Hansard, 1975-03-18

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

Main and Development Estimates of Singapore for the financial year 1st April, 1975 to 31st March, 1976, contained in Paper Cmd. 3 of 1975. For convenience, I shall take the totals for each head of expenditure in the Main Estimates and the Development Estimates as they appear in the fifth and sixth columns respectively of the Summary of Estimated Expenditure on page 43 of the Paper. May I draw the attention of hon. Members to the Statement which appears at the bottom of page 41 of the Paper? The totals in respect of the Main Estimates for the two Heads, A "Civil List for the President of the Republic of Singapore" and B "Statutory Expenditure", are not to be voted, and I shall, therefore, not take these totals. Further, the total amount to be voted in respect of the Main Estimates is $2,202,770,19() and not the sum of $2,646,319,300 shown on page 43. I shall deal first with the heads of expenditure in respect of which amendments stand in the Order Paper Supplement. Head C -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head C be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 1111. Sir, what has been the function of the Presidential Council up to now? As amounts of expenditure had been allocated for the Council in previous years. I would like to know how these amounts had been utilised in carrying out the functions of the Council. Secondly, the Presidential Council is supposed to safeguard the minority rights and interests. How successful has it been so far, and what has been done to fulfil these obligations? I would also like to know how often does the Presidential Council meet.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the functions of the Presidential Council are spelt out in Articles 811 and 811. They are: `(1) . . , to consider and report on such matters affecting persons of any racial or religious community in Singapore as may be referred to the Council by Parliament or the Government. (2) . . , to draw attention to any Bill or to any subsidiary legislation if that Bill or subsidiary legislation is in the opinion of the Council a differentiating measure.' A differentiating measure means: `any measure which is, or is likely in its practical application to be, disadvantageous to persons of any racial or religious community and not equally disadvantageous to persons of other such communities, either directly by prejudicing persons of that community or indirectly by giving advantage to persons of another community.' The Council is served by the Office of the Clerk of Parliament, and for the present it is intended to continue with this arrangement. A total provision of $54,010 is included in the Main Estimates of Expenditure to meet expenditure on manpower and other operating expenses for the servicing of the Council in case at some later date it should be decided that a separate office be set up for the Council. The anticipated expenditure to be met will be expenditure on purchase of subsidiary legislation, Supplements to the Gazette, printing of the Council's Annual Report and stationery. Council members are not remunerated in any way. The total expenditure under the vote in FY 73 was $1,549.

20. Expenditure to-date in the current financial year is $2,277. Under Article 81K (5), the Council is required yearly to compile and present to the President a report on the working of the Council during the preceding 12 months, and such reports are presented to Parliament. The last report covered the period 14th July, 1973 to 31st July, 1974 and was presented to Parliament on 7th September, 1974 as Paper Cmd. 13 of 1974. Copies of the report were circulated to all Members. In that report it was stated that the Council had examined 44 Bills and three Acts after their passing by Parliament and had received a large number of subsidiary legislation for examination, and that it had made no adverse report on any of them. The Council meets whenever Bills which have been passed by Parliament are referred to it for consideration and reports in accordance with its terms of reference. As always, the Council's reports are presented to Parliament and copies are circulated to Members. Proceedings of the Council are conducted in private.

Sir, in view of the Minister's explanation, I wish to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $54,010 for Head C ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. Head H -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head H be reduced by $10 in respect of item (a) of subhead AAA 3090. Sir, I am rising to perform an almost annual ritual. This question of compensation for accidents involving Government vehicles has cropped up several times before. In 1973 I said that if the situation did not appear to get better I would say something about it again, and that is why I am standing up before you here today. According to information in the old volumes of Hansard, in March 1973 a total sum of nearly $125,000 was paid out in compensation. According to a question which I tabled for written answer, the total for FY 74 for the 11 months of 1974 is $376,398.80, a sum that represents three times what it was in 1973. The matter has really become much worse. But to compound the situation it would appear that compensation has to be paid even for accidents involving Police vehicles because a sum of $62,000 has been paid out in respect of accidents involving the Police. Under such circumstances, the situation requires some very strong admonition either from the Minister or in some way through the Attorney-General's Chambers. It is for this reason that I have risen to speak on this matter. Another point is that the appropriation for 1974 is $100,000 while the sum that is going to be paid out or has been paid out so far is $376,000. This discrepancy between the appropriation and the actual sum paid out has appeared again and again in the Estimates. Sir, I suggest that when the next Estimates are prepared we put in a sum that is perhaps closer to the experience that we have had so that Members can have an idea of the extent of compensation that has been paid, instead of having to find out by asking for a written answer to a question.

Sir, as for accidents involving Government vehicles, the expenditure under this head for the financial year 1974-75 up to 28th February this year is $139,489.

92. This sum was required to settle claims arising out of accidents involving Government vehicles which were settled out of court. The vast majority of these cases were dealt with under the provisions of the Treasury Collision Agreement between the Government and 48 insurance companies. The Agreement provides for contribution towards the cost of repairs to Government vehicles insured by one of the signatory companies in the event of accidents between these vehicles. The remainder of the vote was used to settle claims in accidents caused or contributed to by the negligence of Government drivers. The sums incurred in the number of accident cases dealt with in the last three financial years are as follows: No. of Year Amount Cases 1972- 1973 $124,831.94 233 1973-1974 $149,925.55 271 1974- 1975 $139,489.92 254 (up to 28th Feb.) These figures show that the number of accidents increased slightly in the last two years compared with the financial year 1972-73. This can be said to be due to the increasing number of vehicles used by the various Government Ministries and departments. Whilst the number of vehicles used by the Ministry of Defence is not known to me, the fleets of the Ministry of the Environment and the Police Department have increased considerably. In 1972, the Ministry of the Environment had 350 vehicles but by 1974 this number had increased to 419. The Police fleet has increased from 664 vehicles in 1972 to 842 in 1974. 2.45 p.m. Another consideration which perhaps has a greater bearing on this expenditure is the sharp increase in the cost of repairs. The sum of $100,000 allocated to meet accidents for the financial year 1974-75 was a conservative figure. The sum expended in the financial year 1973-74 amounted to nearly $150,000. For the first 11 months of the financial year 1974-75, a sum of $139,489.92 has been spent, and we expect this figure to increase to about $150,000 by the close of the financial year. For these reasons a budget of $150,000 for the new financial year would not be an unreasonable estimate. The main reason for the discrepancies between the amount asked for in previous financial years and the actual amount spent was the unforeseen sharp increase in the cost of repairs and the increase in the number of accidents. In 1971, for example, the average cost of each accident was about $370 but by 1974 the average cost per accident had increased to $550. Drivers of Government vehicles are subject to a far greater degree of control than the ordinary driver. Not only are they liable to criminal proceedings which may be initiated but they are also subject to departmental proceedings which may result in their dismissal, where appropriate. In the case of the Ministry of Defence, Singapore Armed Forces' drivers are not only liable to disciplinary proceedings but may also be ordered to pay or contribute towards the cost of repairs to their vehicles.

Mr Conceicao, you have actually exceeded the guillotine time. Would you like to withdraw your amendment?

In that case, Mr Speaker, Sir, I withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave withdrawn. The sum of $2,099,940 for Head H ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $563,000 for Head H ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head J -

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1109. Sir, pollution caused by lorries, taxis and other commercial vehicles has decreased considerably. Yet there seems to be no decrease in the pollution caused by buses owned by the Singapore Bus Service. It is common to see buses continuously emitting smoke throughout their journeys. I am sure the Minister must have noticed this. What efforts are being made to reduce this health hazard? In complete contrast, the Scheme B buses are in excellent condition and do not emit poisonous smoke, although all the buses are using the same fuel. To make matters worse, some of the SBS buses are so noisy that if one is not careful one's eardrums may burst especially if one happens to be too close to the engine. Sir, the Showa Maru incident was given immense publicity as a result of the unique damage caused to Singapore and our neighbours. Our neighbours have already made public their claims for the damage. The damage to us was greater than that to our neighbours. Besides the damage we have also incurred a huge expenditure in our fight to minimise the pollution. What was the outcome of the Foreign Ministers' meeting which was specially convened to discuss this incident and its related issues? What measures are being taken to ensure that tankers, like the Showa Maru, do not create further damage to our waters and seashores?

Mr Speaker, Sir, I think we all know that the main cause of excessive smoke from buses, cars and other vehicles is bad maintenance of their engines. Anyway, because of the enforcement action taken by the Registry of Vehicles and the Traffic Police, matters have improved. Owners are more careful and, with the exception of buses, they have maintained their vehicles quite well. There has been an improvement in the control of smoke pollution all over Singapore. I quite agree with the Member for Anson that Scheme B buses are in a much better condition. They do not make so much noise, nor do they emit smoke as much as the SBS buses. But I would like to inform him that Scheme B buses are not as heavily used and so there is less deterioration and thus easier to maintain. I can assure him that with more new SBS buses coming to the scene and with a team of army personnel helping in the maintenance of the buses, the situation will improve. However, it will be some time before any improvement in the SBS could be seen.

Mr Speaker, Sir, may I, on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, answer the Member for Anson's query on the Showa Maru incident? The incident, as the Member knows, brought our Foreign Minister and those of the neighbouring countries together to discuss the safety of navigation and the control of marine pollution in the Straits of Malacca and the Straits of Singapore. As the Member would have read in the press, a Ministerial Council was formed as a result of the meeting. A Traffic Separation Scheme and the use of additional navigational aids were also considered at the meeting and, if implemented, the safety of navigation in the Straits would be further enhanced. The Foreign Ministers also agreed that there should be cooperation and consultation amongst the three countries when submitting claims for compensation arising out of oil spills. These are measures to ensure that while oil tankers, including the Very Large Crude Carriers, use the Straits of Malacca and the Straits of Singapore, they will not create oil spills to damage our waters and seashores and those of our neighbours. On the Showa Maru incident itself, the Port of Singapore Authority has submitted a claim for $3.8 million. These are specific claims on amounts actually expended in both fighting pollution and preventing the spread of pollution caused by the oil spills. As regards general damages, the matter is somewhat complicated and is still under consideration.

Sir, on the matter of buses I think there is no proper control over them. I understand that spare parts are allowed to lie in an open space and anybody can take them out. There is no proper control by SBS, and therefore you can expect their buses to give out smoke. However, I withdraw my amendment.

Sir, may I clarify the position? I am not responsible for the mechanical maintenance of the buses, but partly responsible for the control and monitoring of pollution caused by the buses emitting smoke. If the Member wants satisfaction about how spare parts are used by the SBS, I think he should ask my colleague, the Minister for Communications. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of item (a) of subhead AAA 8101. Sir, the development of parks in the Public Utilities Board premises at MacRitchie Reservoir is indeed an advantage for the people. It is essential that we develop parks because more than 40% of our people live in high-rise flats and need an environment for relaxation, lots of trees, greenery and serenity. In addition, in MacRitchie a restaurant enables those who can afford to refresh themselves. I presume the rental is high and so the cost for refreshment is also high. It is the policy of the park authorities to ensure that the park is not littered and stringent measures have been taken to ensure that this is adhered to. Soft drinks are not allowed in the park for fear of littering, and rightly so. It would also result in the restaurant being put out of business. During the first quarter of each year, many school children frequent the MacRitchie Reservoir, not because they want to enjoy the serenity of the park and its surroundings but because, as part of their school activities, they need to participate in cross-country races. These children go there as groups organised by their schools. Of course, the usual formalities have to be carried out when applications are made by the schools to the Ministry of Education for the use of MacRitchie Reservoir as a cross-country track. These applications are normally approved by the Water Department, Public Utilities Board, and conditions are set down governing the use of the reservoir premises. These conditions are issued by the Chief Water Engineer. The conditions to be observed are on standard cyclostyled sheets and there are ten conditions in all. Most conditions stress on anti-littering and anti-pollution measures that need to be taken. However, regulation (10), "No soft drinks are allowed in reservoir grounds", puzzles me. It is usual for children, after having run a cross-country race of 2.1 miles for girls and 3.1 miles for boys, to want to quench their thirst with some ice-cold water or soft drinks. To run between two and three miles is pretty tiring especially in our hot climate, and it is more than usual for children to need more than one bottle of iced soft drink or more than one glass of ice-cold water at the end of the race. But as soft drinks are not allowed in the reservoir grounds, there is no alternative but for the children to purchase these drinks from the restaurant at the fairly exorbitant price of 35 cents a bottle which, mind you, is not iced because the great number of children participating makes it very difficult for the caterer to ice hundreds of drinks. So the children will have to make-do with warm bottled drinks which is most unsatisfying. 3.00 p.m. In addition, many of the children do without drinks at all because they cannot afford them at such prices. Many children have to dig into their savings for thirst quenchers during cross-country races at MacRitchie. Some children, because they are more capable, are chosen to represent their schools in cross-country runs, so they turn up more than once to MacRitchie and incur still greater costs. I fail to understand why if these cross-country races are organised by schools, and school principals and teachers are responsible people, the PUB cannot make some arrangements so as to enable schools to organise their own thirst quenching facilities in the car park in the reservoir ground. Children can then be provided with cheaper and ice-cold drinks. If properly organised, the drinks would cost no more than 5 cents a glass or even cheaper. The money saved, the satisfaction derived by the children, and the assurance that MacRitchie is not littered, would be enough arguments for the Chief Water Engineer to allow soft drinks into the reservoir grounds during organised cross-country races.

Sir, I think the key to the complaint made here is the term, "if properly organised". In the experience of the PUB, on many occasions when students participated in cross-country runs in the reservoirs, they were found littering. So I say "if properly organised" is the answer. Our experience shows that these runs have not been properly organised on many occasions. That is the reason why, among the 10 conditions imposed by the Chief Water Engineer for the use of MacRitchie Reservoir is one disallowing soft drinks. But after listening to the eloquent appeal from the hon. Member, I think arrangements can be made with the schools and the Chief Water Engineer for children to have ice-cold cheap drinks, if the runs are properly organised. I will take this matter up with the Chief Water Engineer of the PUB, and between the Ministry of Education and the PUB they should be able to work out a scheme to prevent littering in the reservoirs as well as to provide cheap cold drinks for the children.

Sir, that was the most satisfactory answer by the Hon. Minister. I thank him very much for his consideration, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 8201. Sir, the more we deal with the daily affairs of the people, the more we meet with problems. It is inevitable. The PUB has to ensure the supply of water and electricity to 2.2 million people involving some 500,000 consumer accounts. The consumers are of different levels of education and have different capacities for understanding. The PUB has to depend on some 160 meter-readers to go from house to house to read the meters for the calculation of consumers' monthly bills. It is not an easy task for each meter reader to visit some 3,000 households to read meters to any degree of satisfaction. Therefore, most of the monthly bills give actual readings once in every two months or are based on the average consumption over three months. This mode of calculation is contained in the bills sent by the PUB to consumers for their information. Using the pretext of shortage of personnel or the wording as appearing on the bill in order to arrive at any calculation is groundless, inaccurate and unreliable. For instance, in the last year certain consumers' bills suddenly jumped by 100% to 200%. After enquiries by letter, the bill for the following month returned to normal. But after two or three months the bill would again increase by 200%. This is rather erratic and puzzling. To the rich people it does not matter very much, but to people in lower income group who have very tight budgets, it it very disturbing to have to meet the high cost of PUB bills.

Mr Yeo, are you on the right subhead - Loan to Public Utilities Board?

(In Mandarin): Yes, I am talking first on the complaints about PUB bills, Sir. To the low income group people, it is a big burden to them. Sir, to meet the problem of shortage of staff and the dissatisfaction of the increasing number of consumers, and to rectify the situation to the satisfaction of both sides on a long term basis, I suggest that every household should be given the right to record their own consumption of public utilities so that this record can be used by the PUB to calculate the following month's bill. To do this the PUB should carry out publicity campaigns through the press and TV to tell the people how to record their bills correctly. To facilitate easy reading and recording, diagrams and instructions can be included in the PUB's monthly bills, also PUB meter-readers can turn up on the first such occasion to help the consumers record correctly and to avoid future contention. Through the mass media, the PUB should be able to educate members of the public on how to take readings of their consumption rates. All the necessary diagrams can be given to help the consumers to get proper readings and to submit them to the PUB for billing according to their own readings, and any adjustments may be made later against actual official readings. Mr Speaker, Sir, at my Meet-the-People sessions, I received complaints from members of the public that there had been irregularities and unnecessary increases in the PUB bills. Perhaps other Members of the House have also come across such complaints. Therefore, by education and other means of teaching consumers to take their own readings, we will be able to reduce the number of consumers' complaints and this will also help solve the PUB's shortage of meter-readers and other problems.

Sir, I think the Member believes that attack is the best means of defence, and that is why he is complaining loudly for a start. I agree with him that it would be a very good thing if consumers can read their own meters. In fact, the PUB is planning to teach consumers to read their own meters. As long as consumers take their readings correctly and send them in by the scheduled date, the PUB will be able to check them from time to time. That will save us a lot of expenditure in engaging meter-readers. There are a total of 400.000 accounts, and there are about a million meters to be read. We are working on a documentary with the RTS at the moment and it is expected to be ready by May. The documentary will teach the public how to read their own meters. We are also printing cards for consumers to record their meter readings. These readings can then be checked by the meter readers from time to time. But I would like to take this opportunity to say that the complaint about 100-200% increase in the consumers' bill is not quite true. I have come across cases where, in actual fact, consumers have used a 100% or more than the previous month's consumption. In one of my Meet-the-People sessions, I had a consumer who showed me his PUB bills. The average for six months was about $80 per month, but for the month in question the amount billed was about $200. I asked him whether he had any celebration in his house. He said no. On investigation it was found that a dinner party took place for three successive nights to celebrate a wedding. PUB bills can increase substantially because of a leaking water pipe or a faulty meter. Under these circumstances, the consumer can ask for the meter to be checked, and if the meter is proved to be faulty, there will be a refund or the leak detected and repaired.

(In Mandarin): Sir, I am not fabricating all these complaints about the undue increase of PUB bills by 100-200%. In fact, on Friday, the 14th of March this year at my Meet-the-People session I met a member of the public who came to see me with his PUB bills. His monthly bills were at first $14.56 and then it increased to $51.

88. So if it is necessary, I can give the Minister a photostat copy of the bills. Sir, I would like to thank the Minister for accepting my proposal to educate the consumers to take their own meter readings, as this will solve the problem and give a lot of convenience to the people. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $5,247,700 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $54,120,800 for Head J ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head K -

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head K be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 1002 (The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy). Sir, it cannot be denied that we had a very short time in which to build up a credible defence. But under the enlightened leadership and planning of the Minister concerned, we have made great achievements and success in this regard. The strength of our Armed Forces has been increasing from day to day and they are able to take up the responsibility of defending our country. These are achievements which are not mean by any standard, particularly for a small country like Singapore. We should be proud of such achievements. Although the defence build-up has been on the proper lines and is proceeding smoothly for further development, there are some shortcomings which require our attention. I would like to take this opportunity to bring up three points for the attention of the Minister concerned. 3.15 p.m. Firstly, on the relaxation of part-time national service. I have received complaints that the only son in the family has not been exempted from the national service, particularly when his parents are old or sick and are unable to look after their own business. Under such circumstances the only son is required to look after the small family business which cannot be properly run by the aged or sick parents. But exemption is not normally granted in such cases. Another complaint I have received is from an only son who is required to help his aged parents to rear pigs. He has asked for a change from full-time service to part-time service, but his application was rejected. There are other cases of financial difficulties which make it necessary for national servicemen to ask for part-time service instead of full-time service. There are also requests for national service call-up for brothers to be staggered. But all these applications have been rejected. The cases that I have cited are deserving cases because these people come from very poor families and they are faced with great financial (difficulties. So I feel that the Minister concerned should consider their cases more sympathetically and grant their applications for transfer to part-time service. Secondly, there is a need to provide more recreational and cultural activities in the camps. Over the recent years we have such activities in the camps. It is good for the national servicemen and our soldiers to take part in wholesome and cultural activities. This is part and parcel of the build-up of their cultural and spiritual life. I would like to support this kind of activity, as it will provide our soldiers and national servicemen opportunities for recreational and cultural activities. In terms of content perhaps there is still room for improvement. According to my understanding, the songs and the music played during such activities are more of the popular type. No doubt they may be quite pleasing to the ears hut they are not cultural music in the true sense of the word. They are pop music, a crazy type of music, very loud and boisterous and will cause spiritual degradation. So for our soldiers such dissipating type of music should not be encouraged. I would like to propose to the Minister concerned that the cultural and recreational activities provided should contain marches and other healthy songs. Listening in to more and more marches will heighten the Spirit of our soldiers and boost their morale. In this way our soldiers will feel a sense of pride. Furthermore, I understand that the physical activities like sports and games are quite popular among our soldiers in the camps. Unfortunately there is no systematic training for such sports and games. I would therefore like to propose the setting up of a sports or physical education unit in the Armed Forces for the promotion of physical education among our soldiers. In this way there can be more sportsmen trained for our national teams. Thirdly, there have been quite a lot of complaints about misconduct on the part of our soldiers. I have received complaints that some soldiers misbehaved themselves in public. Some soldiers have been said to have made catcalls to girls, when driving in their army trucks. This is a very serious matter and is a breach of good conduct on the part of the soldiers. This will bring our army into disrepute. Though the number of soldiers guilty of such misconduct may be very small, it will nevertheless affect the good reputation of the great majority. Therefore, I would like the Minister concerned to pay special attention to this complaint of misconduct. Another complaint is that some soldiers, and even officers, keep long hair. Since there is an Action Committee against long hair in Singapore and that people with long hair are to be served last, I think this ruling should be strictly enforced in our Armed Forces. We should not tolerate long hair among our soldiers. Our Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Defence Ministry has already set a good example by cutting his hair short! So our soldiers and officers should emulate him. There is every reason to stick to the short hair rule.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the British withdrawal from the region was followed by a Defence Agreement between Australia, Britain and New Zealand aimed at strengthening our defence capabilities. Now, the Australian troops have been withdrawn and the British troops are reported to be on the verge of a complete withdrawal. Only the New Zealanders are left. It seems as though some of our defence partners are very unreliable. Furthermore, this sort of defence agreement drawn up by countries thousands of miles away seems to suit their convenience rather than ours. Do you not think, Sir, it is better that we draw up a new Defence Agreement among the ASEAN countries, which are closer to the shores of Singapore, which could play an effective role in the defence of Singapore and also in the defence of each country? We cannot rely on foreigners. Instead we should rely more on our neighbours. Sir, it has been reported that the army regulars have been given a $25 increment to overcome inflation. This is unfair. The national servicemen are doing the same work and they have to meet the same expenses. They too help in the defence of the country. They too help in the maintenance of their families. Furthermore, married regulars are provided free transport, gratuity allowances and quarters, which benefits the national servicemen are not entitled to. There is considerable dissatisfaction because of this disparity between the regulars and the national servicemen as far as this increment is concerned. Would it not be wiser to give this increment to all servicemen, irrespective of whether they are regulars or national servicemen, since the cost of living affects everybody and not one particular group alone. Why cannot we be fair to all? From this year onwards the National Day Parade, on an experimental basis, will be decentralised. It will be held in different districts in different forms. May I know how these programmes are going to be decentralised? Will there be a variety of parades, etc. or is it going to be the same everywhere? Two years ago I queried the conduct of army drivers because of the numerous accidents they had been involved in. We were then assured that the standard of driving would improve. Unfortunately, I have to raise this question again because I continue to see reckless driving by some army drivers. It seems that some of the army drivers and our bus drivers are equally bad on the roads. Once an army driver is in a 3-tonner, he seems to think that he owns the road and all other vehicles like cars, motor cycles and bicycles are just midgets. It is a common sight to see army drivers speeding along everywhere. Their recklessness is a source of danger to other drivers. It is high time that stern action was taken against these reckless drivers. The army, in fact, the Defence Department introduced SAFE Supermarkets, one in Beach Road and the other at Dempsey Road. Business must have been very bad because a lot of passes had been issued to Government servants and to numerous Statutory Boards. Unfortunately, it seems that the purpose of the SAFE Supermarket at Dempsey Road is lost because of the distance. A look in this Supermarket will clearly reveal the very few items on display and these are of poor quality. Rusty-looking tins or containers are displayed in a shoddy manner. Maybe something could be done to reorganise the Dempsey Road SAFE Supermarket. In these Supermarkets only army personnel are allowed to buy beer at special prices. Unfortunately, the reservists are not allowed to buy beer from this Supermarket. May I know why? Sir, I also understand that in the establishment of the Army, there are many senior posts like Warrant Officers, etc, which are still left vacant, although many loyal and dedicated men who have put in many years of service could fill these vacancies. But this is never done. Why is this so? The junior officers, like the staff sergeants, are quite frustrated because of lack of promotion prospects. Furthermore, the pay of these officers are nothing compared to the salaries of the Police sergeants. Could something be done to revise the salary scales of the army in general?

Sir, the Member for Sembawang is quite wrong about Mindef policy in regard to the call-up of only sons who have to look after the aged parents. The policy is that if the young man is the sole supporter of the family, he is not called up for full-time service. In fact, in 1974, 238 such cases were approved when they appealed against full-time national service. During the Meet-the-People sessions and elsewhere, Members of Parliament are told rather biased stories by parents, which on investigation turn out to be inaccurate. But if the fact is that he is the sole breadwinner in the family and enlistment into national service would impose hardship because of decline in income, then there is a clear case for exemption from full-time service. 3.30 p.m. Regarding cultural activities in the SAF, every person has his taste and if the Member for Sembawang does not like pop songs and loud music he need not turn up at the road shows of the SAF. But he is quite wrong in suggesting that if we only play marches and rousing music the soldiers' morale will go up. This is entertainment and relaxation for them and they want to forget the rigours of military training. Therefore, we have to give them something which they enjoy. Unfortunately, the Member for Sembawang's taste of music does not coincide with that of the soldiers. On the question of sports, there is a sports officer in every unit. The trouble is this. We do not have enough sports fields and even in the biggest and best battalion camp you often find there is only one football field and perhaps two or three basketball pitches. That is about all that is available for nearly a thousand men. This is totally inadequate. The solution is that we have to make-do with what we have, in view of the shortage of land and money being none too plentiful. The ideal solution is beyond the grasp of SAF. Regarding misbehaviour and catcalls to girls, in my five years as Defence Minister I received two complaints on this subject from girls who were outraged by soldiers making catcalls at them. On investigation, it was found that it was not just a matter of the soldiers being high-spirited but they were rather nasty. So the soldiers were duly court martialled and sentenced to 40 days' jail. But there were only two cases in five years. If the hon. Member's girl friends are subject to this kind of treatment, and if they object to it, then please let me have the details. Regarding long hair, I think this is a very general allegation. Standards are being maintained. I would advise the Member for Sembawang to look at an RTS illustration of what constitutes long hair and what does not constitute long hair. I can assure him that the hair style of my Senior Parliamentary Secretary is not taken to be the ideal. The Member for Anson wants the $25 increase to be extended to national servicemen. When we decided not to give this additional sum to national servicemen, we explained that the purpose of this $25 is to meet the additional cost of food, transport and clothing, as against the NWC 9% increase which is the result of economic growth and general sharing of prosperity. So we have to distinguish these two elements of wage increase. The $25 is meant to offset the rising cost of living last year and the subsequent 9% increase which was a share of the bigger GNP growth which Singapore achieved. Nearly all the national servicemen are unmarried and they live in camps. They are fed and they get free transport, free meals and free clothing. So they are protected from the cost of living increases to that extent. In fact, it is the taxpayer who has to meet the additional cost of feeding and clothing the soldiers, whose cost has nearly doubled in recent years. On the other hand, the regular soldier generally lives outside the camp and he has to feed himself. He has got to look after his family and clothe them. He is not protected, to the same extent as the national servicemen, from the effects of price increases. So there is really no case for giving this $25 increase to national servicemen. On the question of whether National Day parades will be the same or whether there will be variety, the answer is that there will be variety. The form of the parade will be under the direction of the Minister in charge. Generally speaking, what we aim to achieve is a more informal atmosphere, a happier and less precise parade, as compared with the central National Day parade at the Padang. On reckless driving, I do not think the Member for Anson can say that his complaint last year had not brought any result. Partly because of what he said, the SAF has bought equipment to catch army drivers speeding by installing radar traps in various places. The Member will be glad to hear that last year 328 soldiers were fined between $20 and $100 each for speeding. But by and large, the accident rate in the Army has not reached the dangerous limit. I will give him some figures if he is interested. In 1974, there was one accident per 45,000 kilometres, and in 1973 there was one accident per 47,000 kilometres. So in 1974 there was a slight deterioration. We are trying to improve the situation as best as we can, but so long as most of the drivers are national servicemen (and this will have to be the position in the national service army) you cannot expect the same high standard of driving as in the regular army where all the drivers are experienced and long-term professionals. The final point about NCOs. Here again, the Member has been misinformed. Last year there were four promotion exercises carried out for regular NCOs. About 480 of them were promoted, which comes to about three-quarters of those who were within the promotion zone. In fact, the number of vacancies in the senior ranks of the NCOs, a vital cadre of the Army, is so serious that the risk is the other way round - we promote people faster than they normally would be promoted.

Sir, the Honourable Minister has not replied to the question on supermarkets.

Here again, I am afraid the facts do not bear out about what the Member has said. When we opened the Dempsey Road Supermarket in April 1974, the reason was that the Beach Road Supermarket was rather crowded as it comprises only a very small room. There were spare buildings in Tanglin Barracks and we thought we would open a supermarket there. We were almost certain that having two supermarkets would be too big for the SAF which after all is not all that big, and therefore we decided to extend in stages to various departments and branches of the Government. At present, the two supermarkets have a combined annual turnover of about $4 million. For instance, in January 1975 Beach Road Supermarket had a turnover of $202,000 in that month alone and Dempsey Road Supermarket had a sale of $189,000. I do not think the Member is correct in saying that the goods in Dempsey Road Supermarket are inferior. They are the same as in Beach Road Supermarket. In fact, they are the same in supermarkets elsewhere. They buy the same brand of goods. But Dempsey Road Supermarket will be moving into consumer durables and will enter into some kind of easy instalment payments for members of the SAF and the civil service, who will be able to buy consumer durables like refrigerators, radios, tape-recorders, etc, on fairly good terms.

Sir, the tins of canned food in the supermarkets are rusty and all are old stocks. The people refuse to buy them.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, as the Minister of Defence has explained satisfactorily to my queries and has promised to improve the situation, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the names of Mr Ng Kah Ting and Mr P. Govindaswamy -

Mr Ng, you have just one minute to move your amendment.

Mr Speaker, Sir, since I have only one minute to speak, I would rather not move my amendment.

I am also not moving, Sir. The sum of $528,340,890 for Head K ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $51,897,000 for Head K ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. 3.45 p.m. Head L -

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 1003 (The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr N. Govindasamy). Sir, what new forms of energy have been thought of as suitable alternatives to oil for Singapore? Since we have ample sunshine, has solar energy been considered seriously, and has any experimental station been set up to study its usefulness to us? Has any thought also been given to the use of monsoon winds as an alternative source of energy? It may seem ridiculous, but I am afraid to say that we have been rather complacent on the study of energy resources or even utilising alternative sources of energy instead of increasing our dependence on oil. Sir, it seems that the recent student trouble we had witnessed in Singapore has been mainly caused by non-citizens. Why has the Registrar of Societies allowed a union to exist, whereby -

Can the Member for Anson say what has this got to do with the Ministry of Science and Technology?

Sir, the Minister for Science and Technology is in charge of the University of Singapore. Therefore, the Minister will have to answer my question on the students' union. Non-citizens who have no stake in this country can and have manipulated the union for their ulterior motives. A union, even a students' union, which permits non-citizens to manipulate its members against Singapore's interest should be struck off, or clauses should be inserted into the constitution to prevent non-citizens from holding any office whatsoever. Sir, it is observed that a bulk of the provision of $60.26 million under this Head is required for Phase I of the development of the new University of Singapore Campus at Kent Ridge. I presume that with this new building there would be a greater intake of our students from the various pre-University classes and Junior Colleges. I wonder to what extent can this building accommodate our students. Sir, I have to ask this question because, at the present time, it is not easy for our students to gain entry into our local university, because of competition and also because of the high standards set. As such, many of our students are thinking of enrolling in overseas universities where chances of admission are very much greater. I would, therefore, urge the Minister to see that our students do get their higher education in our own higher institutions.

I am not speaking, Sir.

Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry has been studying alternative sources of energy besides the present usage of fuel oil. Our main consideration, of course, has been to collect information and data on the use of nuclear energy, in conjunction with the Public Utilities Board. However, I must warn the Member for Anson that my Ministry is not directly in charge of generating energy for public consumption. All that we do is to act as an information gathering centre which can be used to provide relevant data for the Public Utilities Board. No decision has been made on the use of nuclear energy in the near future as there are still many pressing problems which the Public Utilities Board is facing, over and above which the Public Utilities Board has still to operate its new fossil fuel power station at Senoko. However, some research has been conducted by the Mechanical Engineering Department of the University of Singapore on the possibilities of using solar energy. The Member may be aware that Singapore is not a desert. Singapore is covered with clouds very frequently and it seems to be raining almost every day. But we have first to collect information on how much sunlight or radiation from the sun falls on Singapore throughout a whole year. This information has now been obtained and we are using the data to formulate ways and means by which solar energy can be used. The use of solar energy for cooking in villages which are not supplied with electricity or gas is quite common in India and other African countries. These solar cookers can be bought very cheaply. However, I do not foresee in the near or distant future Singapore housewives turning on to solar cookers. Nonetheless, it is our intention that we should conduct experiments so that solar energy can be utilised for industrial purposes rather than for domestic purposes and in this way we hope we will be able to be less reliant on fossil energy. Or equally, with the growing use of air-conditioning in supermarkets, shopping complexes and domestic homes, the Department is conducting research into methods of using solar energy for air-conditioning. However, the research has not been completed because the Department is still waiting for vital pieces of equipment which are necessary for the development of apparatus that will be used as an air-conditioner. This is all that I can say as far as alternative sources of energy are concerned. Of course, the Member for Anson will realise that even the oil-producing countries are less interested in the use of solar energy but more interested in the use of nuclear energy. If he had read the newspapers two days ago he would have learned that the Shah of Iran had already ordered nine nuclear reactors from the United States. I think it is in our interest that we should look for alternative sources of energy. I share with him his concern. On the question of non-citizens in the University of Singapore who have taken a leading part in creating problems, I would only add that the Member for Anson must be aware that prohibition of entry against six non-citizens has already been issued and they will not be allowed to enter into Singapore again. But we do take note of the recommendation or proposal made by the Member for Anson that non-citizens should not be permitted to hold office in student organisations in Singapore. Thirdly, the Member has asked how many students can be accommodated at Kent Ridge. I am in full sympathy with the Member for Anson and all other parents who find it difficult for their children to enter our local University. I must say that the difference in points for admission of students into the University varies from a maximum of 64 points obtained at an HSC examination to a minimum of 32 points, which is a difference of 100%. We cannot go lower than that because we have undertaken a statistical study and discovered that there is a correlation between the grades obtained at the A level and performance at the University. This has not only been our experience but it has also been the experience of universities in the United Kingdom. In the absence of other indicators of ability, we have to rely entirely on the grades obtained at the HSC examination. For this reason we can only take in students who satisfy not just the minimum grade but the accepted grade. For example, in areas of study like medicine and engineering, we require students who have performed very well in the HSC examinations. Otherwise among the students who have been taken below these accepted grades, the possibility of their dropping out is very high. They will drop out of the course in the first or second year, because these are tough courses. I believe that it is preferable for us to train doctors who can cure than to train doctors who cannot cure. So the Member for Anson will accept the fact that standards have to be maintained and that we just cannot absorb or admit students on an ad hoc basis without bearing in mind quality, as well as the possibility of meeting our manpower needs. Talking of doctors, if the Member for Anson had read his newspaper two days ago, he would have come across an article published by the medical profession in which complaints were made of doctors in Singapore migrating overseas. Obviously it seems a bit absurd that if we are to keep on taking in more doctors or more students for training in medicine and the end-result is to cause more migration because they cannot compete among themselves, then we are investing in a holed pocket. For this reason there is a need for a quota. We cannot keep on taking in endless numbers of students who, by virtue of the profession they are trained in, have very great mobility. Medicine is one profession which provides a student with this particular mobility. He can move from one country to another country. Canada is short of doctors. Australia is short of doctors. New Zealand is short of doctors, and so also the United States. So doctors can move very freely. I think it is very important that those who are accepted into the medical school in Singapore should have some sense of obligation. Considering that we have spent a considerable sum of money on their medical education, they should at least devote their skills for some years to patients in Singapore rather than think of their own selfish interest. Their running away from competition among themselves, or the so-called rat race, is not going to help us solve the problem. 4.00 p.m. However, our anticipation is that by 1980 the University will be able to taking a total of 6,700 undergraduates as compared to the present number of 5,500 undergraduates, i.e. 1,200 more by 1980. This is another five years' time. This represents probably a 22% increase. I last made a speech that we could increase by 25% in 1982.

Dr Toh, you have exceeded your 10 minutes. Dr Toh Chin Chye resumed his seat.

Sir, I thank the Minister for his explanation, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1107. Sir, what part does the Chemistry Department play in controlling sea pollution around Singapore and for that matter other types of pollution in Singapore? Does the Chemistry Department insist on guidelines in work conditions and safety precautions in shipyards? There seems to be far too many workers dying of chemically poisonous atmosphere in certain work places. Could not the Chemistry Department play an important part in setting guidelines for safety precautions? Seventeen posts have been abolished from this department. The officers were previously required to inspect ships, and this duty has been transferred to the PSA. May I know the reason for the transfer of the responsibility from the Chemistry Department to the PSA? Furthermore, once these posts have been abolished and the PSA takes over this function, can the PSA personnel suitably inspect the ships? Do they set the same standard as that required by the 17 officers of the Chemistry Department?

Mr Speaker, Sir, there was some dispute between the Port of Singapore Authority and my Ministry on the inspection of ships for what is called "hot work", which means that welding will be allowed in ships when it is declared free of inflammable vapours. For several years the Chemistry Department was responsible for issuing licences for hot work in shipyards. But because of the increasing number of tankers coming into port, the PSA which is responsible for the waters around Singapore believes that the duty of inspecting ships falls upon the Authority rather than on my department. This problem was then studied by the Management Services Department of the Ministry of Finance which recommended that the ship inspection section of the Chemistry Department should be transferred to the PSA. Cabinet approved the transfer to enable the PSA to carry out its function more smoothly. But whether they are able to perform the job better than the Chemistry Department or not, I am in no position to tell. If there are more explosions, then I think the Member for Anson should put this question to the Minister for Communications.

Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 4002. This is the third consecutive year that I am going to speak about metrication. Some Members may wonder why. But let me say one thing - we are not progressing fast enough in the implementation of metrication in all aspects of life in Singapore. Take the markets, for example. We still find weights being measured in katis, tahils, pounds and ounces. The daching - the notorious instrument used by businessmen to swindle consumers - has not changed in the least. When is metrication going to be a feature of life in the markets, particularly? I note that a higher provision is being voted for the Metrication Board as it plans to intensify the pace of metrication in the retail sector. May I also know, besides the retail sector, what other divisions has the Metrication Board in mind to promote metrication in the next financial year?

Mr Speaker, Sir, it was stated in the Addendum to the Presidential Address that metrication in the public sector has been completed more or less and that efforts of the Metrication Board will be directed at the private sector beginning this year. However, before we embark upon this campaign it is necessary that the infrastructure should be laid. It is true that metrication appears to be slow in the private sector but, in reality, if the Member for Anson were to visit supermarkets, emporiums and if he buys petrol at petrol stations, he would have noticed that all measures are now in metric. What has happened, of course, is that we have introduced metrication so gradually and so painlessly that it has not been felt. But we have got to be very careful at the retail trade sector, particularly in the markets where housewives and servants do not fully understand the relationship between the traditional kati and the metric measures of a kilogram. The Metrication Board has come out with a model of a daching calibrated on the metric scale. Unless we first abolish the present daching scale which is calibrated in katis, it is obviously very wrong and foolish of the Metrication Board to suggest introducing two types of dachings, because then housewives would be cheated. Therefore, a considerable amount of propaganda and some legislation may be necessary before we can induce hawkers to convert to the metric system. The Weights and Measures Office, which is attached to the Ministry of Finance, is really concerned with the daching and they have to be consulted. With due consultation it is quite possible that we can abolish the daching and insist on other types of measuring instruments. But if the Member for Anson had experience in dealing with businessmen, traders or hawkers, he will fully understand that regardless of what type of weighing machines we use, there are always ways and means by which dishonest traders can cheat housewives. It is not the metric system or the imperial system that is being used to cheat housewives. It is the machine that is being used. So the Member for Anson has to be a little more patient before we can find effective results next year. In fact, I anticipate that it will take another three to four years before metrication in the markets becomes feasible.

Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $4,314,600 for Head L ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $60,260,000 for Head L ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head M -

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head M be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 1003*. (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Teong Eng Siong, L. P. Rodrigo, Sim Boon Woo, P. Govindaswamy and N. Govindasamy.) Sir, before I bring up my points with regard to the question of our foreign affairs, I would like to quote from the President's speech on 21st February, 1975, as contained in Hansard, [Vol. 34, No. 1, col. 10] on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: `Our foreign policy must take into consideration the new situation arising from the gradual scaling down of American and Western military presence in the region. The overwhelming Western influence in the region has been correspondingly reduced. This will lead other powers to seek greater influence for themselves in the area. It will be important to cooperate with our neighbours to safeguard our common interest. ASEAN can play an important role in lessening the leverage the great powers can otherwise have in exploiting differences and conflicts within the region. It can also quicken the pace of regional co-operation and economic development. This in turn will strengthen stability and peace in the area. ASEAN can help member states adjust to the rapid geo-political changes in the region as the consequences of American withdrawal from direct involvement with the problems of Indo-China work themselves through, and a regional balance is established without any great power hegemony. ASEAN will soon have a permanent Secretariat which will coordinate the many regional economic, social and cultural projects being implemented.' Sir, in the debate on the President's Address on 25th February, I had referred to this particular aspect of foreign affairs. I am more concerned with the question of regional cooperation and I am happy to see that a permanent Secretariat for ASEAN will be established although, as stated very broadly, its functions primarily will be to co- ordinate the many regional, economic, social and cultural projects to be implemented. 4.15 p.m. I would like to ask the Hon. Minister for Law and National Development, who is the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, what are the scope and functions of this ASEAN Permanent Secretariat to be set up? I am fully in support of the policy stand as laid down in the Addendum to the President's speech with regard to our foreign policy. I believe that ASEAN, since its inception, has progressed to the extent that the relationship among its member-states is getting closer, both bilaterally and regionally. In that respect, ASEAN will have a very important role to play in global affairs. As such, how and in what way can this Permanent Secretariat help ASEAN to achieve this objective? I would like the Minister concerned to elaborate on it.

(In Mandarin): Sir, undeniably, our efforts in matters of foreign affairs have reaped considerable success in recent years. Because of our foreign policy of non-alignment, we have now won the general friendship and good relationship with our neighbouring countries. In addition to our original ties of mutual contact with our neighbouring countries in this region, we are now having more ties by setting up bilateral relations with West Asian countries for the promotion of mutual interests. At the moment we are living in a world in which every one is mutually dependent on the other. Therefore, for the sake of survival and in the long-term interests, we must be more careful and active in carrying out our foreign policy to win more friends and to get more benefits. For these reasons, I would like to ask the Minister two questions: (1) What more active foreign policy measures will the Ministry carry out to promote friendly relations with West Asian countries in order to get the benefits of mutual trade. (2) In what countries will our foreign consulates and embassies be established?

Mr Speaker, Sir, under this Head, I wish to raise a matter of policy affecting the interests of our ambassadors and mission staff serving in our missions abroad. I refer to the question of citizenship status of children of the ambassadors and mission staff born abroad. As you know, the provisions on citizenship in the Constitution provides for citizenship status by birth, by descent and by registration. Only a child born in Singapore of a citizen parent is a citizen by birth. A child born abroad is a citizen only if the child's father at the time of the child's birth is a citizen by birth or by registration. A further provision requires that a minor becoming a citizen by descent must take the oath of renunciation, loyalty and allegiance to the State within one year after reaching the age of 21 years, and that if such a child does not on reaching adulthood make this oath of allegiance he loses his citizenship status completely. Our ambassadors and mission staff abroad are serving the country and sometimes under stress and tension, not to mention the frustrations which the officials from the Treasury from time to time manufacture for our mission staff abroad. Obviously our ambassadors and mission staff are considered loyal since they represent our nation in national matters in the international scene. Yet their children born abroad are citizens by descent and suffer the adverse presumption of disloyalty since the child on reaching adulthood would have to make an oath of renunciation and of allegiance and loyalty to the State. Now even criminals serving in prison have the satisfaction despite their overt disloyalty to the State and country, of having their children born citizens of Singapore by birth and that too in a State-subsidised hospital. But our ambassadors and mission staff in this respect, you might say, come off much worse than criminals. Further, as I have noted earlier, the child born abroad is a citizen only if the child's father at the time of the child's birth is himself a citizen by birth or registration. This is a recent amendment which makes it more unfavourable for the child of an ambassador or a mission staff born abroad. Since the child of a mission staff born abroad would be a citizen by descent, that child on reaching adulthood and marrying and, in turn, having a child who is born abroad would not be a citizen at all. This works out most unfavourably for our ambassadors and their staff abroad. In other words, there is an in-built deterrence in this situation which prevents or discourages officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs serving abroad from advising their children to serve in the Foreign Service abroad in future, because the grandchild will not be a citizen at all, if born abroad in the future. The solution to this freak situation, as it appears to me, is to amend the Constitution to include a proviso, as it has been done in other Constitutions, to make the child born abroad a citizen by birth if, at the time of the child's birth, his father himself is a citizen and in the service of the State. Aside of that I do not see how this problem can be solved, apart from taking the course of action of making it possible for the wife of the ambassador or the mission staff serving abroad to come back to Singapore for the birth of her child. This, of course, would entail considerable expenses and the officials in the Treasury would shrink back in horror. It is unfortunate that this unpleasant situation has been allowed to go on to this date, and I would urge the Minister to take measures to remedy this situation in fairness to our ambassadors and mission staff presently serving abroad and who may be serving in the future.

Mr Barker, would you like to answer these questions first?

Yes, Sir. With your permission, I would rather deal with three of them instead of six at one go. First, the Member for Punggol who is interested in the ASEAN Secretariat. From its modest beginning in 1967 when the ASEAN Declaration was signed in Bangkok, ASEAN has steadily grown into an effective and lively regional organisation. ASEAN has now 11 Permanent Committees and seven Ad Hoc Special Committees to deal with the ever-increasing activities which come within the ambit of intra-regional cooperation. However, ASEAN has not remained closed and exclusive. ASEAN continues to seek close contact and cooperation with its immediate neighbours as well as with other nations and regions. ASEAN has now established an official dialogue with the EEC, Australia and New Zealand. Even the United States is also keen to have such a dialogue with ASEAN. Until now, these varied activities of ASEAN were dealt with by the national secretariats in the member-countries, and as ASEAN grows these activities will also widen in scope and character. The time has therefore come for ASEAN to have a central Permanent Secretariat to coordinate all these activities. Hence, the decision of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers to establish such a secretariat for ASEAN in Jakarta is not only another indication of the viability and permanency of ASEAN but also of the need to streamline and to coordinate its growing activities. In January this year a meeting of the ASEAN senior officials from the establishment of the Secretariat was held in Thailand, and it was decided tentatively amongst other things that the proposed Secretariat shall be a compact and efficient body designed to meet the needs of ASEAN. The Secretariat will have a Secretary-General whose rank will be equivalent to that of an Ambas sador; three Bureau Directors responsible for economic, science and technology, social and cultural matters, will assist the Secretary-General. The other staff of the proposed Secretariat consist of a Foreign Trade and Economic Relations Officer, an Administrative Officer, a Public Information Officer, two Auditors and an Assistant to the Secretary-General. Serving Government officials in the ASEAN countries will be selected to fill the various posts in the proposed central Secretariat. It is hoped that this Secretariat may come into being some time this year. 4.30 p.m. In reply to the Member for Sembawang - the provision of $2 million has been entered under subhead BAA 4001 for staff and expenses for established missions abroad. The creation of new posts of Ambassadors as and when the need arises will be made by the issue of an Establishment Warrant. This is necessary because, until a firm decision has been reached to establish a new mission, it will be pointless to provide for more posts of Ambassadors. One of the major difficulties in setting up missions abroad is to find persons of calibre and experience to fill Head of Mission appointments. Therefore, the provision of $2 million is adequate for any urgent expenditure that might be required in setting up missions before recourse has to be made to the Treasury for additional funds. The Member for Sembawang is interested in West Asia. The Government recognises the position West Asia now holds internationally, and the Ministry will therefore spare no effort in, creating goodwill between Singapore and West Asia and will actively encourage official and private visits to West Asia to seek more areas of cooperation with the countries there. If manpower and finance permit, it is the intention to establish diplomatic missions in two or three countries of West Asia and to complement residential home-based staff with a system of Consuls or Honorary Consuls. The Member for Serangoon Gardens has a point. Under Article 55 (1) of the Singapore Constitution, a child of a member of our foreign office staff born abroad and registered at a consulate or embassy of Singapore becomes a Singapore citizen by descent. However, I am aware that foreign service officers, who are parents of children born abroad and by registration become citizens by descent, are disturbed by this. The reason is that, under the provisions of Article 55 (2) of the Constitution, a minor who becomes a citizen of Singapore by descent may lose his citizenship status if he does not take the oath of renunciation, allegiance and loyalty in the prescribed manner and within the stipulated period, which is within 12 months after reaching the age of 21 years. These officers rightly feel that since they are required by Government to serve abroad, their children born outside Singapore should enjoy the same citizenship status as the children of home civil service officers born in Singapore. I consider this to be a proper matter for the Ministry concerned to look into with a view to finding out ways and means whereby foreign service officers' children born outside Singapore could, by registration at a Singapore consulate or embassy, become citizens of Singapore by birth rather than by descent.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the deteriorating situation in Vietnam and Cambodia and the absence of US forces in the region, particularly in South-east Asia, and the very recent announcement by the new Thailand Prime Minister-designate that the 25,000 US troops will have to be pulled out from Thailand - all these appear to me to cause a threat to the security of the countries in South-east Asia and Singapore - would the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs inform this House what alternative arrangements will be made to fill the vacuum, and is any military arrangement being considered by ASEAN to safeguard the security and political stability of its member-countries?

Sir, whether American troops withdraw from Thailand or not is a matter for the Thais and Americans. As for the conflict in Indo-China, it is an internal matter for the people of these countries to decide. We are witnessing a civil war between two parties. In dealing with each country, our Government has consistently adopted a policy of non-interference and has recognised the government in situ as the government in power, irrespective of its ideology. In our view the security of Southeast Asia is best ensured by the existence of a multi-polar balance of power. The presence of a number of powers including the major powers will enable Singapore to safeguard its sovereignty and independence since the choice of alignment with individual states on particular issues would depend on the merits of each case. On the other hand, single power hegemony may mean that our freedom of action could be limited by the need to avoid antagonising the dominant power even when our interests are adversely affected. As for ASEAN, there are no multilateral military arrangements being considered by the member countries. Each country maintains its own defence forces. ASEAN's most useful role would be to serve as a catalyst for regional economic integration and assist in fostering closer links between Southeast Asian leaders.

Mr Speaker, Sir, a few days ago our Foreign Minister led a delegation to China. May I express my regards for a successful mission by this important delegation. May I know the purpose of this trip and the benefits it will bring to Singapore? May I also ask to what extent will it help to Improve relations with the Republic of China, and will it help to establish diplomatic relations between Singapore and China? I feel this is the right time to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries. We have been neglecting a country that is too huge to be neglected. In fact, it has been neglected too long, just because of a few countries in the West and maybe in the East too. Sir, sometime ago the Shah of Iran visited Singapore. Before that a Singapore delegation visited the Middle East countries. This is a good sign. What have we done so far in furthering or improving our relations with the Middle East countries? The Middle East counries are now playing a very crucial part in world trade and world politics. It is high time that Singapore too played an important part in bettering trade relations and diplomatic relations with the various Middle East countries. We do stand to benefit a very great deal by establishing a close relationship with these countries. Sir, every year a few ASEAN training awards are given and a few of our local personnel have been trained overseas. May I know how many awards have been given so far, and how it has benefited Singapore as far as foreign policy is concerned? Is there any scheme whatsoever to increase the number of training awards or to send our personnel on longer periods of training to gain more experience in foreign policy, etc.? Sir, I would also like to know the recent meetings of our ASEAN partners on the controversial issue of the safe passage in the Straits of Malacca. What new formula for the safe passage of the Straits has been proposed? How far has Singapore's trade been affected by these restrictive regulations which are being considered? Do we stand to gain or lose by these new regulations? Could the Minister elaborate on the subject?

Sir, if the Member for Anson wants to know what purpose is served by the trip to the People's Republic of China by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, perhaps he should wait for his return. In the meanwhile, I will do my best to answer. Sir, in fact, this is the first visit by a Singapore Minister to China. It has provided a useful opportunity for an exchange of views on international, regional and bilateral matters. This visit has enabled the Minister to engage in face-to-face discussions with members of the Chinese Government and they must have obtained a clearer understanding of Singapore. Another beneficial aspect of the visit is that it has enabled the two sides to discuss ways and means of expanding trade with each other. Our Government has stated on several occasions that we recognise the People's Republic of China. However, we shall wait for our closest neighbours to establish diplomatic relations before doing so. In the meanwhile, exchanges of visits and every other form of cooperation will be explored. We have, in fact, had several exchanges of sports teams since Singapore responded to participate in the Afro-Asian Table Tennis Tournament in 1971. The Chinese badminton team has been here, and so has their soccer team. Sixteen delegations from professional and business organisations have visited China since 1971 and there will be more such visits this year. Extensive trade ties exist with China. In fact, China is our 12th largest trading partner. As for improving relations with West Asian countries, I have nothing further to add to what 1 have said in reply to the Member for Sembawang. As for ASEAN awards, my Parliamentary Secretary will give the Member for Anson more information in a little while. As for the Straits of Malacca, I have partly answered the queries earlier this afternoon. But perhaps I should repeat that the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore met in Singapore in February to consider and agree upon measures to enhance the safety of navigation in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore with particular reference to the safe passage of Very Large Crude Carriers. The meeting did not discuss matters pertaining to the status of the Straits, the three countries agreeing that the proper forum for this question is the Law of the Sea Conference, now in progress at Geneva. 4.45 p.m. As a result of the meeting, a Traffic Separation Scheme for the Straits is expected to be implemented. Experts of the three countries are studying the details involved. Essentially, the Scheme demarcates certain areas in the Straits for vessels in passage, with the objective of avoiding collisions. It will be implemented in such a manner as to minimise disruption to traffic through the Straits; the whole objective being the avoidance or minimization of collisions and accidents. It has been recognised that owing to the depth of the Straits and other topographical factors, there is a limit to the physical capacity of the Straits to carry very large vessels exceeding a certain draught. A group of technical experts from the three countries has been formed to study the limitations that should be imposed on these vessels and to submit recommendations to the Ministers. With your permission, Sir, could I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs to answer the question on ASEAN awards?

Yes.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I notice that the Member for Punggol also has an amendment (The amendment standing in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting reads as follows:(3) That the sum to be allocated for Head M be reduced by $10 in respect of Head AAA 4001.) on the same subject. Could the Member for Anson therefore wait until the Member for Punggol has spoken, when I will then deal with the whole subject?

Yes.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in rising to speak after the Members for Sembawang and Anson, I find that they have covered the subject from A to Z that I have nothing else to comment.

Sir, in view of the reply given by the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

At this stage I propose to take a suspension. Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

Order. I suspend the Sitting and shall take the Chair again at 5.20 p.m. Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.47 p.m. until 5.20 p.m. Sitting resumed at 5.20 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek your consent, and the general assent of the House to move the motion+ standing in the name of the Minister for Finance as it appears on the Order Paper. + The motion reads as follows: That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, the second and third readings of both the Supply Bill for the financial year 1st April, 1975 to 31st March, 1976, and the Supplementary Supply Bill for the financial year 1st April, 1974 to 31st March, 1975, may, in that order, be proceeded with immediately on the conclusion of the proceedings on the Main and Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1975 to 31st March, 1976,

I give my consent. Do I have the general assent of Members for the Minister to move the motion? Hon. Members indicated assent. Resolved, That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, the second and third readings of both the Supply Bill for the financial year 1st April, 1975 to 31st March 1976, and the Supplementary Supply Bill for the financial year 1st April, 1974 to 31st March, 1975, may, in that order be proceeded with immediately on the conclusion of the proceedings on the Main and Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1975 to 31st March, 1976.' - [Mr B. W. Barker].

Debate in Committee of Supply resumed.

Head M (contd.) -

Sir, 1 beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head M be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BAA 1105. Sir, we have established quite a number of embassies and missions abroad since our independence. But may I ask whether they are sufficiently staffed? I understand that nearly all our missions are understaffed and overworked. If that is so, can something be done to improve the situation? Sir, I would like to know what measures our officials abroad are taking to attract trade, tourism and other economic benefits to our country? I would like to know the various activities that are being undertaken by all our embassies abroad. Sir, 1 wonder whether the Government has any plans to open up any more new embassies abroad in the near future. If the answer is yes, may we know where they are going to be?

Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is that as Singapore is a small country with relatively small financial resources, care has to be taken to ensure that there is full utilisation not only of manpower but also of public funds. It has been the policy necessarily for our missions to have a small staff, unlike larger nations with different budget priorities who are willing to have a large set-up. Every one of our overseas officers is expected to pull his weight and work hard as with his counterparts in the civil service in Singapore. Thus, while it is generally true that the staff in our missions work hard, it would only be during periods of intense activity when they may be considered to be overworked, and this is also the case in Singapore. Generally, the staffing position is good, as established posts are filled even if this is at the expense of Headquarters. There is a constant review of work of individual missions and the staffing is increased where demand and priorities make this necessary. Since the introduction of the Foreign Service Scheme proper with effect from 1st June, 1972, the Ministry has been actively recruiting its own staff and returning seconded officers who had not opted to join the Foreign Service back to their parent services. In Division I, because of high standards and requirements, recruitment levels have not caught up with annual expansion and the number of officers returning to their parent services. In Division II, the percentage of vacancies is less and recruitment is done mainly to meet annual expansion. Divisions III and IV continue to be drawn from the home civil service as these are not career grades in the Foreign Service. Therefore, it can be generally said that the majority of our overseas missions are not understaffed although they may be working extra hard. As for the opening of new embassies, I mentioned earlier that we intend to open two or three in West Asia and there might be one or two more elsewhere.

Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head M be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 4001. Sir, in moving this amendment, I rise merely to seek information with regard to the number of ASEAN training awards given to member-countries. I would be grateful if the Hon. Minister or his Parliamentary Secretary would enlighten this House as to the number of such awards given in the past year and at what levels, the reciprocal measures taken, and what benefit does Singapore derive from them.

Mr Speaker, Sir, since 1971, Singapore has offered a total of 166 ASEAN training awards in 55 courses to the other ASEAN countries. I regret to say that the response to our offers of training under Singapore's ASEAN Training Awards Scheme during the past four years has not been phenomenal. Fifty-six of the training awards offered by Singapore were taken up by the other ASEAN countries. However, I am pleased to inform the House that as we increase the number of offers of training the response has also been better. We hope that by considerably in-creasing the number of awards and by giving more notice of the awards and greater publicity to the offers, we may achieve better results. For the financial year 1975-76, we will be offering more than 100 training awards in 36 courses, and again not duplicating the fields of training offered by Singapore under the Colombo Plan so as to make available a wider choice of courses. 5.30 p.m. As in the past, the courses we are offering under Singapore's ASEAN Training Awards Scheme for 1975-76 cover many subjects such as public health, public utilities, engineering, industrial training, port management and laboratory techniques. These are fields which Singapore can be said to have acquired considerable experience and expertise and which will serve to complement the efforts of our ASEAN neighbours in these fields. We have also increased the attractiveness of Singapore's ASEAN Training Awards Scheme by granting the participants a living allowance ranging from S$400 to S$500 a month depending on the type and level of training. Where fees are payable or books or equipment required, these will be provided by the Singapore Government. Medical and dental facilities in accordance with current regulations will also be made available to the trainees, if required.

Sir, in view of the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment, standing in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting, was not proceeded with: (4) That the total sum to be allocated for Head M in respect of the Main Estimates be reduced by $100. The sum of $25,566,470 for Head M ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. Head N -

(In Mandarin): Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 1003 (The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs P. Govindaswamy and Ivan Baptist.). Sir, on the 21st February, 1975, the President made his policy speech in this House. In the Addendum on the Ministry of Labour, it is stated that the Ministry will amend the Employment Act to allow young persons between 14 and 16 years of age to work in industrial establishments without the prior approval of the Commissioner for Labour. That means they will be free to be employed in commercial or industrial establishments. This is a good proposal and will enable young persons to take on some light jobs. Sir, in the past few years, we find that more and more youths are roaming about in the streets. It is mainly because they cannot pass the Primary School Leaving Examination and therefore cannot be promoted to higher classes. These youngsters are not willing to be apprenticed in factories. So they while away their time in the streets doing nothing. This situation has given cause for concern to the parents and has also created a kind of social burden to our society. If this situation is not remedied by certain corrective measures and allowed to deteriorate, then in the end the number of delinquent crimes will increase. Therefore, the proposed amendment to the Employment Act by the Ministry of Labour will, I am sure, meet with the general approval of the parents. The training of young persons to enable them to acquire a skill instead of roaming about in the streets, so that they can make a contribution to the economic development of our country, is something that is very good because it will also help them in their future life. But these youngsters are still of tender age and their physique is not strong enough for heavy labour. So the department concerned should pay attention to this. I would like to ask the Minister concerned what kind of measures the department will take in order to safeguard the interests of these youngsters, and what are the plans to train these youngsters after which they can be employed in factories or commercial establishments so that their welfare may be looked after.

Mr Speaker, Sir, with the present threats of retrenchment in Singapore, may I know whether we are still issuing work permits to unskilled persons such as factory hands, domestic servants, drivers, clerks, etc.? What effort is being made to reduce the number of foreigners working in Singapore?

Sir, there is an appropriate subhead, Work Permits, and if the Member for Anson could raise this question under Work Permits, I would be happy to answer.

I am speaking under the subhead of the Minister for Labour.

You may carry on, Mr Govindaswamy.

Sir, far too many companies make no effort to recruit local personnel or do not make sufficient efforts to train local personnel; thus ensuring security of jobs for the foreigners. What steps are being taken to ensure that the commercial sector recruits local personnel or train Singa poreans sufficiently to take over the jobs of these foreigners? At a time when foreign countries are facing periods of recession and economic depression, I do not see any reason why we should encourage foreigners to take the jobs of our local citizens. The present regulation requiring non-citizens earning less than $750 to apply for work permits is inadequate and totally out of proportion to present working conditions. I feel that all non-citizens, irrespective of the quantum of salary should be issued with work permits, as is being done in most countries. $750 is not a great amount or a proper gauge to draw a line between those persons who require work permits and those who do not. Sir, it is a wise move to encourage the young to go to work. This move will reduce the number of delinquents roaming the streets aimlessly. In fact, if this move had been carried out earlier we would not be faced with so many problems of delinquency as we are facing at present. Sir, the daily-rated workers who have been playing a very important part in our development schemes since the late 40's appear to be dissatisfied with the quan tum of payment due on their retirement. It is a known fact that when they retire, they will be paid a gratuity of 20 days' pay for each year of service rendered. This was the agreement reached in the late 40's and there has been no change since then. With the present standard of living, surely this mere 20 days' pay for each year of service rendered is too little for the many years of loyal service they have rendered. I would suggest that the Minister review this quantum of payment and pay these poor workers a reasonable sum in order that they can survive after their retirement. I have to mention this because I have received numerous complaints from daily-rated workers who have retired and have found life very difficult. So I hope the Minister will look into this matter.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the recent Committee on Crime and Delinquency has found that the requirement in which young persons seeking employment in industry must obtain certificates of registration from the Commissioner for Labour has contributed to the delinquency of young school dropouts. In the light of this, the Committee has recommended that the Employment Act be amended to allow children between the ages of 14 and 16 to seek employment in industrial undertakings without having to obtain the approval of the Labour Ministry. The Government has accepted this recommendation and my Ministry is consequently taking action to amend the Employment Act to allow those between the ages of 14 and 16 to work in industrial undertakings without having to obtain the prior approval of the Commissioner for Labour. The Committee believes that this measure will reduce delinquency among the young and afford opportunity for them to gain industrial training which will better equip them for gainful employment at a later stage. I note that the Member for Sembawang also shares this view. As he may be aware, the Ministry of Labour will in addition be amending the Employment Act in order to allow children between the ages of 12 and 14 to work in industrial undertakings if they are engaged to work under approved apprenticeship schemes. This amendment is being made to enable children who are unable to pursue academic education to take up apprenticeship employment, and thus prevent them from falling into juvenile delinquency. I wish to assure the Member that the Ministry will not lose sight of the need to ensure that the safety, health and welfare of these young workers are adequately protected, when eliminating the requirement for young persons to obtain the approval of the Commissioner for Labour to work in industrial undertakings. The existing provisions relating to safety, health and welfare of the employment of children and young persons as presently embodied in the Employment Act will be consolidated and re-enacted under the new regulations relating to the employment of children and young persons, which will be made under the Employment Act. 5.45 p.m. To ensure that employers comply, provisions will be made in the regulations for heavy penalties to be imposed on employers employing children and young persons contrary to the provisions of the regulations. It is not practical for the Ministry of Labour to run any scheme of practical training for any young persons prior to allowing them to work in industrial undertakings. Nor has it the resources, manpower and expertise to undertake such massive and varied training. Rather, the prospective employer should in his own interest introduce such a practical scheme relevant to his own industrial undertaking. I would, however, like to point out that children and young persons can avail themselves of the various training programmes and apprenticeship scheme presently run by the Industrial Training Board and other statutory bodies before taking up employment in industrial undertakings. The Member for Anson has expressed concern over foreigners taking on jobs in the Republic which he feels should be offered to our citizens. I wish to assure him that work permit policies are formulated with the interests of our citizens in mind and taking into consideration the manpower requirements of our industries. The Ministry will continue to issue work permits to skilled workers, especially for those industries in which the local supply is insufficient. As for the semi-skilled or unskilled jobs, work permits will only be granted if the Ministry is satisfied that these are jobs which Singaporeans themselves do not want or if they are unavailable. The Member may wish to know that foreign workers constitute only a small proportion of the Republic's total labour force. However, to further reduce our reliance on foreign labour, it is necessary for us to attract more capital-intensive and higher technology industries and to develop sufficient local skills to meet the manpower requirements of industries. In this connection, the Industrial Training Board has stepped up its technical courses and apprenticeship training scheme. The Member also feels that the salary limit of $750 per month, by which non-citizens have to apply for work permits, is inadequate and out of proportion to present day working conditions. I do not think this ceiling of $750 has been overtaken by events, as it cannot be said that wages for the unskilled and semi-skilled have generally gone beyond this figure. According to Central Provident Fund statistics, about 86% of about 622,000 employed persons at the end of December, 1974, earn less than $750 per month, inclusive of overtime and other allowances. The ceiling of $750 is therefore still adequate for the purpose of regulating the employment of non-citizen workers for the unskilled and semiskilled categories. Regarding the reviewing of the quantum of gratuity for daily-rated workers, I take it that the Member for Anson is referring to daily-rated workers in the public sector. These public daily-rated workers are well represented by trade unions which are affiliated to the NTUC. Therefore, any proposed revision of the gratuity scheme should be taken up with the appropriate authority by the respective unions through the normal collective bargaining process.

(In Mandarin): Sir, the Minister has given a detailed reply, and I am very satisfied with it. I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 1105. Singapore boasts of progressive labour laws and an industrial relation system that has, by and large, brought benefits to our workers. The beneficiaries have, in the main, been organised workers who enjoy the protection of the democratic trade union movement and the various benefits that the labour laws confer on them. But there is a large group of unorganised contract workers who do not enjoy any benefits. According to the Labour Force Survey of Singapore 1974 there is a total of about 42,500 persons employed in the construction industry alone, of whom some 34,800 or nearly 83% earn under $399 per month. There is also a large number of contract workers in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing, transport and other industries. In the absence of any statistical information, the total number of contract workers in all industries in Singapore is not exactly known. Contract workers, by the nature of their work, are termed casual or temporary workers because of the fact that their job is either insecure or seasonal. They are further not employed by the principal contractors but by sub-contractors, or even sub-sub-contractors. They work in the open - particularly in the construction industry - and are victims of the vagaries of the weather. When it rains, for instance, they cannot work which means that they are not paid for the period they are unable to work, because of circumstances beyond their control. Further, they work extremely long hours and are not paid overtime rates, nor do they enjoy such benefits as holidays, rest days and annual leave. And above all, whilst other workers enjoy the benefits of CPF contributions, the contract workers are denied this benefit. Why should these workers be left high and dry in their old age? And why should the contractors escape from the liability, as other employers do, to contribute to the CPF? There is no reason why the actual earnings of these workers for the period they have worked should not form the basis of CPF contributions. If it is argued that there are administrative difficulties and problems in implementing a system to ensure this, such an argument is, in my view, untenable. Surely it is not beyond our ingenuity or the capacity of the Ministry of Labour to devise a scheme for the registration of all contractors and contract workers and to ensure that contract workers are supplied from a registered pool of workers. This would facilitate keeping track of the distribution of contract workers by employers, their wages and their earnings. I must emphasise, Sir, that contract workers comprise a significantly large group of our workers and that they, through hard and gruelling work in trying circumstances, contribute so much to the development of Singapore, evidence of which can be so clearly seen in the modern, high-rise buildings all over Singapore. There are, in addition, some labour contractors, who have on their rolls, large work forces, who have worked for them continuously for long periods of two, three or more years. And yet they are called temporary workers and denied the opportunities to join trade unions and enjoy the various benefits prescribed in our labour laws. And the contractors concerned get away scot-free from their obligations. I am somewhat surprised at the silence of the Ministry of Labour in dealing with such labour contractors. It is, however, heartening to note that the Labour Ministry is reorganising its conciliation machinery by setting up an Industrial Relations Division to provide conciliation services as well as preventive mediation to eliminate areas of industrial friction. Preventive mediation is the corner-stone of industrial relations. This was recognised in the past, but in the last few years the Labour Ministry has not given due attention to this area. Far too often the emphasis has been on the letter of the law. I am not suggesting that the law should not be observed. There should not, however, by any insistence that the legal procedures should be followed when immediate and urgent action should be taken to prevent a dispute from blowing up into something serious. The NTUC and its affiliates have always recognised the importance of preventive mediation for industrial peace and stability and we, therefore, welcome the Ministry's policies in this regard. On the subject of CPF contributions, I would like to make further observations. The Central Provident Fund Act has been in existence for a long time, and the contributors to the Fund have always been workers and their employers. The time has now come to consider the enlargement of the scope of the Fund which has become a major source of savings. The savings generated by the scheme have both economic and social connotations which have brought benefits to all classes of people in our society and not only the workers. This being so, I do not see why certain privileged classes of our people, such as those who derive income from a trade, business, profession or vocation, should not contribute their share in boosting national savings from which they are all already accruing benefits. The Central Provident Fund Act provides powers to the Minister to make regulations in this regard and I would ask that consideration be given for introducing such regulations. 6.00 p.m.

(In Mandarin): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, members of the CPF are allowed permission to make use of their contribution to buy Housing Board fiats. This scheme was implemented about two years ago. However, such members are not allowed to make use of their contribution to purchase private housing units. Generally speaking, this scheme generally benefits the CPF members by permitting them to make use in advance of whatever savings they have in the CPF to buy Housing Board flats. In this regard, I wish to air certain views. Members of the CPF have deposits in the CPF belonging to them in the same way that we have deposits in the bank. Whatever deposits have been credited in the bank, the depositors are at liberty to make use of whatever money they have in the bank. But in the case of contributions in the CPF, although the money belongs to the members, the Government has imposed certain restrictions on the use of these contributions. One restriction which has been lifted is in respect of purchase of Housing and Development Board flats. But they are not allowed to make use of these contributions, which are actually their money, to buy private housing units. There is, therefore, a certain amount of discrimination. Some members of the CPF may not like to buy HDB flats as they prefer to buy private houses in localities of their own choice. Therefore, I think members of the CPF should be given the liberty to exercise their right on how to use their money in the purchase of houses. I would ask the Minister to consider giving permission to members of the CPF to buy private houses.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the hon. Member for Boon Teck has urged the Ministry to ensure that in the re-organised set-up of the Industrial Relations Division, preventive mediation should play an effective role in preventing trade disputes. I would like to assure him that this is what we intend to do. Emphasis will be placed on preventive rather than conciliation work. The Preventive Mediation Section will seek to diffuse and eliminate nascent areas of friction between labour and management before they develop to the stage of dispute, work stoppages or strikes. It will help both parties to develop a continuing good relationship through the elimination of disruptive practices and the evolution of sound in-plant policies. Mr Deputy Speaker, contract labour has been in existence ever since immigrant labour was brought in on a large scale from China and India in the mid-19th century. The development and growth of Singapore to its present eminence as the most developed of the developing countries in Asia with the highest GNP per capita outside Japan and the fourth largest port in the world owe in no small measure upon the backs of contract labour. Our industrialisation programme, public housing and school building programmes, would not have been so successful had it not been for the valuable contribution of contract labour. Because of the relatively high productivity, mobility and flexibility, contract labour has been found to be invaluable especially in such labour-intensive industries as the building construction and shipbuilding and ship, repairing industries where volume of work is subject to severe fluctuation thereby making the maintenance of a large standing permanent work force uneconomic. I do not think the system of contract labour can be abolished at our present stage of economic development. In fact, I notice that more and more public works are let out on contract. The question is: are our contract workers being ruthlessly exploited today as in the fifties or the early sixties? I do not deny that there may have been certain instances of exploitation of these contract workers by some unscrupulous employers. However, I suggest that in a tight labour market situation, the recent retrenchment notwithstanding, it is not possible for an employer to continue exploiting his workers ruthlessly and in-humanly without losing his workers to another. True, some contract workers, because of the casual nature of their job, may not be enjoying certain benefits such as CPF, paid holidays, paid annual leave, paid sick leave, etc. However, it must also be admitted that this takes place sometimes with mutual consent between employer and employee. The Central Provident Fund Act lays down explicitly the liabilities of employers and the entitlement of employees. The contract worker, if he wants to, can always complain to the Ministry of non-payment of CPF by his employer. Very often he does not because he is a party to this non-payment, preferring to have more take-home pay than save for his old age. Similarly, in respect of paid holidays, annual leave and paid sick leave which are provided in the Employment Act, the contract worker can always seek redress from the Labour Ministry. The fact that this is not done is because of the relatively higher pay for contract workers and the relative freedom of working as and when they please. This, of course, does not mean that the Labour Ministry will not intervene on the side of the contract worker especially if he is unskilled, old and immobile and thereby being heavily exploited. In the last analysis, the consciousness of the workers of his rights and responsibilities is crucial in the struggle against exploitation, and the best safeguard against ruthless exploitation lies in trade unionism. I therefore urge the unions in the NTUC to carry out more vigorously its task of educating the workers in general, to heighten their political and social consciousness and to recruit them into their fold for the well-being of the workers. Mr Deputy Speaker, the Central Provident Fund was set up to provide workers with benefits in their old age through the accumulation of compulsory savings based on a percentage of their wages. For obvious reasons, the self-employed workers and professionals have not been brought within the CPF scheme. Firstly, it is difficult to ascertain the monthly income of the self-employed worker. Secondly, the need for compulsory savings for old age does not arise in the case of, for example, self-employed professionals who by virtue of their relatively higher income and education can well look after themselves. There may be a number of non-employees who require old age benefits, but due to the nature of their undertaking in terms of earning capacity insistence on contributions can reduce the viability of their ventures, even though such contributions will be to their long term benefit. It is therefore not proposed at present to bring self-employed workers and professionals within the ambit of the CPF Act. As I have explained just now, the Central Provident Fund was established to provide compulsory savings for workers for their old age or when they become permanently disabled. It would be inconsistent with this objective if members are permitted to use their credit in the fund as ready sources of finance for any other purpose, such as acquiring properties for investment or speculation. However, two exceptions have been made in respect of flats built by the Government under its public housing programme. Members with family incomes up to $1,500 per month have been using their CPF credit under the approved housing scheme to acquire flats constructed by the Housing and Development Board or the Jurong Town Corporation, while those with family incomes of up to $4,000 per month will be able to utilise part of their credit to acquire middle-income fiats built by the Housing and Urban Development Co. (Pte) Ltd. In both these instances, the flats must be occupied by the members and their families. The construction of these properties is not oriented towards profit on a commercial basis. 6.15 p.m. In addition, there are provisions in both schemes for the restoration of the members' CPF accounts should the ownership of the property be changed so that their protection against old age or permanent disability is still valid. These two housing schemes go a long way to assist the great majority in acquiring property for owner-occupation. The Ministry, therefore, has no intention of allowing the use of CPF for the purchase of private houses.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in view of the satisfactory reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Ammendment, by leave, withdrawn.

(In Mandarin): Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead ACA 1111. Sir, I would like to raise two questions under this amendment. The first question relates to the registration of applications for work permits. I have received many complaints from various quarters about the difficulties people encounter in the application for work permits. The people who apply for work permits include barbers, clerks, shop assistants, drivers, waiters or waitresses in restaurants and other catering services. As I understand it, the difficulties encountered by barbers had already been considered by the Singapore Barbers Association. The Association has requested the Ministry to relax the regulations on the issue of work permits in view of the shortage of barbers in Singapore. The younger barbers have already changed jobs. They have found greener pastures elsewhere. The older barbers are dying out. So it is necessary for barber shops to recruit barbers from outside Singapore, otherwise they will have to close shop in no time. Unfortunately, the Work Permits Office does not seem to have taken into account the difficulties encountered by the barber shops. I would like to appeal to the Minister to sympathetically consider the applications for work permits from barbers, so that barber shops in Singapore will be able to solve the present shortage of barbers. Secondly, the question of applications for marriage between non-citizens and citizens. In my Meet-the-People sessions, I receive many complaints from my constituents on this matter. For example, a male citizen came to me one day and told me that he had applied for permission to marry a non-citizen from Malaysia, but was rejected on the ground that his fiancee had been holding a work permit for only three years. This period is two years short of the required period stipulated by the Government. I attempted to persuade him to wait for two more years before marrying. I also told him that young people should not marry too early. I advised him to firmly establish himself first before getting married. But he replied that it would be impossible in his particular case because he was already 31 years old and his fiancee was 26 years old, and that the parents of both parties desired them to marry early. He also said he was quite established, earning quite a handsome income and would be able to raise a family. He told me also that his fiancee was prepared to return the work permit with the undertaking that she would not apply for another work permit. It was on this ground that he asked for permission to marry. But my advice to him was to no avail. I would like to appeal to the Minister to relax the restriction in special cases, or even in general cases, by reducing the five-year period to three years. In this way people in love will be able to get married earlier, and our Minister will be a very popular Minister. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, another similar case was brought to my attention. The same requirement applies to a blue identity card holder, who is a non-citizen, wanting to marry a citizen. In this particular case, although the person i5 a non-citizen he is a permanent resident holding a blue identity card, and he is still required to apply for permission. I wonder whether this requirement is really necessary.

(In Mandarin): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have not filed an amendment on this subhead. But having listened to my colleague, the Member for Sembawang, asking for a relaxation on the issue of work permits for barbers, I must say that similar complaints have been brought to my attention. I feel that although some barber shops are able to employ male barbers, somehow they prefer to employ female barbers. So there is something going on in the barber business! I would like to ask the Minister to pay special attention to this matter. If at all relaxation is to be considered, then it should be in favour of male barbers rather than female barbers. This matter should he carefully considered.

(In Mandarin): Mr Deputy Speaker. Sir, I feel that there is a little bit of male chauvinism in the Member for Bras Basah.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Member for Sembawang wishes to know whether the Ministry will relax its policy with regard to the issue of work permits to shop assistants, clerks and barbers. If the Member for Sembawang is referring to those shop assistants who are employed in provision shops and groceries, it is admitted that traders may be facing difficulties in engaging and retaining them. The reasons are not far to seek. It is a fact that shop assistants have to work long hours and in poor working conditions. Given the present shortage of skilled manpower in our industries and the emphasis on skill-intensive and high-technology industries in our industrial development strategy, it is of vital importance that the manpower requirement of our industries should first be met. Towards this end the Government has been granting work permits liberally to workers seeking employment in factories and other industrial undertakings. Hence, white-collar jobs and soft jobs in the service sectors, such as clerks, shop assistants, salesmen and salesgirls are given low priority. It is expected that this position would remain for some time to come. Notwithstanding this, the Work Permits Office has granted work permits, though in a limited number, to shop assistants and other white-collar jobs in deserving cases. The Ministry is keeping a close watch over the employment situation of shop assistants and if need be the Ministry is prepared to review the situation. In regard to the employment of barbers, it is a fact that few Singaporeans are interested in taking up such employment. The Member for Sembawang may wish to know that my Ministry has not been unduly restrictive in granting work permits to non-citizen barbers working in Singapore. According to our records, there are about 676 non-citizen barbers on work permit at the end of December 1974. However, to ensure that the applicants have at least the requisite skill in the occupation for which they have applied for, work permits are only granted to those barbers who have passed a practical test conducted by the Adult Education Board. Since the implementation of this testing scheme in November last year, a total of 92 applicants have been referred, of which to-date 81 have passed the test and subsequently granted work permits. The Member for Sembawang may perhaps recall that the primary objective of imposing the marriage restriction scheme was to discourage workers on work permit from marrying early before they are fully adjusted to life in our Republic. With effect from 1st July, 1973, a condition was accordingly imposed requiring all work permit holders, having less than five years of continuous employment in Singapore, to seek the prior approval of the Commissioner for Employment before he or she marries a Singapore citizen. As this scheme has only been implemented one and a half years ago, my Ministry deems it a bit too premature at this juncture to consider reducing the five-year qualification for such cases. Perhaps I should take this opportunity to clarify that the five-year work permit requirement is not the end-all criteria for approving marriage applications. This requirement is waived in respect of skilled work permit holders who are in possession of an acceptable diploma or degree or who have passed a skill evaluation test conducted by the industrial Training Board. 6.30 p.m. These skilled work permit holders, in addition to having their marriage applications approved, are also granted three-year work permits and will be immediately eligible for permanent residence upon completion of two or more years of employment in the Republic. In addition, those who have satisfied the residential qualification of 10 years may be granted citizenship. Therefore, it is open to those who desire their marriage to be approved without waiting for the full five years to make every effort to improve or upgrade their skills so as to qualify for a waiving of this requirement.

(In Mandarin): Sir, I would like the Minister to clarify further. If a citizen wants to marry a permanent resident who holds a blue identity card, is it necessary for him to get the approval of the Commissioner for Employment?

Sir, I do not think it is necessary to apply to the Commissioner for Employment. But if the couple wants to do so, I cannot help it.

(In Mandarin): Sir, it is a very good reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead ADA 1111. Sir, the quantum of workmen's compensation will be increased. Unfortunately, too many of our workers are contract workers and many contractors are not good employers. By this, I mean that they do not take out proper insurance policies to cover their workers, and in case of accident these workers who may be disabled are left to their own wits and at their own expense to survive. It is high time we introduced a compulsory insurance scheme for all workers, irrespective of whether they are monthly paid, daily paid, contract workers or permanent workers, so that no worker working in Singapore will leave his family stranded if he meets with an accident, or worse still, if he is disabled or die in the accident.

Sir, the Member for Anson may recall that in 1971 this House approved amendments to the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, 1955. One of the major amendments was the provision that required every employer to compulsorily take out an insurance policy to cover all his workers. The penalty for failure to insure is a fine not exceeding $4,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both fine and imprisonment. The new Workmen's Compensation Bill already presented in Parliament retains this provision for compulsory insurance. The Member may be interested to know that only two accident cases of failure of employers to insure their workers were reported to the Ministry in 1974, and both were fatal cases. One of the employers, who is a small-time sub-contractor, has agreed to pay by instalments the compensation amounting to $14,976. The other employer has disputed liability and the case has been referred to arbitration. The Ministry is looking into the question of prosecution of these two employers.

Sir, since it is compulsory for employers to take out an insurance policy to cover their workers, the Ministry of Labour should carry out checks on employers to see that they have actually taken out insurance cover for their employers. However, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AEA 1201. Sir, may I have your permission to range over amendment (7)*, because the matter I would like to touch oil under these two subheads is inter-related. * The amendment standing in the names of Messrs Ho See Beng, Chin Harn Tong, N. Govindasamy and Cheong Yuen Chee reads as follows: (7) That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AGA 1111.

All right, Mr Ho.

Sir, I would like to seek clarification from the Minister concerned. I noticed from the Main Estimates that in the head of expenditure Labour Ministry there are two sections, namely, Industrial Relations Section and the Seamen's Industrial Relations Section. As far as I am aware, all industrial disputes between management and labour are referred to the Ministry of Labour for conciliation if both parties are unable to reach agreement. Therefore, I would like to know whether these two industrial relations sections are performing identical functions, or are they performing different functions? If they are doing different functions why are the names the same?

Sir, the Member for Bras Basal: may recall that prior to 1960 there were two posts, a Seamen's Welfare Officer of an Executive Officer grade and a Seamen's Industrial Relations Officer of the same grade, under the charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. In January 1960, the two posts were amalgamated and upgraded to HEO (Seamen's Welfare). This post was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Labour in 1961, and it has since appeared in the Estimates of the Ministry under the Seamen's Industrial Relations Section. This Section deals with matters relating to the welfare of seamen including resolving disputes between them and their employers. Because of the different and multifarious nature of the sea career, employment of Singapore seamen is not governed by the Employment Act. They are recruited through the National Maritime Board and are bound by the individual contracts of service made between them and the shipping companies or their agents. In addition, Singapore seamen engaged on Singapore-registered vessels are also partly governed by the Merchant Shipping Act which contains the provision for the adjudication of disputes by the Shipping Master. Whenever there is a complaint of a breach of contract or an internal dispute, the Seamen's Welfare Officer is called upon to effect a settlement, and this is often done in association with the National Maritime Board and the Mercantile Marine Office. Apart from this, he assists seamen in their claim against their employers for wages and other benefits due to them. A seaman in doubt can also seek his advice on interpretation and clarification of specific terms and conditions of their contract with the ship owners. The Seamen's Welfare Officer works in close liaison with Foreign Ministry officials to assist Singapore seamen in distress while in foreign countries. If need be, he also refers seamen to the Legal Aid Bureau or the Social Welfare Department for assistance. I agree with the Member that the nomenclature used for the Seamen's Industrial Relations Section tends to be misleading, and is often confused with the functions of the Industrial Relations Section of the Ministry of Labour. It is proposed that a review be made on the role and functions of the Seamen's Industrial Relations Section and also its possible transfer to the National Maritime Board. Perhaps that would sufficiently answer the Member's question.

Sir, in view of the satisfactory reply, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy -

Mr P. Govindaswamy is not here. Mr Ho, do you still wish to move amendment (7)*? (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Ho See Beng, N. Govindasamy and Cheong Yuen Chee.)

No, Sir.

Mr Chin, amendment (7).

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AGA 1111 * ( * The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Ho See Beng, N. Govindasamy and Cheong Yuen Chee) In so moving, I have in mind the state of industrial relations in the Republic for which the Ministry of Labour is responsible. In my view the administration of Industrial Relations in Singapore by the Ministry leaves room for improvement. It is for this reason that I was happy to note in the Addendum to the President's speech at the opening of Parliament that the Ministry intended to reorganise itself and, among other things, set up an Industrial Relations Division with more punch than the existing industrial Relations Section. But after reading through the Budget estimates for the Ministry, I begin to have doubts about the Ministry again. For one thing, the Ministry has up to now not said one word as to when the proposed Industrial Relations Division will be set up. If the Budget estimates are a reliable guide, it would appear that the Ministry has no intention of setting Lip the proposed Division during 1975. The proposed Division was, reportedly, to he staffed by more high level officers. But the estimates show that, during the financial year 1975, the number of Division I posts in the Head Office of the Ministry is to be reduced from 11 to 7, and the number of Division I posts in the existing Industrial Relations Section remains at 2. It is only natural that I begin to wonder where the high-level staff, necessary to give added strength to the Ministry's Industrial Relations Division, are to come from. 6.45 p.m. There are three probable explanations. One is that the extra personnel is to be found at the expense of the other sections of the Ministry. The second is that there is no intention to set up the proposed Division in 1975. The third is that the decision was taken too late for the Budget estimates to be revised. I personally hope that a supplementary budget appropriation later this year will prove my third explanation to be correct. In any event, whatever the true explanation may be, the air of uncertainty over the Ministry's proposed Industrial Relations Division serves to confirm my dissatisfaction with the Ministry on its handling of industrial matters. Singapore depends on its human resources, including labour, for survival and success. Thus great importance has been placed on the concept of tripartite cooperation in Singapore. I would have thought that the Ministry would pay chose attention to the supervision of industrial affairs and would give careful consideration to the ways and means of improving industrial affairs. If it is so, then it would not have been necessary for the belated decision on the reorganisation of the Industrial Relations Section. It would appear that either the Ministry does not give sufficient thought to industrial matters or the officers dealing with industrial matters are lacking in enthusiasm. As Members of this House may he aware, the enactment of various employment legislation in 1968 had effectively removed certain industrial matters out of the scope of negotiation between employers and employees, and then vested these matters wholly within the discretion of employers, the Minister or the Industrial Arbitration Court. Now, one of these matters is the retrenchment of employees. Recently, a constituent complained to me that he was unfairly retrenched by a prominent hotel and that his trade union could not do anything for him except to secure his retrenchment benefit which was quite substantial. He wanted work, not money payment. I investigated into the matter and found that the management transferred him to another section of the hotel and he was working there for a short time until his retrenchment consequent upon the closing down of that section by the management. I have every reason to believe the employee's allegation that the transfer was cynically effected by the management for the purpose of retrenching him and that the management had at the same time engaged new employees for the section he was formerly working in. The retrenched employee in question is healthy, able and willing to work, and has a good work record. His only "crime" is that, after many years of faithful, loyal service, he has reached the top of his wage-scale. It is true that under the existing laws retrenchment is the absolute prerogative of the management. But all the same, the officers of the Ministry, if they want to, can bring their considerable powers of persuasion to bear on employers who abuse their statutory privileges. This House has presumably enacted the far-reaching employment legislation in the belief and expectation that the civil servants responsible for administering the legislation would see to it that erring employers do not take unfair advantage of the situation. It would appear now that such belief and expectation have turned to be mistaken, as the civil servants in question are not able or willing to act as referees and ensure fair play between employers and employees. If it is not possible for civil servants to be effective referees, then it may be time for the Ministry to consider retransferring its quasi-judicial function in industrial matters to a more effective third party such as the Industrial Arbitration Court.

Sir, if you remember, I welcomed the announcement of the Ministry of Labour, during the debate on the President's policy speech, of the decision to set up an. Industrial Relations Division. I then posed a number of questions and made some comments hoping there would be some response. As there was no explanation from the Minister for Labour then, I have got to pose similar questions and make some more comments hoping for clarification. Neither the Main nor the Development Estimates provide for the setting up of an Industrial Relations Division that the Addendum to the President's speech mentioned. It was mentioned then that the Division, would be set up to "provide conciliation services as well as preventive mediation to eliminate areas of industrial friction". Sir, if this Division is to be set up, I welcome the Ministry's intention to obtain high level staff. I would like to caution the Ministry, however, that recruiting staff for Industrial Relations Division is one thing, but recruiting the right calibre of staff, who must not only gain the confidence of management but also of labour, is necessary for the success of the Division. Gaining the confidence of one party at the expense of the other is hound to fail. During the debate on the President's speech, I also made some remarks in respect of the special retrenchment Unit of the Ministry of Labour [col. 96]. I would be grateful for the Minister's comments on what I said then. To refresh his memory, I mentioned that: `We must in a concerted manner take steps to prevent or minimise the impact of retrenchment. These measures are effected within the framework of a rational economic analysis of the retrenchment situation within tripartite relationship of active cooperation between Government, trade unions and employers, with special emphasis placed on increasing productivity through adoption by management of new productivity techniques, skill acquisition by workers and preference given to job deployment and part-time work as against complete retrenchments. Singapore employers whose industries are hit by economic recession should be required, if necessary by legislation, to give the Labour Ministry and the trade unions advance notice of any impending retrenchment exercise. I am aware that the Labour Ministry has advised the industries to do so. But I am doubtful as to how many employers are complying with this request. They should provide the Ministry with a list of workers to be retrenched and the reasons for their action. This would enable the Labour Ministry officials, if necessary with the help of the Economic Development Board, to advise them on how best to tackle the various problems involved. This also will help the Ministry to monitor the labour situation.'

Sir, I wish to express my support for the sentiments expressed by my colleagues, the Members for Telok Blangah and Aljunied, on the necessity of having experienced officials in the Industrial Relations Division that would be set up by the Ministry of Labour. Talking about retrenchment exercises, it is common practice among many employers to take the opportunity to dispense with the so-called trouble makers, the active trade unionists, and so on. This tends to sour up the relationship between the employers and the employees. I would suggest, in support of what the Member for Telok Blangah has said, that certain guidelines be set up for employers to follow, that is, whether they should retrench workers in accordance with priorities and not at the whims and fancies of employers. The recruitment of staff for the Industrial Relations Division is of paramount importance to the trade union movement. From experience we find that whenever a trade union and an employer fail to reach agreement over the negotiation table, they have recourse to the Ministry of Labour, at present the Industrial Relations Section, for conciliation. If they do not have an officer with sufficient experience and who has the confidence of employers or the trade unions, then nothing much can be done. As a result, unions are forced to withdraw the case and take industrial action. At the same time there are several instances where because of the ineffectiveness of the conciliation officer, both parties, the employer and the union, are so disillusioned with the role played by the conciliation officer that they are reluctant to refer any more such cases to the Labour Ministry for conciliation. Another matter I would like to touch on is this. As a trade unionist it would seem to be inappropriate for me to speak in support of the unorganised. As we all are aware, there is still a large group of workers who, for some reason or other, through intimidation or cohesion are unable to organise themselves as a trade union and are thus deprived of the benefits of labour conciliation. 7.00 p.m. The point I would like to touch on is on medical benefits and treatment. Many employers who have employees who are unorganised have taken advantage of the subsidised medical treatment provided by the Ministry of Health in the various Government outpatient clinics or dispensaries. I would like to ask why must the taxpayer subsidise the health service to the benefit of employers who do not maintain a clinic or dispensary within their organisation. If the employees of such employers have to seek medical treatment in a Government outpatient dispensary, they have to wait for long hours before they get any treatment. And upon their return to their place of work, they are reprimanded by their employers for having taken too much time for medical treatment. This category of workers who, as I mentioned earlier that for some reason or other are unable to organise themselves in the trade unions, are at a disadvantage. I would suggest that the Ministry should use section 118 of the Employment Act to compel such employers to maintain a clinic or dispensary within their premises or, if this is not possible, they should employ a panel of doctors or medical practitioners to look after the health of their employees.

Mr Deputy Speaker, the hon. Members of Telok Blangah, Toa Payoh and Aljunied wish to know more about the new Industrial Relations Division set up in the Ministry, in particular, the recruitment of suitable officers. The new Industrial Relations Division has been formed through the bringing together under one administrative control of three separate sections of the Labour Ministry, namely, the Industrial Relations, the Labour Court and the Registry of Trade Unions. The new Division comprises three new key sections, namely, the Conciliation Section, the Preventive Mediation Section, and the Registry of Trade Unions. There is also an office administration unit within the Division. The Conciliation Section comprises two units - one for disputes involving unionised workers, formerly known as the Industrial Relations Section, and the other for disputes involving non-unionised workers, formerly known as the Labour Court. With their functions properly streamlined, the quality of conciliation work rendered by the units should improve. The Preventive Mediation Section is a new section of the Division. It will be involved in preventive mediation as well as labour assessment work. The preventive mediation services to he provided will seek to assist labour and management to develop a continuing harmonious relationship through elimination of disruptive practices and through the development of effective policies which foster better understanding and cooperation. This section will also monitor and assess the state of labour/management relations in the Republic so that early corrective policies can be formulated and industrial grievances resolved promptly. This new Industrial Relations Division, as has been stated earlier, will be headed by a Principal Assistant Secretary who will be assisted by two Assistant Secretaries, four Administrative Assistants, two Senior Executive Officers, four Higher Executive Officers and eight Executive Officers. The Establishment Warrant for the new posts has been approved by the Finance Ministry, which is presently in the process of posting suitable staff to this new Division. As hon. Members are aware, there is a dearth of Administrative and Executive Officers with the necessary experience in industrial relations. However, my Ministry will do its best to ensure that those officers sent by the Finance Ministry will be suited for industrial relations work. If they are found to be unsuitable, and should the need arise, I am sure we can call on personnel in the NTUC for assistance. The existing experienced staff in the former Industrial Relations Section, the Labour Court and Trade Unions Section are being retained in the new Industrial Relations Division to provide continuity. It is hoped that the mix of new Administra- tive Officers and the existing staff will ensure that the quality of services rendered will be maintained and improved. The Member for Aljunied has also expressed concern over the possible abuse of the right of employers to retrench workers. I wish to inform the Member that the Ministry is monitoring the retrenchment situation. Labour officers are being deployed to keep a close tab on the reasons offered by employers for retrenching workers. The services of the Economic Development Board are also called in to assess the health of the particular company concerned so as to ensure that employers are retrenching workers because they are genuinely affected by the current economic situation. Further, the Ministry has made known to employers that they should explore all other means of resolving their temporary difficulties, such as reduction in the number of shifts, shorter working week or shorter working hours, and that a retrenchment exercise would only be embarked upon as a last resort. By and large, employers have been cooperating with the Ministry. Cases of abuse of the right to retrench are an exception rather than the rule. If however, there is abuse of this right, the worker or his union can always complain to the Ministry and the matter will be investigated into. The hon. Member might like to know that the present employment situation is not as bad as in some other countries, given the present world economic situation. Our unemployment rate stands at 4.5% in February 1975. The monthly retrenchment rate has declined from an average of 2,927 workers in the last five months of 1974 to an average of 1,476 in the first two months of 1975. Major industrial countries are expected to experience an economic upturn in the second half of this year. We are expected to feel the beneficial effects in the latter part of 1975 or early 1976. In view of all this, the Ministry is of the view that there is no need to amend the Industrial Relations Act to make retrenchment issues negotiable again.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Minister has just mentioned that there is a dearth of experienced officers. What I would like to clarify is this. It is rather odd that in the past the Ministry of Labour sent several officers overseas for training iii industrial relations, and on their return these officers were posted elsewhere. I believe the hon. Member for Aljunied is one of them.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I am glad that the Member for Toa Payoh has raised this question. I will certainly look into the possibility of re-posting such officers back into the Labour Ministry.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, will this new Division, comprising an amalgamation of three old Sections, ensure that employers do not seek to take industrial relations out of the field of human relations? This tendency is detrimental to worker-management cooperation.

I do not think that situation will arise. If there should be such a tendency, then we will take steps to rectify it.

Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 7.15 p.m.

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AHA 1109. Asbestosis, a form of fibrosis of the lung, is normally due to the inhalation of asbestos fibres and, consequently, any process which gives rise to large amounts of asbestos dust may constitute a health hazard. Much asbestos is being used in industry, especially in the ship-building, building construction and pipe-making sectors. With the increase of these indus- tries in Singapore, much more will be used. The reason why asbestos is used stems from its relative cheapness and its properties, such as resistance to abrasion and heat, its fibrous nature and large surface area. Its high tensile strength and flexibility, on account of the extremely small ultimate diameter of the fibres, gives it properties not yet achieved by any man-made fibres at comparable cost. That asbestos is used in industry because of these reasons and that large amounts of asbestos dust may constitute a health hazard are reasons enough for the Industrial Health Unit to be ever-vigilant when inspecting plants using asbestos. Sir, I am anxious to know whether the incidence of asbestosis, a compensable disease under the Workmen's Compensation Act, is on the increase in Singapore due to its ever-increasing use in Singapore. I am also anxious to know what measures are being taken by the Industrial Health Unit to ensure limiting the possibility of workers contracting asbestosis in industry.

(In Mandarin): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to speak on industrial accidents in Singapore. Sir, industrialisation in Singapore has been very successful over the past few years, particularly in the field of shipbuilding and building construction. As a result of this, industrial accidents have been increasing.

Order. If the Member wants to speak on industrial accidents, perhaps the more appropriate subhead would be the next subhead, "Factory Inspectorate".

Yes.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I think we have just heard a very succinct account by the Member for Potong Pasir of the causes or the ingredients that can lead to asbestosis. From what I am going to say I think he can be rest assured that asbestosis is not on the increase at this stage of our industrial development. Hon. Members will recall that since asbestosis was first listed as a notifiable industrial disease under the Sixth Schedule to the Factories Act, 1973, only two cases of asbestosis were notified and confirmed. Two other suspected cases are being followed up. More recently, from November 1974 to February this year, a medical survey was conducted in the shipyards. Out of a sample examination of 216 workers exposed to asbestosis hazards, only one person was suspected to have asbestosis. From the medical evidence so far available, it can be safely stated that the incidence of asbestosis in Singapore is low. However, this may be due to the fact that asbestosis, like silicosis, requires a fairly long period of exposure, say five to ten years before definite medical evidence appears. The Ministry has taken a number of tests to prevent the occurrence of such a disease. Factories known to have a risk of asbestosis are required to adopt environmental control and medical surveillance measures. In the case of factories with a dust hazard, they are required to introduce dust control measures. All workers exposed to dust are required to have an annual X-ray. Proper respirators must be supplied and worn by workers during their work. Checks made by the Ministry revealed that the working environment has improved greatly.

Sir, from that very reassuring reply by the Hon. Minister of State for Labour, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AlA 1109* (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Ivan Batpist). Sir, we take pride in the fact that we are an industrialised nation. However, I am afraid to state that we are quite backward in the implementation of safety measures for factories. Our Factory Inspectorate is so small that an industrialist can engage in malpractices in his premises for years if he wishes, simply because he knows that no inspector will bother him. Why can we not enlarge the Factory Inspectorate and introduce a service charge, if necessary, for each factory so that the cost of the increase in staff will not be borne by the taxpayer?

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, Part VII of the Factories Act, 1973 (No. 6 of 1973), section 64, empowers the Minister to make it mandatory for an occupier of a factory to employ a competent person to act as a safety officer in a factory. It is essential for some factories to have safety officers because numerous health and safety hazards have to be spotted and controlled. In addition, this move could most certainly limit the number of accidents in industry. I am wondering why the Hon. Minister has not utilised the proviso in this section since this legislation came into force in 1973? Why has the Hon. Minister not considered it necessary to make this recruitment of safety officers mandatory in some accident-prone industries? In addition, this section enables the Minister to stipulate the qualification and training requirements of safety officers. There are many safety officers who, through no fault of their own, arc not qualified and trained enough to be of effective use in the promotion and assurance of safety and health in industry. This necessitates the stipulation of their qualification and training before they are recruited by industry as safety officers. Why has the Hon. Minister, to-date, not stipulated such qualifications and / or training requirements? Section 65 of the same Act requires safety committees to be set up in factories employing 50 or more persons. These committees are to be represented by employees and management. The functions of such committees are also clearly spelt out in this section. Records in relation to the work of such safety committees, like factory inspections, for example, are required to be kept in a register. I will not go into any details with regard to the importance of safety committees and their work. Let the fact that it is a requirement under legislation suffice. However, I would like to know whether the Ministry of Labour is monitoring the work of such safety committees to ensure that they exist not only in name. As far as I am aware, no safety committee registers have been looked into. Is this state of affairs going to continue any longer? It will be close to two years soon since the enactment of the Factories Act, 1973.

(In Mandarin): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, following our success in industrialisation, particularly the rapid development of the shipbuilding and building construction industries, there has been a sharp increase in industrial accidents. As a result many skilled workers have lost their lives, thus causing a great loss of our manpower. This has caused a loss not only to our economy but also a hardship to the bereaved families of the workers concerned. Over the past few years, the problem of industrial accidents has engaged the attention of many Members of this House. My colleagues have repeatedly asked the Minister concerned to take steps to prevent industrial accidents. But unfortunately, Sir, day after day, year after year, nothing seems to have been done to improve the situation. On the contrary, the whole situation seems to have deteriorated. For example, last year there was a very serious explosion at the Jurong Shipyard resulting in the loss of 13 lives. This is just one very clear example of the gravity of the situation. I would, therefore, like to ask the Minister concerned whether any effective steps are being contemplated to prevent industrial accidents and to provide safer working environment for our workers. Last year we heard that because of a shortage of Factory Inspectors it was not possible to carry out more frequent inspections in the factories. One year has elapsed. I wonder whether the problem of manpower shortage has been solved, and whether the Ministry concerned has recruited more Factory Inspectors. If after the lapse of one year the number of Factory Inspectors is still the same, then the manpower shortage in the Factory Inspectorate will be even more serious with the increasing number of factories. It will then be impossible to carry out checks. I have listened to the Member for Potong Pasir who raised similar problems. He has said that although there are mandatory provisions, these have not been enforced even up to this day. This is rather surprising. 7.30 p.m.

Sir, the Member for Potong Pasir has raised some questions relating to safety committees and safety officers. I wish to state that a very comprehensive set of regulations governing the duties and appointment of safety officers has already been drafted. A notification governing the qualifications and training of safety officers has also been drafted. This set of regulations and notification will be enacted in the very near future. The Factory Inspectorate of the Ministry has been keeping a close watch on the effectiveness of safety committees. This is done in two ways. Firstly, the Inspectorate requires occupiers of factories that have to form safety committees to submit the names and particulars of the chairman, secretary and members of the safety committee. Secondly, Inspectors check documents such as the minutes of meetings of safety committees and the Factory Inspector's reports of the safety committees during their routine visit to factories. Feedback information on the effectiveness of the safety committees has been received. They are largely obtained during inspection visits to factories made by the Inspectors. It is hoped that when the regulations governing the duties and appointment of safety officers have been enacted, a greater effort will be made in ensuring safety in the various establishments. Sir, the concern of the Member for Anson was that non-compliance with the safety regulations by employers has been allowed to remain undetected for long periods of time because of the small staff in the Factory Inspectorate. The technical wing of the Factory Inspectorate has a staff of 39 officers comprising the Chief Inspector of Factories, the Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories, two Senior Inspectors of Factories, nine Inspectors of Factories, two Senior Technical Officers, eight Technical Officers and 16 Technicians. Although the technical staff is small and inadequate to cope with the volume of work, nevertheless the Factory Inspectorate has made and will continue to make every effort to ensure that employers observe the safety regulations in their factories. The Factory Inspectorate carried out a total of 7,597 inspections and follow-up visits on the 5,067 registered factories, and 3,063 items on non-compliance were notified to the occupiers in 1974. It seems unlikely that the factory occupiers can engage in malpractice for any long period of time without being discovered, for factories are generally visited once a year. Notwithstanding this, I share the view of the Members for Anson and Sembawang that there is still an urgent need to further increase the staff of the Factory Inspectorate. The Ministry has, in fact, planned to expand the Factory lnspectorate, and it will take the matter up with the appropriate authorities. The Member for Anson has suggested the introduction of a service charge for services performed. I would like to point out that the main function of the Factory Inspectorate is to ensure that employers comply with safety and health standards laid down in the Factories Act. It would therefore not be appropriate to levy a service charge for this. However, the Member may like to know that the Inspectorate does charge a fee of up to $30 for the registration of factories and the annual renewal of their registration. I share with the Member for Sembawang his concern about the high rate of industrial accidents. Industrialisation has brought about a concomitant increase in the rate of industrial accidents in the Republic. The rate of accidents has been the highest in the construction industry and in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry. My Ministry has already taken a number of measures to bring about a reduction in the rate of industrial accidents. Firstly, the existing legislation will be amended to provide for heavier penalties for those who contravene safety and health standards. New regulations will be introduced under the Factories Act providing for the composition and conduct of safety committees and the qualifications, registration and duties of safety officers, as stated earlier. Secondly, the Factory Inspectorate has been expanded and training of staff pursued. The Ministry has also begun the training of safety officers for industry. Thirdly, a bi-monthly newsletter called The New Worker was started in August 1973 to promote safety and health awareness among workers and management. The publication is now published monthly. Another publication A Guide to Safety, Health and Welfare for Factories has gone to print and will be distributed to factories later. In addition, the Ministry is paying special attention to the construction industry and the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry which have the highest rate of accidents. The Ministry has a special unit to look after the problems of safety in the building construction industry. In addition, in 1973 the Ministry set up the Building Construction Safety Committee to advise on measures to curb accidents in the construction industry. This Committee which comprises representatives from Government departments, statutory boards, contractors' associations and professional bodies is making continuous review of safety problems in the construction industry. The Ministry is taking more stringent action on work sites which are found to be unsafe, Work sites which have serious unsafe conditions will be ordered to stop work for rectification of the unsafe conditions. The Member for Sembawang may be aware that my Ministry has also published a Code of Practice on Safety and health at construction work sites and a pictorial of dos and don'ts, a Safety and Health Guide booklet. These publications are distributed free of charge to all concerned in the construction industry. As a result of these measures, fatalities in the construction industry declined from 41 in 1973 to 35 in 1974, a reduction of 15%, whilst the total number of accidents declined from 487 in 1973 to 448 in 1974, a reduction of 9%. Amputation cases registered a drop of 75%. A special unit was set up within the Factory Inspectorate of the Ministry in January this year to specially look into the safety and health measures of the shipbuilding and shiprepairing industry. Soon after its formation, the unit immediately launched an intensive inspection programme covering shipyards. As early as March 1973, the Ministry appointed a study group on accident prevention in the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industry to make an in-depth study into the causes and nature of accidents in this industry and to recommend preventive and remedial measures. After two years of exhaustive study and deliberation, the study group completed its report and presented it to the Ministry on 15th March, 1975. The Ministry is now studying the recommendations of the study group. The report of the study group runs into 70() pages and it is bound into four volumes. I invite interested Members to make a study of the report and give me their suggestions. However, Sir, industrial accident prevention is a tripartite affair that calls for the concerted effort of labour, management and the Government. If cooperation is forthcoming from workers and management, one can hope to see a reduction in the rate of industrial accidents in our factories.

Sir, I am most grateful and thankful to the Minister for giving me this very useful information that the regulations are nearly ready and will be introduced soon. But what I am interested to know is how soon will they be introduced. In addition, I would like to refer the Hon. Minister to my debate on the President's Address in which 1 stated that the Ministry should look into this business of greater regulation or greater self-regulation, and I quoted the examples of the United States of America and the United Kingdom. It is important for us to realise that we need tripartite cooperation. It will also be essential that greater self-regulation be introduced into health and safety at work.

Sir, as I have said, the regulations have been drafted and, as soon as vetting is completed, it will be published.

Sir, the Minister has just said that if the contractors or the industries fail to comply with certain safety measures, the' will be required to cease operations. During the period of cessation, I think an added penalty should be imposed on these employers, and the employees should be paid for the duration that they are asked to stop work, until such time as the Ministry is satisfied that adequate safety measures are provided for. 7.45 p.m.

Mr Deputy Speaker, I have noted the point and will take that into consideration.

Sir, the Minister has given a very long explanation, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AKA 1111. Sir, as a result of the current recession many industries have to retrench their employees in large numbers. It is fortunate for us that many of these workers who lost their jobs are not the main breadwinners. Most of them arc girls or women. In fact, few took the trouble to register themselves at the Employment Exchange for new jobs. Even in my Meet-the-People sessions, barely a handful come to look for jobs. We should commend the Employment Service for having performed a magnificent job in registering and finding alternative employment for the jobless. However, during this period of recession more employers will take the opportunity to get rid of the middle-aged and white collar workers. With the increase in road tax and other disincentives to potential car ownership, two large motor dealer firms have already taken steps to retrench as much as 25% of their staff, mainly sales and white collar workers. These categories of workers will have more difficulty in finding alternative employment. At present the Employment Service has no mandatory power to direct employers to recruit workers from this Service. Although unemployment has not reached a serious level, we should now take remedial steps. I suggest that the Ministry should put into operation the provision of section 111 of the Employment Act requiring all employers to recruit workers from the Employment Service.

Sir, it is precisely for the reasons enumerated by the Member for Toa Payoh that we do not consider it necessary at present to invoke section 111 (b). As mentioned by the Minister for Labour earlier on, the unemployment rate stands at 4.5% in February this year. The monthly retrenchment rate has declined from an average of 2,927 workers in the last five months of 1974 to an average of 1,476 in the first two months of this year. Major industrial countries are expected to experience an economic up, turn in the second half of this year. We are expected to feel the beneficial effects in the latter part of this year or early next year. So the Ministry is, therefore, continuing with the present system of generally allowing employees and employers to choose their own methods of looking for jobs or workers.

Sir, surely the Minister of State realises that, as we all know, there will be more retrenchment exercises. I would say that by enforcing this provision of the Employment Act, it will at least caution employers to be more careful in retrenching workers. In other words, if they retrench the workers they may end up later by having to recruit the same workers back from the Employment Service. This provision will act as a sort of deterrent to employers who have any intention of retrenching staff.

Sir, I think the Minister for Labour has earlier on touched on this question of retrenchment. We do not feel that it is necessary to do more than what is being done at this moment, because we do not want to rush into something which is not really necessary. As I have said, we are expecting the situation to improve as the days go by.

Sir, I am not at all very happy with the reply, but anyway I wish to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr J. F. Conceicao: (11) That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead ABA 2620.

Mr Conceicao is not here. The sum of $8,037,160 for Head N ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $2,307,000 for Head N ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. 7.54 p.m.

Since it is only a few minutes to the Moment of Interruption I would suggest that, with Members' general assent, I invite the Minister report progress and to move the adjournment. Hon. Members indicated assent. Thereupon Mr Deputy Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and look the Chair of the House.

Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Main and Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1975 to 31st March, 1976, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.

So be it.

Resolved "That Parliament do now adjourn." [Mr Ong Pang Boon]. Adjourned accordingly at Five minutes to Eight o'clock p.m.