Hansard, 1970-05-07

Under the provisions of clause 2 (d) of Article 30 of the Constitution of Singapore, I have granted permission to the following Members to be or to remain absent from sittings of Parliament (or any committee of Parliament to which they have been appointed) for the periods stated:- Dr Goh Keng Swee (Kreta Ayer), Minister for Finance - from 8th to 12th April, and from 21st April to 16th May, 1970. Mr Ong Pang Boon (Telok Ayer), Minister for Education - from 12th to 25th April, and from 11th to 14th May, 1970. Mr Tang See Chim (Choa Chu Kang), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance - from 13th to 27th April, 1970. Mr Chan Chee Seng (Jalan Besar), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs - from 13th to 30th April. 1970. Mr Sim Boon Woo (Changi) - from 13th to 30th April, 1970. Dr Augustine H. H. Tan (Whampoa) - from 14th April to 21st May. 1970. Mr N. Govindasamy (Telok Blangah) - from 20th to 25th April, 1970. Inche Sha'ari Bin Tadin (Kampong Chai Chee), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture - from 20th to 25th April, 1970. Mr Hwang Soo un (Jalan Kayu) - from 20th to 30th April, 1970. Mr Chua Sian Chin (Mac Pherson), Minister for Health - from 4th to 27th May, 1970. Dr Toh Chin chye (Rochore), Minister for Science and Technology - on 7th May, 1970. Mr Ong Soo Chuan (Nee Soon) - on 7th May, 1970. Mr S. Rajaratnam (Kampong Glam), Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour - from 16th to 21st May, 1970. YEOH GHIM SENG Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

The following Bills were assented to by the President of the Republic of Singapore on the dates stated:- 31st March, 1970 (i) Supply Bill; and (ii) Supplementary Supply Bill. 1st April, 1970 Income Tax (Amendment) Bill. YEOH GHIM SENG Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

Order. The hon. Members desirous of taking their seats will please come forward when their names are called. The following Members took and subscribed the Oath of Allegiance, or made Affirmation of Allegiance, in the order below: Dr Chiang Hai Ding (Ulu Pandan) Mr Hon Sui Sen (Havelock) Mr Yeo Choo Kok (Delta) Mr Yeo Toon Chia (Kampong Kapor).

2.36 p.m.

For the record, I have to inform hon. Members that at 1.00 p.m, on 31st March, 1970, I received letters - from Inche Buang bin Omar Junid, Madam Chan Choy Siong, Mr Lee Teck Him, Mr Lim Cheng Lock and Mr Lim Soo Peng resigning their seats in Parliament as Members for the electoral divisions of Whampoa, Delta, Ulu Pandan, Kampong Kapor and Havelock respectively. In accordance with clause 2 (c) of Article 30 and clause (4) of Article 91 of the Constitution, the seats of the five Members became vacant with effect from the aforementioned time. The vacancies have since been filled by elections in the manner provided by and under the relevant law.

Resolved, "That, under Standing Order 10 (2) , a Ministerial statement by the Prime Minister be made before Questions for Oral Answer." - [Mr E. W. Barker].

2.38 p.m.

Mr Speaker, although it is 15 years ago, in 1955, that Ministerial salaries and allowances for Members were fixed and are unrelated to present-day economic conditions, I would have preferred to have left them alone. However, two reasons compel me to make some adjustments now, and this in spite of the need for wage restraint by the workers and by their trade union leaders. Until we are sure that the effects of the rundown of British military spending have been more than offset by an expansion in our industrial and servicing sectors of the economy, we must be cautious and discourage wage increases which are not matched by higher productivity. The first reason is that I wish to appoint the new Member of Parliament for Havelock to an important Ministry. Sir, it is not fair to ask any man, however conscientious and faithful a public servant the Member for Havelock has been, to take on a Ministry which carries heavier responsibilities than the Development Bank of Singapore for a salary of $2,500 per month. It is so unrealistic and so unrelated to present conditions in Singapore, and to what he is getting, and to what is the remuneration for higher executives in commerce and industry, and even for senior members in the professions. Senior lawyers put in income tax returns of over $20,000 a month. I am sure that if I asked him to, the Member for Havelock would be willing to make a sacrifice and serve at the present salary. But if we are to attract men of ability to serve as Ministers, in other words, to run for election and then serve as Ministers, Singapore cannot, for the indefinite future, rely on people who are willing to make inordinate sacrifices, particularly when it is at the expense of their families. No group of men, either in commerce or industry or in academe, are as crucial to Singapore's continued security and prosperity as the eleven who form the Cabinet. The leadership that a government provides determines whether a country is stable and prosperous, or chaotic and bankrupt. And what has happened to a number of new countries should warn us of the dangers Singapore faces if a second generation leadership is not equal to their task. Sir, I had considered the possibility of raising the salaries for the Member for Havelock and for a few other Ministers for whom $2,500 would be out of all proportion to what they were earning outside the Government and whose family needs are also pressing. I decided against it. To do so would be discriminatory and arbitrary. The second reason is that it would not be possible to have men of ability and integrity to become Ministers at these salaries, once the present Ministers leave office. If Ministers in Singapore are not expected to be scrupulously honest, then that is quite a different matter. For then their Ministerial salaries can be token payments for purposes of income tax returns, whilst fortunes are accumulated in kick-backs and rake-offs, for licences, contracts, and a hundred and one acts of the exercise of Ministerial discretion. I have, therefore, decided to recommend to Members to increase the salaries of Ministers in Cabinet from $2,500 to $4,500 per month; Ministers of State from $2,000 to $2,500 per month; Parliamentary Secretaries from $1,500 to $1,750 a month. I am not increasing my own salary of $3,500 a month. My salary will stay as it is until the end of 1972, by which time Singapore should have overcome the economic problems caused by the rundown in British military expenditure, provided we all work hard for higher and higher productivity and more and more industries. I am able to do this only because my wife is a practising solicitor with an adequate income. But it is unrealistic to expect the next Prime Minister, one qualified for the job, to discharge the functions of this office for the present salary. Meanwhile my colleagues and I are hoping to attract young men and women of ability and integrity to take up political work and stand as Members of Parliament. From several selection exercises we have held since 1965 to get new blood into this House, we know that many young people are reluctant to undertake political life and stand for election, first, because their public and private lives are immediately put under close and constant scrutiny, and next, because of the time and effort required of a Member of Parliament, all for $500 per month. My colleagues and I have, therefore, decided that we should raise M.P.s' allowances to $1,000 per month. I am not suggesting that this will solve the problem. But it will help. At the next sitting of Parliament I shall introduce a supplementary budget for these changes to be made from 1st June, 1970. The cost will be about $300,000 per annum for the increase in the M.P.s' allowances, and $300,000 per annum for the increase in the salaries of Ministers, Ministers of State and Parliamentary Secretaries. No increases are proposed for Political Secretaries, for normally they would not be Members of Parliament and, therefore, the rationale for the increases does not apply to them. Within the 70's, it is my hope that this Parliament can attract enough men of quality and integrity to maintain honest and efficient standards of administration, and to provide capable leadership for Singapore. Social, economic and political conditions have changed enormously since 1955, and motivations for seeking political office have also changed. But I believe we can produce a second generation leadership, as competent and honest, and with a bit of luck, perhaps also as dedicated and determined as those colleagues of mine who have been in office since 1959. If we can succeed in this, then Singapore's future for the 1980's and beyond will be assured. I am prepared, of the statement I have put House, to answer any questions of clarification.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to seek clarification and elucidation from the Prime Minister arising out of the Ministerial statement. First of all, Sir, will the Prime Minister indicate whether or not the four Members of Parliament who resigned from this House last month would come into this category to enjoy their pensions? Secondly, will he not consider that this increase is out of date? Thirdly, Sir, will he not inform this House, apart from the reasons he gave just now, why he has not recommended an increase in his own salary?

Mr Speaker, Sir, in reply to the first question, whether the increases will apply to the four Members of Parliament who have resigned, the answer, with great regret, is no. We considered this matter carefully. If we were to apply it to them and have their pensions based on $1,000 per month, then we, as a government, would be going against a principle for which we have always stood, namely, that wage increases should never be back-dated or made retrospective. Parliamentary pensions for M.P.s' allowances and Ministers' salaries are calculated on the mean average of their last three years. So if it is to be altered for the four former M.P.s, the present allowances would have to be back-dated three years. It is irresponsible for any government to set such a precedent. Apart from grave problems that would be posed not only to employers generally, the Minister for Finance will be pressed, because every wage increase made, will be asked to be retrospective. I know that it is regrettable that former Members like Mr Lee Teck I Tim, after having served 11 years, will get a pension of only $170 a month. I suggest to the Member for Punggol that perhaps his feelings of comradeship and loyalty to Mr Lee Teck Him are such as to make a call on his generous and charitable disposition, and that of other Members.

The second question is about the increase in the Prime Minister's salary.

I have already given the reason. I do not think it is appropriate. First, I can afford not to take an increase immediately. Second, 1 think it will be better understood by workers generally and their trade union leaders, of whom there are several representatives in this House, that the need for wage restraint and no wage increase without higher productivity -that policy must prevail. My stagnant salary is symbolic of that policy. I am not suggesting that my productivity is not increasing. All I am saying is that, because workers do not visibly see my productivity increasing, I am leaving it at $3,500 until we have the all-clear signal by the end of 1972.

There is still the last part of my question, Sir: whether the Prime Minister would not consider that this increase is a little bit out of date?

It is better late than never.

Mr Speaker, Sir, we all know that the Member for Joo Chiat has been a Member of Parliament till his election as Speaker of the House. May I know whether the new salary will be applied to him in his present position as Speaker?

Unless the Member for Bras Basah moves an amendment to exclude the Member for Joo Chiat, the increase for all M.P.s will also cover him. I am not sure whether the Member for Bras Basah wants to exclude the Member for Joo Chiat.

In fact, I was a bit anxious when the Member for Joo Chiat's position was not clarified. I want him to be included.

Thank you, Mr Ho. 2.55 p.m.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will ascertain from the Jurong Town Corporation (a) how many "executive flats" will be built in Jurong Town; and (b) whether any of those flats will be for sale and at what price.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is as follows: (a) Eighty executive flats will be built in Jurong Town. (b) Some will be considered for sale but the price has not yet been fixed.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary inform this House when these executive flats will be completed?

Mr Speaker, Sir, it is expected that the flats will be completed by early 1971.

asked the Minister for Communications whether he is aware that the telephone services in Jurong Town are inadequate to cope with the demands in the mornings, and what steps the Singapore Telephone Board proposes to take to improve telephone services in the Town.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Singapore Telephone Board is aware that during certain peak hours in the morning, there is congestion in the telephone traffic between the Jurong Exchange and the City. This normally occurs between the hours of 10.00 and 11.00 in the morning. This congestion is due to the lack of sufficient junction cable circuits to the Jurong Exchange. An additional junction cable is now being laid. This project was scheduled for completion early this year, but due to the delay in the delivery of certain ancillary equipment, such as loading coils, it will now be completed by the end of June this year. The delay unfortunately has been caused by strikes, not in Singapore but in the United Kingdom firm which supplies the equipment. In the meantime, however, certain relief measures have been taken and it is estimated that about 40 per cent of the congested traffic load during peak hours has been met.

asked the Minister for Defence how many non-citizens are at present in (i) the Singapore Police Force; and (ii) the Singapore Armed Forces; and whether they will be granted citizenship.

Mr Speaker, Sir, on 1st April, 1970, there were 420 non-citizens in the Singapore Police Force and 258 non-citizens in the Singapore Armed Forces. Citizenship is granted only to those whose loyalty to Singapore and what Singaporeans seek for themselves is beyond doubt. All these non-citizens have had the opportunity to take out Singapore citizenship and throw in their lot with us in the years before August 1965 when citizenship was obtainable by application after two years' residence. They decided not to apply to be Singapore citizens. Now for bread-and-butter considerations, some have applied. We think it is better to give them the bread-and-butter benefits without imposing the responsibilities of citizenship on them. They can all look forward to their gratuities or pensions when they have fulfilled their service obligations, and they will carry our good wishes with them when they retire to wherever they have come from.

asked the Minister for Defence whether the existing law is adequate to deal with persons causing noise nuisance.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the existing legislation is adequate to deal with persons causing noise nuisance. The laws that can be invoked are: (1) The Minor Offences Ordinance (Chapter117). (2) The Public Entertainments Ordinance, 1958 (No. 40 of 1958). (3) The Road Traffic Ordinance, 1961 (No. 26 of 1961). Members will agree that legislation alone will not be able to deal with the noise nuisance. Loud noises are usually created by inconsiderate people. Good social habits can be achieved by education both in the schools and at home. In the next decade we should have an educated society where the majority should have acquired considerate habits. By then we hope that the above legislation would be obsolete and could be safely revoked.

asked the Minister for Culture (a) whether the Dewan Bahasa dan Kebudayaan Kebangsaan has ceased to exist and the reasons therefor; and (b) how many officers of the Dewan (i) were transferred to another department or to another Ministry; or (ii) had their services terminated.

The Dewan Bahasa dan Kebudayaan Kebangsaan was wound up in July 1969 after the purposes for which it was set up were achieved. The Dewan was set up in 1960 mainly, amongst other things, to promote the study of the National Language amongst the adult population. In the nine years of its existence it had successfully encouraged the study of the National Language through its various activities. Now that the study of the National Language is conducted in our schools in a systematic manner, the Dewan has no other work to do. (b) (i) All officers of the Dewan Bahasa dan Kebudayaan Kebangsaan have been transferred to other Ministries/Departments as follows: (a) The research officer was transferred to the Ministry of Education; (b) The clerical officer was transferred to the Attorney-General's Chambers; and (c) The typist and the office boy were transferred to the Press Section, Ministry of Culture. (ii) None of the staff of the Dewan had his services terminated.

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary give the number of officers transferred, please?

Sir, there were four officers.

asked the Minister for Culture (a) whether the public records which are preserved at the National Archives and Records Centre include items of any special monetary value; and (b) what safeguards are taken to ensure that there is no deterioration of the condition of those records.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the public records of the National Archives and Records Centre include archives dating from 1800, some 20 years before the official founding of Singapore in 1819. The archives include not only Government publications and correspondence, but also maps, building plans, photographs and other types of public records. Many items in the archives may be considered unique and therefore priceless in that they are original documents of irreplaceable value. No estimate can be made of the monetary worth of such items, as in modern times, copies of these are generally made available through the medium of microfilm or other photocopying devices. All archives are kept in air-conditioned stacks, the oldest and most important of these being in 24-hour air-conditioned storage. Such air- conditioning ensures that there is no deterioration in the condition of these records. One of the National Archives staff has also been sent to the National Archives and Records Centre of Malaysia for training in the binding and restoration of fragile archives. Training of additional staff will also be provided as necessary.

asked the Minister for Culture what efforts are made by the Broadcasting Division to obtain data of audience preferences in respect of television and radio programmes so that selection of programmes for broadcast may he made on a more scientific basis.

Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry is considering a proposal by the Broadcasting Division to set up an Audience Research Unit within the Department to service its requirements for a regular survey of audience preferences. In this connection, the Department has had consultation with the Economic Research Centre of the University of Singapore. Radio and T.V. Singapore has always been keen to have an audience survey since, as the Member for Katong has suggested, the selection of programmes for broadcast could be broadly based on audience preferences. Pending approval for the establishment of the Unit, the Department is exploring ways and means of getting information, no matter how limited, on the reaction of its viewers/listeners. The Community Centre Survey presently being undertaken by the State and City Planning Organisation and the People's Association, for example, includes a few questions on Radio and T.V.

asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that due to the irregular collection of industrial waste in Jurong Town by his Ministry, the factories tend to burn their waste which, besides possibly giving rise to fire hazards, increases air pollution in the area; and if he will take steps to improve the efficiency of industrial refuse collection in the Town.

Mr Speaker, Sir, it is correct that the Ministry of Health provides only a limited refuse removal service to factories in the Jurong industrial estate. The refuse removed is a domestic and trade type of refuse, but not industrial waste. This already amounts to 29 tons per day. The department does not have the vehicles or men to undertake the removal of industrial waste which is estimated at present at another 45 tons per day. To remove this, six more vehicles and 18 men are required. The removal of trade and industrial waste by persons carrying on a trade or manufacture is provided for under the law. All factories in the area were in October 1968 served with notices under section 13 of the Environmental Public Health Act, 1968, to cart their industrial waste for disposal at the Choa Chu Kang refuse dumping ground. The charge made for the use of this dumping ground was waived and the managements of factories do make use of this facility. The burning of industrial refuse, unless carried out in properly designed and approved incinerators, is a fire hazard and causes smoke and air pollution in the area. Action will be taken against the management of the factories for creating such nuisance.

3.07 p.m.

"to amend the Parliamentary Pensions Act, 1969 (No. 3 of 1969)", recommendation of President signified; presented for the Minister for Finance by Mr Lim Kim San (Acting Minister for Finance); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to provide a Civil List and pension for the President of the Republic of Singapore", recommendation of President signified; presented for the Minister for Finance by Mr Lim Kim San; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Post Office Savings Bank Ordinance (Chapter 106 of the Revised Edition)", 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.

"to amend the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (Chapter 207 of the Revised Edition)", presented by Mr Yong Nyuk Lin; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to provide for enlistment of persons in the armed forces of Singapore", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Defence (Mr Lim Kim San); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Second-hand Dealers Ordinance (Chapter 200 of the Revised Edition)", 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 prohibit smoking in cinemas, theatres and specified buildings", recommendation of President signified; presented for the Minister for Health by Mr Jek Yeun Thong (Acting Minister for Health); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

Order for Second Reading read. 3.12 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Section 7 of the Stamp Ordinance, as it now reads, permits the use of impressed or adhesive stamps for the payment of duties. The term "adhesive stamps" includes both postal stamps and revenue stamps of higher values. In other words, under the law as it now stands, postal stamps can be used for the payment of duties. The use of separate revenue stamps will assist in differentiating between postal revenue and stamp duty revenue, and it has been decided to introduce revenue stamps as distinct from postal stamps. The amendment which will come into force on such date as the Minister may appoint will restrict the payment of duties to revenue stamps and impressed stamps only. Sufficient time will be given for the change-over. 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. 3.15 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Bill now before this House was drafted on the recommendation of the Chief Justice in consultation with the Attorney-General. The Bill fuses the jurisdictions of the lower courts in respect of civil and criminal matters. It provides, inter alia, for both civil and criminal jurisdictions to be exercised not only by District Courts but also by Magistrates' Courts. We shall thus no longer have the separation between Civil District Courts and Criminal District Courts as hitherto. The civil jurisdiction of the District Court will also be raised to $5,000 with powers to award equitable remedies like an injunction or specific performance. This will effectively off-load a considerable amount of work that has previously been dealt with in the High Court. The jurisdiction of the Civil District Court is now $2,000, and the court has no power to grant equitable remedies. Any claim for more than $2,000 or an action praying for equitable remedies must be instituted in the High Court. Care, however, has been taken to ensure that this increase in jurisdiction will not deny a litigant the right to pursue his own claim without the aid of counsel. The Civil District Court has always been regarded as "a poor man's court" where he can pursue his claim with the aid of officials of the Court. With the increase in jurisdiction, provisions have necessarily been made for the making of new rules of procedure that would assist both counsel and the Court in arriving at a fair and proper decision. Today, Magistrates' Courts deal solely with criminal matters. The Bill provides for Magistrates to hear civil cases where the claim or the value of the subject matter in dispute does not exceed $1,000. The Bill, which has also received the consideration of the legal profession, will provide for more efficient administration in the lower courts. A central Registry to deal with all administrative work will also be set up. The new system will further enable our District Judges and Magistrates to acquire a more varied experience, affording them opportunities to gain a rounded and more comprehensive training. The structure of our system of administration of justice is such that officers appointed to the judicial and legal service may be called upon to serve in capacities that would require them to assume the role of prosecutor, legal adviser to Government1 as well as that of Magistrate or District Judge, according to the exigencies of the service. An officer would, therefore, be given the same rounded experience both in the criminal as well as in the civil fields of law, whether he is a District Judge or Magistrate, in the Attorney-General's Chambers, the Official Assignee's Department or the Legal Aid Bureau. The Bill also affords our subordinate courts greater powers to commit for contempt of court. Provisions relating to this are set out in no uncertain terms so that those administering the law will have adequate powers and authority to maintain at all times the dignity of the Courts. Sir, I beg to move.

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

3.23 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name on the Order Paper. *The motion reads as follows: `That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Ordinance (Chapter 55), resolves that the Schedule to the said Ordinance be amended by the deletion under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the items shown in Part I of the following Schedule, and by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and ~`New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the items shown in Part II of the said Schedule:- THE SCHEDULE. Part I. Old Title or name of Office New Title or Name of Office Superintending Pharmacutical Chief Chemist. Chemist Municipal Analyst Chief Chemist and Chief Inspector of Dangerous and Hazardous Materials. Deputy Chief Chemist Deputy Chief Chemist and Deputy Inspector of Dangerous Drugs. Part II. Superintending Pharmaceutical Chief Pharmacist Chemist Deputy Chief Chemist Deputy Chief Chemist and Deputy Chief Inspector of Dangerous Materials.' Sir, the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Ordinance, (Chapter 55 of the Revised Edition), provides in section 2 for the substitution of new departmental titles or names of offices for titles or names that have been rendered obsolete, and in section 3 for the amendment of the Schedule to that Ordinance by resolution of Parliament for the purpose of giving legislative effect to changes in such titles or names. The agreement of this House is therefore sought to delete from the Schedule to the Ordinance the three items set out in Part I of the Schedule to the motion now before this House, and to embody in the Schedule to the Ordinance the items shown in Part II of the Schedule to the motion whereupon the obsolete title "Superintending Pharmaceutical Chemist" will be replaced by the current title "Chief Pharmacist", and the title "Deputy Chief Chemist" by the title "Deputy Chief Chemist and Deputy Chief Inspector of Dangerous Materials". The passing of this motion will mean that wherever in any written law or in any document of whatsoever nature these old titles appear, the new titles will be read instead of the old. This method has been utilised over the years to take legislative cognisance of nomenclatural changes in titles or names of offices that have in fact already taken place. Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Depar4nental Titles (Alteration) Ordinance (Chapter 55), resolves that the Schedule to the said Ordinance be amended by the deletion under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the items shown in Part I of the following Schedule, and by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New THE SCHEDULE. Part I. Old Title or name of Office New Title or Name of Office Superintending Pharmacutical Chief Chemist. Chemist Municipal Analyst Chief Chemist and Chief Inspector of Dangerous and Hazardous Materials. Deputy Chief Chemist Deputy Chief Chemist and Deputy Inspector of Dangerous Drugs. Part II. Superintending Pharmaceutical Chief Pharmacist Chemist Deputy Chief Chemist Deputy Chief Chemist and Deputy Chief Inspector of Dangerous Materials.' Title or Name of Office" respectively of the items shown in Part II of the said Schedule : -

Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to Thursday, 21st May, 1970." - [Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-eight minutes past Three o'clock p.m. to Thursday, 21st May, 1970.

Thursday, 7th May, 1970

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Culture what are the duties and responsibilities of the research officers in the Publicity Division and Broadcasting Division.

Research Officer, Publicity Division The Publicity Division of the Ministry of Culture has one post of Research Officer, who is in charge of the Research Unit of the Publicity Division. The duties of this officer are to gather, collate, catalogue and index information from newspapers, periodicals and other publications, reference and source materials on political and public events, economic and social history and other related subjects relevant to current affairs, for the publications issued by the Publicity Division and for the general use of this Division. Research Officer, Broadcasting Division The `Research Officer' is in charge of the Research Unit which works in conjunction with the Newsroom and Central Productions Unit of Radio & TV Singapore. All these three units comprise the News Division of the Broadcasting Department. The Research Unit is essentially a news information unit and maintains a modest quick-reference library as well as a collection of news clippings. It indexes a variety of periodicals on current affairs, and classifies and files items from local and overseas newspapers, and the RTS news bulletins. It also keeps the scripts of some radio and television programmes. The Unit has started a collection of photographs and other illustrations which may be required for TV programme productions. The Research Officer is also responsible for the transcription of important speeches, interviews, press conferences, talks and forums (in both English and Chinese) recorded by RTS. In addition, he collects and collates information required for the production of some radio and television programmes, such as `Breakfast Bulletin' and `It's Happening in Singapore'. Lastly, the Research Officer acts as the departmental liaison officer in connection with current publicity campaigns.