledgeable and have proven their interest in sports. It is also hoped that with the setting up of the Board, the overlapping functions of the various co-ordinating bodies in sports as found at present in Singapore will be resolved. This will be done by the modification of the objects of the Singapore Olympic Sports Council to be renamed as the Singapore Olympic Committee and concerned only with the participation of Singapore at international games, such as the SEAP Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games and the Olympic Games, and the abolition of the Singapore Sports Council, an ad hoc Government Sports Council set up by the Ministry of Social Affairs, and also the absorption of the functions of the Sports Division by the Board. May I conclude by saying that whilst sports must have the active recognition and encouragement of the Government, it should not be directly controlled and run by the Government and be just another portfolio of a Government Ministry or Department. The interest in sports, participation in it and support for it must come from the people and the private sector to a large extent. It is with this in view that the proposed National Sports Promotion Board, in motivation, organisation, objective and activity, is structured to perform. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. 4.49 p.m.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, I fully support this Bill. Undoubtedly it has very grand objectives. When it is implemented, I believe it will have a very decisive effect on the promotion of sports in our country and on the raising of our standard in sports. Sir, the purpose of this Bill, as the Minister has already described, is to set up the National Sports Promotion Board. Its tasks can be said to be quite comprehensive, with such functions as to encourage, develop and promote sports on a national basis for both competitive and recreational purposes; to co-ordinate the activities of voluntary sports organisations; to organise, in consultation with national sports organisations, including the National Olympic Committee, national and international competitions and games; and to foster research and study in sports and physical education and to provide for the training of instructors.

4.51 p.m. All these functions will ensure that this Board plays an important part in the promotion of sports in our country. Because of the various important tasks entrusted to the Board, it will have very great responsibilities, such as co-ordinating the various sports organisations and raising the standard of the various sports and popularising them. In carrying out these responsibilities, there are questions to look into and matters to be taken care of. In working to achieve the objectives envisaged in the Bill, the National Sports Promotion Board will, I am confident, do its best to live up to its expectations. Sir, I believe you will agree with me that in promoting sports, there are three main objectives which should be well recognised. They are: (1) To train our people to have healthy and strong bodies so that our country will be able to shoulder the heavy task of nation building. (2) Through the various sports tournaments and competitions, the people will be able to enjoy some recreational activity. (3) To raise the competitive standard of the various kinds of sports, our national teams should be sent abroad to take part in regional as well as international tournaments in order to gain honour as well as publicity for our country. So these are very grand objectives and high ideals in the promotion of sports. Let us now examine the progress of sports over the past few years. Undoubtedly through the efforts of the Ministry of Social Affairs and with the help of various sports circles, we have had great achievements in many fields of sports, such as basketball, badminton, football, table tennis, swimming, and weightlifting. They are now flourishing. Now and then we see many youngsters training or taking part in tournaments either in school grounds or in community centres. These activities were never seen before. Although we are a small country, our standard of sports is not far below that of other countries. We can be said to be comparable to them. This has been proved in the results we achieved at the last Asian Games and the SEAP Games. But we should also recognise that in certain kinds of sports we have not done as well as before. For instance, our basketball team brought back a "big zero" in the last international competition. Our badminton standard has dropped even further. A few years ago we claimed to be the champions of the world in badminton, but just about a month ago we unexpectedly lost to an unknown national team from New Zealand. Is this not a pity? How did this come about? We must examine the reasons for this dropping of standard and take remedial measures. In order to promote sports, particularly to raise the standard of our national teams, I would like to make four suggestions for the Minister's consideration. (1) To engage international coaches of repute. (2) All national team members should be given certain safeguards in respect of their employment, so that they can have peace of mind while taking part in sports. (3) Once a year there should be a definite programme for centralised group training. This will help the team members to attain all-round improvement, in addition to improvement in their physique, their spirit and their standards. And while they are taking part in group training, they should continue to draw their salaries if they are employed. (4) We should inculcate into them the spirit of patriotism in order to win honour for our country. The implementation of all these measures needs a lot of money. But the Minister has pointed out that there is provision for the setting up of the National Sports Promotion Fund to receive donations from various sources, such as commercial organisations and individuals, to meet expenses. These donations will be tax free. I believe this is a good measure, and with the setting up of this Fund, we will be able to have more funds to carry out our sports activities. Here I would like to appeal to sports enthusiasts, particularly those who are rich, to donate generously to help promote sport. Sir, I support this Bill. 4.59 p.m.

(In Mandarin): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I take part in sports activities, and therefore I am concerned with all matters connected with sports. I fully support this Bill. In order to meet our future economic challenge, our people will undoubtedly have to have strong physiques and better endurance. A strong and healthy physique can only be acquired through sports. At the same time, through sports, we will also acquire a strong national consciousness and also we can, indirectly, fulfil the aim of achieving racial harmony. As the Minister has said, the introduction of this Bill is to provide for the planning and promotion of national sports activities and to do away with whatever duplication there has been in this field. The result is that all sports activities will be planned, co-ordinated and controlled by a centralised body consisting of representatives of the Singapore National Olympic Committee, the Sports Division of the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Armed Forces, the police and the People's Association. In this way, it is hoped to promote sports activities and raise the standard of sports in this country. These are lofty and praiseworthy aims. Mr Deputy Speaker, in order to raise the standard of our sports and to achieve greater prestige for our country, the following points should not be overlooked. During the past two or three years, the various sports organisations as well as the Singapore Sports Council have done their very best to obtain the services of expert coaches for the more popular sports activities in Singapore. These organisations have also tried their very best to look out for talent and potential sportsmen so that under a proper system of training they will be nurtured and developed into State players. These are praiseworthy efforts. However, some doubts have been expressed in this regard. They have given rise to the question whether we are able to obtain the sympathy and support of other countries in supplying the first-class coaches that we require. If the answer to this question is in the negative, the next question will arise. Are we prepared to accept second- and third-class coaches to train fourth- and fifth-class players? Perhaps the Minister will give some consideration to a more economical approach to this problem and plan an extensive programme to train our players and thus obtain the instruction by cheaper means. One of the ways is to get a plentiful supply of films showing how first-class coaches train sportsmen in order to reach international standards. By showing these films to our trainees, we will be able indirectly to train our own people, short of getting expert coaches from abroad. Our trainees will be able to learn from watching these films; how they should train and what are the points they should bear in mind when they are in training. The second point I wish to raise is the extension of the age limit for sports training. At the present moment, most of the sports activities are confined to our school-going population. In order to raise our sports standard, we must not only popularise sports activities among students, but also extend them outside the schools. This work must be done by the various sports organisations in conjunction with the commercial and industrial sectors. These sectors should also be encouraged to make a contribution to sports. In other words, Mr Deputy Speaker, it is our hope that they will at least shoulder some responsibility by taking in sportsmen who have graduated from schools and other institutions of higher learning. They should also allow such people to continue with their sports activities when they are working. In this way, their skill and standard will be maintained. There are people who have to give up sports activities because of their employment. We have lost a large reservoir of talent because of the hard economic facts of life. When sportsmen leave school and happen to be employed in a very small company which is not prepared to allow them to take time off for training, or does not provide any facility or encouragement for them to carry on their sports activities, the loss of such talent to sport will be complete. In order to earn their living, these sportsmen will have to accept the hard economic facts of life at the expense of their sports activities and the talent that they have developed. Thirdly, I wish to stress that the present training facilities for sportsmen are more or less of a spontaneous and voluntary nature. We must have a centralised body, such as a sports college, to shoulder the responsibility of training our sportsmen. In this way, we will have better hopes of our sportsmen achieving higher standards. Furthermore, the establishment of a sports college will provide employment opportunities for those who are active in sports. In other words, those who are good in sports activities will be able to find employment in the sports college and they, in turn, will have the responsibility of training other sportsmen. Fourthly, as the Member for Sembawang has just said, State players should receive the attention of the State. Perhaps the Minister's answer to this question will be that, as the State is faced with its economic problems, it does not have the capacity or the ability to look after our sportsmen in terms of finance. But it is my view that since our Armed Forces and our Police Force have the means and the ability to maintain brass bands, which consist of more people and cost much more money than, for example, a normal basketball team, how is it that we find ourselves unable to maintain a team of State players? Of course, it is not my proposal to ask the State to feed the players. My proposal is that the Government should do all it can to absorb these sportsmen into the various Government departments so that while in employment they will also have the time to continue with . their sports activities. Thus, in both ways they serve the country. Finally, if the Minister will bear all these points in mind, he will surely find some solution to the problems raised. It is my belief that just as we have been able to raise our standard of health and hygiene, we should be able to raise our standard of sports. In view of the compactness of our island Republic, I sincerely believe that we will be able to achieve our aims. Let me reiterate my full support of this Bill.

I have just a brief comment to make on this Bill which is now before the House for its Second Reading. The Minister has mentioned that he will co-opt people from various organisations, such as the army, the police, the Ministry of Education and the People's Association, to serve on the National Sports Promotion Board. It appears to me that colleges and universities have been omitted. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, you are well aware that in advanced countries college and university students play a very prominent part in sports activities. In fact, most of the outstanding sportsmen have come from colleges and universities. In this respect, I would urge the Minister for Social Affairs not to overlook appointing representatives from our colleges and universities. This will at least enable our college and university students to participate actively in the promotion of sports. Sir, you will agree with me that our younger generation must not only be intelligent but they must also be rugged and robust. It is, therefore, important that our college and university students must excel in all forms of sports and, in time to come, they will become outstanding sportsmen and be able to make a name for the Republic of Singapore in the world of sports. I support this Bill.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support this Bill. However, I hope and I wish that the National Sports Promotion Board will never finance sports and recreation clubs, associations or bodies which are organised exclusively on a racial basis; nor should the players, members and officials of such organisations be allowed to represent the Republic at the expense of the Board; nor should the officials of such organisations ever he appointed to the Board by the Minister. I hope he can give this assurance.

5.l5 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I have nothing much to say except to thank Members for their support of the Bill, particularly the Member for Sembawang who has been repeating some of the points I have made in my speech. I will consider all the points that he has raised when the Bill is considered by the Select Committee. On the first point raised by the Member for Paya Lebar, whether there is any possibility of our getting first-class coaches from abroad to train our sportsmen and, if it is not possible, whether it would be possible for us to have some training films from abroad, I think this is not a difficult matter. We can look into that. On the question of sports training to be extended not only to the school-going population but also to persons outside our schools, if I am not mistaken, the Pioneer Industries Union have a sports division. Many of our industries in Jurong as well as business houses all over Singapore have got their own sports teams On the question of State players being maintained by the State, I would like to inform the Member that there are quite a number of unemployed sportsmen and sportswomen who have been absorbed into some Government departments as well as business houses through the help of the Sports Division of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The Member for Mountbatten has raised the point that members of the proposed Board do not include representatives from the colleges and universities in Singapore. He says that most of our sportsmen come from the universities and colleges. But, in fact, I am very sad to say that although this is true in other countries, it is not so in Singapore. Very few sportsmen and sportswomen come from the universities. Nevertheless, I will consider his proposal. On the point raised by the Member for Kallang, he has my assurance that whatever help is given by the National Sports Promotion Board will not be on a racial basis.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Resolved, "That the Bill be committed to a Select Committee consisting of the Speaker as Chairman and the following Members: Inche A. Rahim Bin Ishak, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Chan Chee Seng, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs, Dr Lee Chiaw Meng, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, Inche Othman Bin Wok, Minister for Social Affairs, Mr Phua Bah Lee, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications, Mr L. P. Rodrigo, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr P. Selvadurai, Member for Bukit Panjang, and Mr Sim Boon Woo, Member for Changi."-[Inche Othman Wok].

Order for Third Reading read. 5.25 p.m.

Before I call upon the Minister, I draw attention to an oversight in the Bill as amended by the Select Committee. This error has to be corrected. It is in clause 6, which appears in page 7 of the Report of Select Committee. In line 21, "three" should, in fact, read "four". This is a change that makes no material difference and it will be done.

I am much obliged. Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Members of the House will recall that this Bill was referred to Select Committee on the 22nd of May, 1968. The Bill, which is novel in concept and potentially far-reaching in its social and economic impact, has aroused a considerable amount of interest and it has been a subject of much well-informed comment. This interest is evident from the number of representations that were made to Select Committee. In all, thirteen written representations were received and the Committee heard oral evidence from ten of the representors. Representations came not only from landlords, tenants and developers but also from interested professional and business associations, such as the Singapore Advocates and Solicitors Society, the Singapore Real Estate Valuers Association, the Singapore Planning and Urban Research Group and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. Apart from the representations of the Singapore Advocates and Solicitors Society, which confined itself to the technical legal aspects of the Bill, almost all the representations were concerned either with the scope of the legislation or with the compensation formula that is proposed in the Bill. There was much difference of opinion in the representations on both these aspects of the Bill. Despite this, or maybe because of it, almost all the representations had something of value to contribute and gave the Select Committee much food for thought. In the result, as Members may observe from the Report, many of the suggestions and proposals in the representations have been adopted and are written into the Bill, and undoubtedly have improved it . Although the Bill as tabled does not provide the perfect solution to some of the problems raised, and although it may in regard to the compensation formula lack the sort of legal precision to which legislators would aspire, I would suggest it does provide a satisfactory framework in which the policy of the Bill may be carried out and under which the interests of landlords and tenants affected by the Bill will be adequately protected. The Committee's Report was presented on the 13th of June, 1969, as Paper Parl. 3 of 1969. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill as now tabled before the House incorporates the recommendations of the Select Committee. Members will observe from the Report that fairly detailed statements are given therein explaining the reasons for accepting all the major amendments. I need not burden the House by repeating them. It may, however, be of interest to Members if I refer to a basic provision in the Bill upon which representations were made to the Select Committee and which the Committee were unable to accept. I refer to clause 3 dealing with the application of the Bill. Certain representations, particularly those from developers, proposed that the whole of Singapore should be designated as a development area or, alternatively, that any landlord may make an application for the area in which his controlled premises are situated to be declared a development area. It is not difficult to see that the effect of accepting either of these proposals would be that the Tenants' Compensation Board would be flooded with applications for possession of premises and the whole of the provisions of the Control of Rent Ordinance would be nullified, for all controlled premises in Singapore would potentially be liable to decontrol. This was not the purpose of Government in introducing this legislation. On the contrary, if Government had decided that it was time to nullify the effect of the Control of Rent Ordinance, it would not have adopted this backdoor method of doing so. It was precisely because Government considered that the time was not as yet opportune for an outright repeal of this Ordinance that it was considered that, in the general context of Government's policy to promote development in the private sector, the approach in this Bill of a limited and phased form of de-control with payment of compensation to dispossessed tenants was adopted. If and when the time comes for the repeal of this Ordinance, it would by no means follow that compensation would be paid to tenants who would be obliged to leave their premises because they could not pay the resulting increases in rent. The reason being that if Government decided to repeal that Ordinance, it would be because the economic and housing situation as it affected protected tenants would be such as to persuade Government that no further control over rents was necessary. In other words, this category of persons would then be able to pay an economic rent or obtain suitable alternative accommodation. By and large, the Control of Rent Ordinance confers protection upon the poorer sections of the community, and although Government is fully aware of the price that has to be paid for this protection in terms of unsightly buildings and slum tenements and the discrimination against one section of the community at the expense of another, which is inherent in the present system, Government considers that we have not yet reached the stage when this protection can be thrown overboard. The repeal of this Ordinance would have the effect of rendering homeless thousands of persons in Singapore and, though much has been done to provide low-cost housing for these poorer sections of the community, we are not as yet in a position to rehouse all the persons that would be affected. However, everyone is aware of Government's policy to encourage home ownership, and there is no doubt that the time will come when this Ordinance may be safely repealed - at first in part and then as a whole. I can assure the House that Government is, in fact, giving very serious and careful consideration to the question of decontrol;-perhaps commercial or business premises could be decontrolled in about five to seven years' time and residential premises in 10 to 12 years' time, but there will be complications where premises are used for mixed purposes unless a just solution is found or some equitable formula arrived at. For the moment, it is Government's intention to advance slowly and in an orderly manner in this respect. Sir, I beg to move.

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

Order for Second Reading read. 5.33 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Hon. Members of this House will recall that in November 1964, this House passed the Cattle Bill which subsequently became the Cattle Ordinance, 1964 (No. 15 of 1964). The Cattle Ordinance has since proven to be an extremely effective legal instrument in attaining our objective of raising our environmental standards. Today, cows and buffaloes roaming unchecked on our arterial roads, traffic circuses and rampaging private property are conspicuous by their absence. All cattle sheds are now licensed and are situated in well-defined and demarcated "non-restricted" areas. These measures have in turn solved all the outstanding problems caused by stray cattle in respect of health and traffic control. The cattle nuisance has, once and for all, been dealt with by the Ministry of Health armed with an effective piece of legislation. However, with the rapid and intensive urbanisation and physical development that are taking place around us today in Singapore, other sub-standard environmental health conditions in certain slum and squatter areas have now been brought into focus. The unfavourable environmental health conditions in such areas are intensified by the rearing of domestic animals, the most outstanding of which is the rearing of pigs, or what are legally termed "swine". These animals are often to be found being reared in pockets of slum areas in insanitary pig-sties and these pigs are allowed to stray and roam at will. These animals defecate all over the place and create appalling insanitary conditions in the areas and their surroundings. To make matters worse, such places are usually situated just adjacent to newly-developed housing estates, both public as well as private, and even in the immediate vicinity of the precinct of our Paya Lebar International Airport. The roaming about of these animals from their insanitary pig-sties into the more developed and hygienic environment of the neighbouring areas has in the past brought numerous cries of protest and complaints from the public. It is now time for us to introduce more effective legislation in order that the rearing of these pigs is controlled so that the nuisances caused by them are eliminated, just as it was in the case of the cattle nuisance. The present law governing the rearing of pigs, which is in the form of by-laws, was made under the repealed Municipal Ordinance, as is the case of most of our old laws. The concepts embodied in this law are now outdated and have been overtaken by events around us. I therefore propose to deal with this outstanding environmental health problem of insanitary piggeries and the roaming of pigs in a similar fashion as in the case of cattle. This, in short, is the purpose of this Cattle (Amendment) Bill. The Bill is not aimed at any specific group of people, nor is it intended to cause hardship to any one. Let me make it clear that it is certainly not the purpose of the Bill to prohibit the rearing of pigs. Indeed, it seeks to ensure that farmers breed pigs in well-defined areas and in as sanitary a manner as it is possible to do and without creating environmental health hazards, as well as being a nuisance to the public. Specifically, the Bill seeks to extend the existing definition of "cattle" in the Cattle Ordinance by including swine as well. This will enable the authorities to apprehend the stray pigs that are a public nuisance and turn them over to the slaughter-house to be turned into meat for distribution among our charitable homes in Singapore. In order to institute effective enforcement action when necessary, a new section 5A is enacted to empower the Commissioner of Public Health to delegate his powers to any public officer and, with the approval of the Minister, to any officer of any statutory board to deal with the problem. Certain consequential changes are also made in the definition of "officers" so as to bring the Cattle Ordinance in line with the Environmental Public Health Act, 1968 (No. 32 of 1968). There are also amendments of a purely formal nature such as "the Legislative Assembly" to "Parliament" and "the State" to "Singapore" and so on. Mr Speaker, 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 Chua Sian Chin]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. 5.43 p.m.

Resolved, "That at its rising this day Parliament do stand adjourned to a date to be fixed."-[Mr Barker].

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

Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to speak on the matter of artificial aids for persons who are unfortunate enough to suffer the loss of any portion of their limbs through accident or otherwise, and who are not fortunate enough to be able to purchase such aids which are necessary for them to earn their livelihood. Any accident resulting in the injury to and eventual loss of a limb is a tragedy for any person. The tragedy, however, is greater where the person concerned belongs to the under-privileged class of manual workers whose very limbs are the means of supporting themselves and their families. I may safely say that it is not only a tragedy but also a calamity for a worker to have an accident to his limbs, because of his low level of wages and because of his invariably having little or no savings at all. Added to the physical agony and pain of his injuries, he has to suffer a great deal of mental agony and anxiety regarding his own future and the future of his wife, children, aged parents perhaps, and other dependants. His worries and fears about the future are very real and substantial, particularly if he is the sole bread-winner. Apart from the productive use of his God-given limbs, he has no other means or savings to depend upon for his livelihood. The plight of such an unfortunate victim deserves not only compassion and sympathy but also whatever help that can be given to enable him to face the future with a certain amount of hope and confidence . Mr Speaker, Sir, in bringing up this matter of artificial aids for persons with amputated limbs, I am prompted by the need to rationalise the basis for determining the type of artificial aids to be supplied and the amount of charges to be levied, if the aids are so supplied. As an illustration, I refer to the case of a Public Works Department labourer who was admitted to hospital in February this year for diabetic gangrene of the left foot, resulting in his left leg being amputated below the knee. The hospital decided to fit him with a pylon or a wooden peg, and not with an artificial limb. The reason for this decision seemed to be on the following ground: as a Government employee, he would be fitted with a wooden peg free of charge, but if he wanted to have an artificial limb fitted, he would have to pay the full cost of the artificial limb. In terms of money, it means that he would have to find $250 to pay for the cost of such an artificial limb, which is made locally. Knowing the financial position of this P.W.D. labourer, I need not elaborate on his difficulty in finding this sum of money. Hon. Members in this House may want to know what is the difference between an artificial limb and a wooden peg. An artificial limb has certain advantages over a wooden peg, namely, a patient fitted with an artificial limb will look in appearance very much like a normal person with natural limbs, and after some time he will be able to move about quite easily. But a patient fitted with a wooden peg is likely to feel dejected perpetually because of its unnatural appearance and will, in addition, find greater difficulty in moving about. An artificial limb is certainly far more superior to a wooden peg in terms of function and appearance. A patient by reason of his being poor is not likely to be given a chance to be fitted with an artificial limb, simply because there is in existence at present a puzzling hospital regulation. The paradox of the whole situation is that if his condition requires him to have a wheel-chair, he is entitled, as a Government employee, to be supplied with one free of charge. I am sure hon. Members will agree with me that it is extremely paradoxical that, as a Government servant, while he is entitled to a free wooden peg which costs about $100, and a wheel-chair which has to be imported from the United Kingdom at a cost of $300, he is not entitled to an artificial limb which is made locally and which costs $250. The reason for such a paradox is that there is a hospital regulation which classifies artificial limbs under the heading "Prosthesis", and wooden pegs and wheel-chairs under the heading "Appliances". According to this regulation or stipulation, items such as artificial limbs under the heading "Prosthesis" can only be supplied to a third-class patient if he pays the full cost of such items, irrespective of whether or not he is a Government employee. But such items as wooden pegs or wheel-chairs under the heading "Appliances" can be supplied to a third-class patient free of charge if he is a Government employee, and at a concessionary rate of 20 per cent of the actual cost if he is not a Government employee. It is very difficult to follow the logic behind such a stipulation. To a layman particularly, artificial limbs, wooden pegs, or wheel-chairs, prosthesis or appliances all mean one thing, i.e., artificial aids for a patient who has had his limbs amputated. To split hairs by classifying one item under the heading "Prosthesis" and other items under the heading "Appliances" might be convenient for the purpose of administration, but certainly in this instance it is not to the advantage and interest of a third-class patient who has had his limbs amputated. This absurd stipulation deprives a poor patient of a chance to be fitted with an artificial limb which, as I said earlier, is far more superior to any other artificial aids in terms of function and appearance, simply because he cannot find the money to pay the full cost of an artificial limb that the hospital wants to charge him. Mr Speaker, Sir, I hope you will allow me at this juncture to mention in passing that, with regard to this P.W.D. labourer whose case I have just mentioned, the National Trades Union Congress decided to pay for the cost of an artificial limb to enable him to be fitted with one instead of with a wooden peg. The decision of the N.T.U.C. is only a symbolic gesture to ring out the cry of distress of this labourer and all those who happen to suffer the same misfortune. However, this must not be taken to mean that the N.T.U.C. has now been turned into a philanthropic organisation. It just does not have the financial resources to dole out assistance to all those who need help and charity -

What about the hospitals?

- especially at a time when it needs all its own resources to strengthen the Singapore trade union movement. The responsibility of giving all possible care and assistance to the unfortunate must rest largely upon the State that has all the national resources at its command, and not on an organisation like the N.T.U.C. I am sure hon. Members in this House will agree with me that requiring third-class patients, who are no more than humble and poor workers, to pay the full cost of artificial limbs, if they wish to have these fitted in place of their natural limbs that have been amputated, is both harsh and unnecessary. Fate has been cruel enough to them and, in addition to their agony and the pain of injury, they have grave worries and nightmares about their own future and the future of their loved ones and dependants. Their plight and distress are often shared and felt by well-meaning people who have shown and expressed their compassion and sympathy by making generous donations to assist them to meet the future with a certain amount of courage and confidence. Dedicated doctors and nurses have also done their bit by providing them with the best medical treatment and attention possible. Let there be no hospital rule or regulation that is harsher than is necessary. Laws and rules are made to serve mankind, not to enslave them. I ask the Minister for Health to give his urgent attention and sympathetic consideration to my proposal to rationalise the various hospital stipulations governing the supply of artificial aids to orthopaedic patients, and to take steps to supply artificial limbs on the same basis as wooden pegs and wheelchairs are supplied to patients in third-class wards, whose limbs have to be amputated as a result of an accident or events beyond their control.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I sympathise with the Member for Moulmein when he makes a request for the supply of artificial limbs. This is a matter of aftercare, because if a worker meets with an accident and has to have one arm or leg amputated, he will have to fit himself with an artificial limb in order to carry on his daily activities so as to look after the livelihood of his family. This brings me to the subject of better methods of safety in industrial firms. There have been serious cases recently of industrial accidents. According to the statistics of the Ministry of Labour for 1968, there was a total of 8,147 cases, of which 109 were fatal. A total of 195 persons have become permanently disabled, and 1,343 persons have been disabled to the extent that they are unable to work further. From these statistics you can see the seriousness of the situation. Singapore is peaceful. We have no wars. However, every year, unfortunately, we find that more than 100 people lose their lives and limbs. This is really a very serious matter and is a problem to ponder on. So a more practical attitude is not just to discuss the supply of artificial limbs but to adopt better effective measures. I think the Ministry of Labour should engage more inspectors to go to the factories and other places of work to make routine or surprise inspections to see whether the facilities there are safe and without hazards.

Order. Mr Teong, the debate is on the question of the supply of artificial limbs to injured workmen. The Minister for Health will be in no position to answer questions such as increasing the strength of the inspectorate, which should properly be directed to the Minister for Labour. Can you please confine your remarks to the supply of artificial limbs to injured workmen?

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand your ruling, and I will cut short my speech. As I have said just now, I feel that artificial aids are very necessary for these unfortunate people. But if the cost is to be borne by the workers themselves, it might be impossible for them to get artificial limbs because they draw a very low pay. According to calculations, an artificial limb costs about $2,000. If the worker happens to be working in a Government department, I feel that the authorities concerned should look into the matter and try to do all they can to enable him to maintain his livelihood and the livelihood of his family. This is what we, as a Government that looks after the welfare of the people, should do to help him discharge his responsibility.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I quite understand the unfortunate plight of the victims who have lost their limbs. I personally do feel compassion and sympathy for them. But I would like to clarify certain points which have been brought up by the Member for Moulmein. He seemed to convey to the House the impression that artificial limbs are not supplied free to the unfortunate victims by the hospital authorities because the hospital administrators are splitting hairs and want to distinguish between a peg-leg and an artificial limb. He said they are slaves to rules and regulations. That is not the case. First of all, rules and regulations must be there and they must be applied. Obviously rules and regulations have been drawn up because there is a - and I underline it - rationale on which they have been drawn up. Perhaps if I may just explain, it will clarify matters. What is the difference between an artificial limb and a peg-leg or a pylon? As far as these aids are concerned, they are an artificial substitute for a lost limb. According to the experts, as far as peg-legs and pylons are concerned, they are the minimum substitute for a lost limb, whereas an artificial limb is something much more sophisticated and elaborate. Of course, the sophistication and the elaboration of artificial limbs can vary from type to type. Some artificial limbs can be electronically operated. But as far as the hospital rules and regulations are concerned, they are based on the policy that a peg-leg is the minimum substitute for a lost limb, and that is what the hospitals are providing at a subsidised price. Artificial limbs are something more than a minimum substitute. Of course, in any case, we must draw a line somewhere. If you say that a patient is entitled to a free artificial limb, then he may demand an artificial limb which is electronically operated. There is another matter which I wish to point out to the Member for Moulmein - if he has not been aware of it, although he is a trade unionist. Under section 15 (3) of the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, workmen who are injured are entitled to artificial limbs, but the price must be paid for by the employers. Why should the Government be held responsible for supplying a free artificial limb when, under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, it is the employers who should be liable to supply it? After all, they are the people who make a profit, whereas the Government does not make a profit. Of course, if the Government is the employer, it is a different matter. Another point which hinges on policy is this. The Member for Moulmein said that in the case of the P.W.D. labourer, the N.T.U.C. had contributed some funds and, as a result, the labourer is now in a position to have the artificial limb. He also added that the N.T.U.C., although it helped in this instance, was not indicating that it was going to turn itself into a philanthropic organisation. On the same basis, I would say that a hospital is not a philanthropic organisation.

It is a State organisation.

A State organisation is different from a philanthropic organisation. Is the Member for Moulmein suggesting that a hospital should be turned into a philanthropic organisation? Perhaps if I may bring up certain points, it may clarify the matter. According to the regulations, at the moment, a peg-leg or a pylon, which will cost about $100, will be supplied to a "C" class patient (who pays $1 per day) at 20 per cent of the cost of the peg-leg; that is, he will have to pay $20. In other words, it is subsidised; whereas if an "A" or "B" class patient wants a pylon or a peg-leg, he pays the full price of $100. However, I wish to point out that even the $100 is an economic cost. In other words, no profit is being made by Government. The $100 is the cost of the production of the peg-leg or the pylon.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Minister for Health has missed some of my points in his reply. I am not quarrelling over the fact that there should be rules and regulations.

Mr Sia, you are not entitled to make a second speech. But if you will briefly enumerate your points without introducing any new argument, I will permit you to carry on.

I just want to tell the Minister that I am not talking about rules and regulations, or that they should not be there. What I am talking about is the rationale of the case. The rationale here seems to be a bit cock-eyed simply because, on the one hand, the Government allows a wheel-chair costing $300 to be given free and, on the other hand, it does not allow an artificial limb which costs $250 to be given free. That is the rationale that I am questioning, Mr Speaker, Sir. With regard to the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance which was referred to by the Minister, I just want to point out that I am not referring to the cases under that Ordinance. I am referring to those labourers who, outside their work, happen to be knocked down by a car and are not covered by the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance. These are the two points I wish to mention.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the way the Member for Moulmein has explained his case, of course, the rationale of it looks cock-eyed. But I think that is not the rationale on which the rules and regulations have been drawn up. I have made it quite clear just now that the rationale behind the rules and regulations is that, as far as the hospitals are concerned, they will give an artificial aid which will be the minimum substitute for a lost limb. According to my experts, the minimum substitute for a lost limb is a peg-leg. But if a person wants something more superior and sophisticated like an artificial limb, then he will have to pay for it. May I just reply to the Member's other point? He has mentioned car accidents and so on. If a person involved in a car accident was not negligent, he can easily claim compensation.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn. Adjourned accordingly at Ten minutes past Six o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed.

Wednesday, 15th October, 1969

asked the Minister for Finance (a) how many Government enterprises and corporations have been established, up to the latest convenient date; (b) how much capital is invested; (c) how many other enterprises are there in the Republic in which the Government has equity participation, and how much capital is invested; and (d) whether he is satisfied with the progress made by such enterprises.

Eight wholly-owned Government enterprises have been established. They are - 1. Chartered Industries of Singapore Ltd. 2. Keppel Shipyard (Pte.) Ltd. 3. Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. 4. Sembawang Shipyard Ltd. 5. Singapore Electronic & Engineering Ltd. 6. Singapore Pools (Pte.) Ltd. 7. Singmanex Ltd. 8. R.T.S. Enterprises (Pte.) Ltd. (b) The total equity investment in these enterprises amounts to $70 million. (c) In addition, Government has equity holdings in joint ventures with 21 industrial, banking and communication companies. The total value of equity participation at cost in these 21 enterprises amounts to $122.4 million. This figure is substantially larger than the one I used in a recent speech because it includes, in addition to manufacturing enterprises, the Government's share in the Development Bank of Singapore as well as Malaysia-Singapore Airlines Ltd. (d) I am satisfied with progress made by these enterprises.

asked the Minister for Finance (a) whether the Government has direct or any control over enterprises such as Radio and Television Singapore Enterprises (Pte.) Limited, Chartered Industries of Singapore Limited, Intraco and other similar enterprises wholly owned by the Government; and (b) how many civil servants are administering those enterprises, and how are they paid and from what sources.

Since Government is the sole owner of these enterprises, it has full control over them. The Government, however, does not exercise control in detail in the day-to-day affairs of these enterprises. Such matters are left to the management of the enterprise. Government's control is exercised over policy through the Board of Directors. These are appointed by the Government and, in the main, they consist of civil servants. (b) Civil servants, i.e. employees in the Government Service, are not responsible for the administration of these enterprises, as they are not members of the management team, unless specifically seconded to these enterprises. Such secondment occurs rarely, and, when they do, they are on usual terms governing conditions of secondment.

asked the Minister for Communications whether he will introduce a single fare system for all passengers travelling whatever distance by bus along a bus route in the Republic.

The introduction of a single fare system for all passengers travelling whatever distance by bus along a bus route in the Republic as proposed by the Member for Punggol is an attractive proposition if there is only one bus company responsible for Singapore's public transport service. But, as there are, at present, as many as 11 bus companies operating in the Republic and with different scales of fares in operation, e.g. Singapore Traction Co. charges 10 cents for the first mile and thereafter 5 cents for every subsequent mile, up to a maximum of 25 cents; whereas the other 10 bus companies charge 5 cents for the first mile and thereafter 5 cents for every subsequent mile, without a maximum, it will be quite an accounting problem to resolve before contemplating any such proposal in Singapore. However. I may add that the Transport Advisory Board is attempting a study of the possibility of introducing a uniform system of bus fares, in the first instance.

asked the Minister for Defence (a) in how many accidents, fatal or otherwise, were members of the Singapore Armed Forces involved, up to the latest convenient date; and (b) how much compensation has been paid for loss of lives or limbs as a consequence of those accidents.

The total number of traffic offences of every description involving drivers of Singapore military vehicles and members of the public during the period 1st January to 30th September, 1969 was 369. (b) Of the 369 cases, fatal injuries were sustained in three instances, there were 29 cases in which persons were seriously hurt and the rest were all minor accidents. Of the three fatal accident cases, two of the cases are pending and in the third case the S.A.F. driver was found to be not at fault. Accident claims made against the Ministry of the Interior and Defence are forwarded to the Solicitor-General's Office for necessary action in keeping with procedure relating to claims against Government vehicles.

asked the Minister for Defence (a) when the first batch of National Servicemen was discharged after having served their two-year full-time military service; (b) how many have been offered employment and where; and (c) how many are still unemployed.

The first batch of National Servicemen who have served two years of full-time service were released into the Reserve between mid August and the end of September 1969. (b) For reasons of security the actual number of Servicemen going on to the Reserve cannot be divulged but of the batch that was so released 90 per cent of the Servicemen have been placed in the following sectors of employment, namely - the civil service, statutory boards, the hotel industry, factories, ship building, construction and the building trade, printing, transportation, commerce and security guards. (c) Of the 10 per cent who have not been placed in employment a number of them are awaiting the results of interviews with various prospective employers or are waiting to appear for more interviews.

asked the Minister for Defence (a) whether there is any scheme of service for the Singapore Armed Forces; (b) when was such a scheme introduced; (c) whether the members of the Forces are satisfied with the scheme; and (d) whether he will table the scheme in Parliament.

and (b) When the Ministry of the Interior and Defence was established in August 1965, there was only the existing Malaysian Armed Forces schemes of service to rely upon. The Treasury and the Director of Audit accepted the arrangement and since at that juncture an appreciable number of members of the S.A.F. were Singaporeans who had been employed in the Forces during the Malaysian period it was merely a question of their continuing with their existing schemes of service. However, with the introduction of National Service and the rapid expansion of the S.A.F. the Malaysian Armed Forces schemes of service have had to be progressively reviewed and examined to meet the requirements of our own Armed Forces. Consideration has had to be given also to the schemes of service obtaining in the civil service, the effect that National Service has on the staffing composition of the S.A.F. and the special requirements of the S.A.F. Therefore, a new salary scheme, a new leave scheme, routes of promotion, to mention a few, have had to be introduced and these have all been laid down in either MID Orders, Circulars, Army Board Instructions or subsidiary legislation made by the Army Board in accordance with the provisions of the Singapore Army Act, 1965. (c) There are various categories of officers and personnel in the MID, namely - regular commissioned officers and servicemen, short service commissioned officers, mobilised officers and mobilised servicemen, officers seconded from other Government Ministries and Departments; and National Service officers and servicemen. In so far as officers in the S.A.F. are concerned, they are generally satisfied with their terms and conditions of service. With regard to Other Ranks, a new pay code is being introduced presently and though there are problems because of the limitations of finance, it is hoped that the majority concerned will benefit. There is close co-ordination between the Ministry and Units in the field on service conditions and within the funds available conditions are improved where it is feasible to do so. (d) I do not propose tabling the schemes of service as there is no legal requirement for them to be tabled. However, honourable Members who may be interested in the various aspects of the schemes such as Pay codes, Leave Regulations, Promotions, etc, could be supplied with the necessary information on application to me.

asked the Minister for Health (a) how many complaints have been received by his Ministry in respect of cleansing workers not performing their duties satisfactorily from 1st January, 1968, up to the latest convenient date; and (b) what action has, been taken against those workers.

From 1st January, 1968 to 31st August, 1969 there were only six complaints received in respect of cleansing workers not performing their duties satisfactorily, and this involved 12 cleansing workers. Disciplinary action was taken against these cleansing workers and the punishments imposed were as follows :- Details of Punishment Imposed Number (a) Verbal Warning 1 (b) Written Warning 4 (c) Suspension 1 (d) Fine ( 1/2 day's to 3 days' wages) 6 It is to be noted, however, that an Operations Room was set up at the Ministry of Health in October last year to receive and expeditiously deal with the complaints from members of the public in respect of health nuisances. The public were also urged to lodge their complaints to this Operations Room. From 1st October 1968 to 31st August, 1969, a total of 2,467 complaints of health nuisances were thus received. Each and every complaint was investigated and 556 of them were not substantiated. Of the remaining 1,911 complaints, investigations disclosed that 60 complaints had resulted from neglect or unsatisfactory performance of duty on the part of 98 cleansing workers. Disciplinary action was therefore taken against them and the punishments imposed were as follows : - Details of Punishment Imposed Number (a) Verbal Warning 15 (b) Written Warning 8 (c) Suspension 4 (d) Fine (1� day's to 3 days' wages) 69 (e) Dismissal 2

asked the Minister for Health (a) how many daily-rated cleansing workers have been recruited since the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign which began last year; (b) whether there is any need to recruit more workers; and (c) whether he is satisfied with their performances.

Since the commencement of the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign on 1st October, 1968, to 31st August, 1969, an additional 200 daily-rated cleansing workers were recruited into the service to provide for a full seven days' cleansing service per week. The actual strength of the cleansing workers as on 1st September, 1969, was 4,033. There are 919 vacancies due to resignations, dismissals, etc., and action is being taken to fill them. It is considered that the full complement of 4,952 workers will be sufficient at the present time to maintain a reasonable standard of cleansing services. In 1970-71 it is estimated that an increase of about 930 labourers' posts will be required based on additional built-up areas, new housing estates and streets which will have to be taken over for service by the Public Cleansing Branch. In particular, there is a need to provide a better service in the Jurong Industrial Estate where at the moment only the Town Centre is serviced. The performances of the cleansing workers have improved considerably since the reorganisation of the cleansing services in August 1968. This is evidenced by the increase of the average daily tonnage of refuse collected from 800 tons to 1,200 tons. They are better disciplined as a result of better supervision by supervisory staff who were put through a course of instruction on leadership and man-management techniques organised in co-operation with the Police Academy. Further improvement in the performance of workers can be expected following the introduction of a scheme of monetary awards to be given to those who are hard working and who contribute towards greater efficiency and productivity in the services. Studies of the norms for labourers were also undertaken by the Public Cleansing Branch and many of the labourers' beats are being lengthened. This is possible due to better disposal of litter and refuse into receptacles by the public. An increase in productivity and savings in manpower will result from this exercise of lengthening the beats.