Hansard, 1975-11-11

Under the provisions of clause 2 (d) of Article 30 of the Constitution of Singapore, I have granted permission to the following Members to be or to remain absent from sittings of Parliament (or any Committee of Parliament to which they have been appointed) for the periods stated: Mr Fong Sip Chee (Stamford), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour - from 25th August to 5th September, 1975. Haji Ya'acob bin Mohamed (Kampong Ubi), Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office - from 26th August to 31st October and from 10th November to 9th December, 1975. Mr Hwang Soo Jin (Jalan Kayu) - from 30th August to 21st September, 1975. Mr Ivan Baptist (Potong Pasir) - from 31st August to 17th September, 1975. Mr Lee Khoon Choy (Hong Lim), Minister of State for Foreign Affairs - from 2nd to 5th September and from 13th to 26th September, 1975. Mr Phey Yew Kok (Boon Teck) - from 2nd to 10th September and from 8th to 14th October, 1975. Haji Sha'ari bin Tadin (Kampong Chai Chee), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture - from 6th to 15th September, 1975. Mr Yong Nyuk Lin (Geylang West), Minister - from 15th September to 31st December, 1975. Mr Sim Boon Woo (Changi) - from 19th September to 10th October, 1975. Mr Tang See Chim (Chua Chu Kang), Deputy Speaker, - from 22nd September to 17th October, 1975. Mr N. Govindasamy (Telok Blangah) - from 28th September to 14th October, 1975. Mr Chin Ham Tong (Aljunied) - from 4th to 6th October, 1975. Mr Phua Bah Lee (Tampines), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence - from 5th to 14th October, 1975. Mr Ng Yeow Chong (Mountbatten) - from 13th to 19th October, 1975. Mr Ho See Beng (Bras Basah) - from 20th to 31st October, 1975. Mr Lai Tha Chai (Henderson) - from 24th October to 22nd November, 1975. Mr Jek Yeun Thong (Queenstown), Minister for Culture - from 26th October to 14th November, 1975. Mr Sia Kah Hui (Upper Serangoon), Minister of State for Labour and Government Whip - from 26th October to 10th November, 1975. Mr Lee Yiok Seng (Bukit Panjang) - from 26th October to 29th November, 1975. Mr S. Rajaratnam (Kampong Glam), Minister for Foreign Affairs - from 1st to 4th November, 1975. Mr E. W. Barker (Tanglin), Minister for Law and the Environment - on 11th November, 1975. Mr Ho Kah Leong (Jurong) - from 15th to 22nd November, 1975. Dr Chiang Hai Ding (Ulu Pandan) - from 15th November to 2nd December, 1975. YEOH GHIM SENG Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

The following Bills were assented to by the President of the Republic of Singapore on the dates stated: 21st August, 1975 Companies (Amendment) Bill. 25th August, 1975 (i) Singapore Armed Forces (Amendment) Bill; (ii) Enlistment (Amendment) Bill; (iii) Moneylenders (Amendment) Bill; (iv) Maintenance Orders (Reciprocal Enforcement) Bill; (v) Pineapple Industry (Amendment) Bill; (vi) Workmen's Compensation Bill; (vii) Parking Places (Surcharge) Bill; (viii) Economic Expansion Incentives (Relief from Income Tax) (Amendment) Bill; and (ix) Rubber Estates Assessment (Repeat) Bill. 26th August, 1975 Water Pollution Control and Drainage Bill 11th September, 1975 (i) Planning (Amendment) Bill; (ii) Administration of Muslim Law (Amendment) Bill; (iii) Criminal Justice (temporary Provisions) (Amendments) Bill; and (iv) Tourist Promotion Board (Amendment) Bill; and 12th September, 1975 (i) Port of Singapore Authority (Amendment) Bill; and (ii) Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises Bill. YEOH GHIM SENG Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

asked the Minister of Defence whether, as a result of experience or through any research studies, there can be traced any significant correlation between achievement in national service on the one hand, and on the other (i) number of years of schooling previously; (ii) academic ability shown previously; (iii) any training (including professional training) acquired previously; and (iv) previous work experience.

Mr Speaker, Sir, experience shows that there is an association between a soldier's performance and his educational background. Army commanders prefer better educated soldiers because they know that whether these men are riflemen, storemen, medical orderlies, clerks or cooks, experience has confirmed that better educated soldiers are easier to instruct, carry out their orders and daily chores with fewer mistakes and generally pose fewer disciplinary problems. In the past there have been research studies conducted by the Personnel Research and Educational Department of Mindef to evaluate how useful criteria such as education level and IQ test performances have proved in assigning recruits to various army vocations. Statistical computation shows that a significant level of correlation exists between performance in course results and education level. If we take education level and IQ results together, the correlation is even better than education level alone. In February 1973 the study covered five vocations - clerk (class II), pay clerks, technical storemen, linesmen and recce troopers. At other times similar studies have been made in respect of other vocations, both in the army and navy as well as in the officer cadet courses. As expected, the association between performance in these courses and education level is statistically significant. These studies will be made available to the hon. Member if he wants them. Regarding the second part of the Member's question, that is, relating to training and work experience, these are taken into account in assigning recruits to military vocations. Naturally, training and experience in a particular civilian vocation would result in better performance in the SAF in related vocations, particularly in technical vocations such as mechanics, electricians, draughtsmen, fitters and so on. However, it often happens that the supply of technically trained recruits in particular lines exceeds the requirement for that intake. When this happens, the surplus will have to be assigned to other vocations.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Minister whether national servicemen are assigned to jobs according to their educational qualification. I would like to cite an example. A national serviceman who is an architect is assigned to the Navy where he is required to teach the men how to maintain ship's machinery. This assignment is irrelevant to his line of education. If he were assigned to the Architect Division, his knowledge would be put to proper and better use. I hope the Minister will give consideration to this point.

Sir, of course, there are many lines of education for which there is no equivalent work in the armed forces. Architecture is one of them. True, we can make use of the architect in a civilian role but then he will not be doing national service. He will be doing civilian work. What about Mathematics? How do we employ mathematicians in the armed forces as mathematicians? So, in many vocations, they are assigned to do combat work. In fact, for most University graduates, the policy is to assign them to an appropriate combat arm where they will be trained in the officer cadet school so that eventually they can provide leadership in the SAF.

asked the Minister for Health (a) what is the number of local and foreign doctors in the Government hospitals; (b) what is the daily average number of persons referred to those hospitals and how many doctors attend to those cases; (c) whether the number of doctors in those hospitals is sufficient to cope with the cases referred; and (d) what steps are being taken to recruit more doctors.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the numbers of local doctors and foreign doctors in the Government hospitals are 319 and 71 respectively. I have given to the Clerk of Parliament a list* (*See Appendix, cols 1311-2) of hospitals which spells out the number of outpatient attendances, admissions and the number of doctors allocated to each of these hospitals. I presume the Member for Anson has been given a copy also. It is not possible to give these attendance figures in greater detail as the amount of work that the doctors are engaged in the hospitals are varied in character. They, unlike the general practitioners in private practice, are involved in looking after cases which general practitioners are unable to look at, and they are therefore preoccupied with investigative work. The total number of doctors in each hospital therefore is only part of the answer to the question asked for by the Member for Anson. Whether the number of doctors is sufficient to cope with the cases referred, it is impossible to give a positive or definitive reply. I am afraid that there are no standards against which it can be determined whether there are enough doctors for any particular type of work. But it is true that it is possible to reallocate doctors so that the doctors are posted to units where there are shortages and where demand is great.

Sir, may I know whether the figures given in the list are correct? According to the list, the daily average number of outpatient attendances is 210 for the Toa Payoh Hospital and 1,023 for the Singapore General Hospital. I would like to know whether the figure of 210 attendances for the Toa Payoh Hospital is correct or not.

Sir, I think the Member for Anson does not realise that the Singapore General Hospital has 1,500 beds whereas the Toa Payoh Hospital has only 450 beds. That explains the difference. Secondly, it is true that the number of Accidents and Emergency attendances at Toa Payoh Hospital .has increased considerably this year as against last year's figures for the simple reason that we are reorganising the Accidents and Emergency Units in all hospitals. We know that the Accidents and Emergency Unit is a very sensitive unit and that it is considered unpopular or is a cinderella in all hospitals. But we are going to make sure that all housemen and medical officers spend some time in this unit as it gives them a broad scope of training. The figures which I have given in the list apply to the year 1974. I do not have the 1975 figures. DOCTORS' ATTENDANCES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS (Cols 1311-1312)

asked the Minister for Labour if he will consider the utilisation of Central Provident Fund contributions by contributors to purchase "Executive Flats" built by the Jurong Town Corporation.

Mr Speaker, Sir, this is not the first time that the Member for Jurong has raised this question, and I am afraid I have to disappoint him again. The Central Provident Fund is established to provide compulsory savings for workers for their old age or when they become permanently disabled. The Government has, however, allowed members of the Fund to use their CPF savings and contributions to buy publicly built flats. Under the Central Provident Fund (Approved Housing Scheme) Regulations, 1968, members of the Fund are allowed to use their CPF contributions to buy flats built by the Housing and Development Board and the Jurong Town Corporation for the lower income group. Members of the Fund in the middle income group on the other hand are allowed under the Central Provident Fund (Approved Middle Income Housing Scheme) Regulations, 1975, to use their share of the CPF contributions to buy flats built by the Housing and Urban Development Co. (Pte) Ltd. These two housing schemes go a long way to assist a great majority of citizens in purchasing a flat. In view of this, it has been decided not to extend the use of CPF contributions for the purchase of other properties. I therefore regret to inform the Member for Jurong that CPF contributions will not be allowed to be used for the purchase of executive flats built by the Jurong Town Corporation.

(In Mandarin): Sir, if you will recall, when I raised this question some time ago the situation was quite different. At that time the HUDC had not yet been established. But today the HUDC is in existence and its object is to provide housing for the middle income group. Those in the middle income group are allowed to use their share of the CPF contributions to purchase flats built by the HUDC. What is the difference between the flats built by the JTC and the HUDC? The flats are almost the same. And since CPF contributions can be used for the purchase of HUDC flats, why is it that CPF contributions cannot be similarly used to purchase flats built by the JTC? Es this not some sort of discrimination against flats built by JTC for people living in JTC estates? I think that we should not deny people living in Jurong Town the opportunity to -

Mr Ho, what is your supplementary question?

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am coming to it. My supplementary question is this. On the assumption that the Government has no intention to allow members of the Fund to use their contributions for the purchase of executive flats built by the JTC, does the Government then intend to allot a piece of land for HUDC to build flats for the middle-income group in Jurong Town?

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not in charge of the allocation of land to the Jurong Town Corporation. The Member for Jurong should direct his question to the appropriate authority. The same point has been raised by the Member for Jurong at the time of the last Budget debate and I think the Finance Minister had already answered his point. The position has not changed very much. In fact, I would say the position has improved with the HUDC scheme. So I do not think the Government is prepared to deviate further from the objectives of the Central Provident Fund.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications (a) if he will elaborate on the proposed livestock farming industry on the lands acquired in Punggol; (b) if he will indicate the number of applications from both farmers and other enterprises to set up such industry; (c) when such industry will be set up and become both operational and productive; (d) how many poultry farmers in the area have been affected by the scheme; how many of them have been allowed to remain and continue such farming activity and under what terms; and whether he will consider making available bigger land areas to those poultry farmers to expand their poultry farming; and (e) how many families are to be resettled and what is the total sum of ex gratia payments paid out so far.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in order to reduce pollution from pig waste, it was decided to resettle pig farms from the Kranji/Pandan catchment to non-catchment areas. For this purpose:- 599 hectares in Punggol/Serangoon 253 hectares in Jalan Kayu and 184 hectares in Tampines have been acquired. The Punggol/Serangoon area has been designated for intensive pig farming. It is the intention to resettle 640 large pig farms from Kranji to this area. They keep a total of 180,000 pigs or 84% of the total pig population in Kranji. So far, 214 of them have applied for land at Punggol and 67 have been allocated land there. Development of 254 hectares for pig farming in the Lorong Buang Kok area is almost completed and resettlement of farmers from Kranji has begun. Sixty-live hectares have been earmarked for large commercial pig farms. This will offset any short fall in pig production that may result from the resettlement exercise. Twenty-five investors have applied for commercial lots, nine of whom have been approved. Construction of farm holdings has begun and the pig farms are expected to be operational by mid-1976. Further allocations of resettlement lands will be made as and when the newly developed areas are ready to take in farmers. Ninety-one poultry farms in Punggol are affected by the development of the area for intensive pig farming. Sixty-two of them, keeping a total of 406,594 poultry, are allowed to remain subject to their maximising the use of the land for farming activities. They will not be given more land to expand poultry keeping, as the priority for land use there is for pig rearing. They will be allowed, however, to keep pigs in addition to rearing poultry. Two hundred and ninety-one families including 45 farmers have to move from the area under development. The total amount of ex gratia compensation paid out so far is $1.8 million. For the remaining areas census survey has yet to be carried out and, therefore, no details of the resettlement cases are available.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sure the Hon. Senior Minister of State for National Development will not disagree with me that eggs and poultry are a basic necessity of the people of Singapore. Would he not then consider encouraging the expansion and development of poultry farming when the opportunity presents itself? In putting my supplementary question I have taken into consideration the second last part of his answer that no more land will be given.

Sir, Singapore at the moment is self-sufficient in poultry and eggs. In my answer I have indicated that 62 poultry farms are allowed to remain and they are encouraged to maximise the use of their land. In this respect they are expected to increase their production of poultry, and they should not use their land for non-farming purposes. The Primary Production Department officials will be available to advise and assist existing farmers on maximising the use of their land for farming. The plots of land allocated to the existing farmers are sufficient, according to the statistics that have been surveyed, to allow them to expand their existing poultry activities. In fact, we will encourage them, if they choose to, to go into pig farming on the existing land. But if they intend to go beyond the small scale into commercial pig rearing, they will have to apply for additional lots outside their present lots.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am just wondering whether the Senior Minister of State could inform the House how permanent would the areas in Jalan Kayu and Punggol be acquired as an agricultural area.

Sir, according to the Master Plan, which is reasonably stable, the area designated is for agriculture, in particular, poultry and intensive pig farming. But what the future will be - whether the Master Plan will suffice for five or 10 years - is subject to periodical reviews every five years. As we can see at the moment there is no likelihood of an alternative in the small island of Singapore.

As permanent as possible!

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications when tracks in Trafalgar Estate and Jalan Seranggong Kechil will be metalled under the Kampong Roads Scheme, and what the cost will be.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the metalling of tracks in Trafalgar Estate is being carried out in three phases. Metalling of 1.1 kilometres of tracks was completed in May 1975 at a cost of $64,570 and work on another 924 metres of tracks costing $48,450 is due to start soon. It will be completed in two to three months' time. The metalling of the remaining 1.2 kilometres of tracks will be considered next year. The Member for Punggol may be interested to know that his constituency has already committed to spend $141,000 against the allocated sum of $79,819 for this financial year under the URSC vote.

Thank you very much.

The metalling of 655 metres of tracks at Jalan Seranggong Kechil costing $50,250 is to be completed soon, and work on another 655 metres of tracks estimated to cost $35,400 will commence at the end of this month.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether he is aware of numerous requests for an actuated signal system to be installed at the junction of Lim Ah Pin Road and Upper Serangoon Road as a result of several accidents that had occurred in the area in the past few years, and if he will consider having such a system installed as soon as is practicable so as to provide better safety to all road users in the area.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the traffic pattern at the junction mentioned was restudied a few weeks ago, and I am glad to inform the Member for Punggol that installation of a vehicle actuated signal system at this junction is included in the 1976/77 traffic signal programme

asked the Minister for Culture (a) what turnover rate there has been in the Broadcasting Division in respect of Division I officers in 1973, 1974 and the first ten months of 1975; and (b) whether any vacancies in Division I posts exist, and what steps are being taken to fill those vacancies.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the turnover rate is as follows: Turnover Rate of Divsion I officers Resignations Appointments (1 Engineer ) (1 Senior Technical Officer) 1973 4 (1 Producer ) 1 (Producer) (1 News Editor ) (1 Accountant ) (1 Engineer ) 1974 4 (1 Producer ) 2 (Producers) (1 News Editor) (1 Producer ) 1975 1 (Producer) 5 (1 Engineer ) (Jan- (2 Editors ) Oct) (1 Senior Reporter) The vacancy position is as follows: No. of % age of Vacancies Establistment Producer/Assistant Producer 11 11.8 Editor/Sub-Editor 5 (including 1 13.1 Sub-editor leaving in December) Senior Reporter/Reporter 1 8.3 A recruitment exercise is currently in progress for the post of Editor/Sub-Editor and Senior Reporter/Reporter. The closing date for applications was 31st October 1975. It is hoped that the vacancies can be filled by the end of this year. A promotion exercise will be launched in the near future for the majority of the vacancies in the post of Producer for serving Assistant Producers and Assistant Producer for serving Division III officers with Production experience. Outstanding vacancies will be filled by recruitment/ad hoc appointments whenever suitable candidates are found. Generally, however, new recruits are able to contribute only after six months in service. In the Engineering Section, the Department has presently four vacancies out of a total establishment of 22 in the grade of Senior Technical Officer. Since there is a promotional post for serving Senior Technicians and Technical Officers, a service-wide promotion exercise is being conducted by the Public Service Commission and this should also be completed by December 1975.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know whether the Acting Minister for Culture would care to answer this question. Is he aware that sometimes there are slip-ups in the reading of the news bulletin over the FM stereo service at the 6.30 p.m. as well as the 7.00 o'clock news? There was an occasion when I heard the 6.30 news over the FM transmission, but when the news was repeated at 7.00 p.m., the reader said, "The time is now 6.30 p.m. Here is the news."

Mr Speaker, Sir, the main question is about the turnover rate of Division I officers in the Broadcasting Division. If the Member wants to ask such a supplementary question, he should take another opportunity.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I wonder if the Acting Minister for Culture considers this rate of turnover to be high. If so, what are the reasons for such a rate.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I would not consider this turnover rate as high. Those who resign, especially officers in Division I, do not give reasons. They do not have to give reasons. Another factor is that there is too much attraction of better pay in the private sector. Of course, the Ministry provides encouragement to existing officers by giving them opportunities to attend seminars or overseas training, and we hope that they will cultivate the spirit of dedication. We also hope that the Chinese saying Yiu nai pien shih liang will not apply to the most dedicated officers.

Sir, if that is the case, would the Acting Minister for Culture consider the present scheme in which certain levels of senior officers are given extra perks in order to retain them in the civil service?

Sir, I do not consider the opportunity to attend seminars or assignments and training overseas as perks.

Sir, I think the Acting Minister misunderstood me. What I mean is this. In view of the high turnover rate of these Division I officers, will he consider giving them extra perks similar to those enjoyed by the other categories of senior officers in the civil service?

Sir, if we continue to give perks to civil servants, the private sector will top them all. What will happen then? I think the main problem, as I have said, is that we expect from the civil servants some kind of dedication and interest in their work rather than working just for the money.

Hear, hear!

asked the Minister for Law and the Environment whether he has any plan to build a hawker centre in the Bras Basah Constituency to accommodate the temporary licensed hawkers who are selling cooked food, some in backlanes and some in by-roads.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, at present the Ministry of the Environment has no plans to build any market or hawker centre in the Bras Basah Constituency. However, I understand that the Housing and Development Board will be redeveloping the area and a hawker centre has been incorporated in the redevelopment plan for the Bras Basah Constituency.

asked the Minister for Law and the Environment whether he is aware that the application by two hawkers for permission to exchange their hawker pitches in Seah Street and Purvis Street respectively (which are in the same Constituency) by mutual consent, alleging that there were too many hawkers selling the same things near their pitches, was rejected by the Hawkers Department, and if he will clarify his Ministry's policy in regard to requests for such mutual exchange of hawker pitches.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, all along it has been the policy of the Ministry of the Environment not to encourage hawkers to exchange their stalls or pitches. The same policy is also being followed by the Housing and Development Board and other quasi-Government bodies, like the Jurong Town Corporation. This is to prevent too many hawkers in any area from selling the same type of food or drinks, as this will affect the business of the hawkers. It also prevents the possible malpractice of hawkers asking for a premium or tea money in an exchange of stalls or pitches. In other words, we do not want stallholders or licensees to indulge in such malpractice for monetary profit. Hence the policy of discouraging the exchange of hawker stalls or pitches.

asked the Minister for Law and the Environment whether he is aware that hawkers, who sell their wares within shop premises instead of at their pitches, which the hawkers allege are unsuitable for the type of goods they are selling, have been issued with offence tickets by a hawker inspector, and if he will consider instructing the Hawkers Department to allow such hawkers to sell within shop premises, if they have the approval of the shopowners.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the policy of my Ministry to encourage hawkers to move into suitable premises. To meet this long-term objective, the Hawkers Department has been constructing new markets and hawker centres to house street hawkers. No action has been taken against hawkers who sell piece and sundry goods inside shophouses. However, in the case of cooked food hawkers, they must sell in licensed food establishments. They must also apply for stall licences. The reason for this policy is to ensure that food establishments are suitable and large enough to house the food stalls and have adequate sanitary, washing and anti-water pollution facilities. If the Member for Bras Basah will let me have more details of the specific case mentioned, an investigation will be carried out.

asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how many illegal immigrants with forged identity cards were detected and prosecuted during the first ten months of 1975; and if he has any plans for a check to be made of all identity cards issued since 1967.

Mr Speaker, Sir, during the first 10 months of 1975, 33 illegal immigrants who were detected had forged identity cards. Arrest and prosecution of illegal immigrants, with or without forged identity cards, will continue. Under the National Registration Regulations, 1966, all Singapore identity cards have to be renewed periodically: (1) Regulation 15 provides that any person who has obtained his identity card or replacement thereof before attaining the age of 17 years shall re-register within a period not exceeding five years from the date of his first registration. (2) Regulation 16 provides that any person of the age of 17 years and above who has obtained his identity card or replacement thereof shall re-register within the tenth year from the date of his last preceding registration. The National Registration Office carries out re-registration exercises un- der Regulation 15 every year. Re-registration under Regulation 16 will begin next year. During re-registration exercises, the identity cards are checked to verify their rightful ownership arid the holders' status. Failure to re-register, as provided under the Regulations, is an offence which carries a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding $3,000 or both such imprisonment and fine. A person who fails to re-register will not be able to enjoy the social benefits accorded by the State.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know whether it is true or not that some blank identity cards have been put in a bag and sent across the Island. I would like to ask the Minister whether the identity cards are safely kept in the National Registration Office.

Sir, before I answer the question, I would like to ask the Member for Anson for more details. What does he mean by "blank cards"? Are they forged identity cards or are they genuine identity cards stolen from the National Registration Office? Or are they identity cards stolen from the holders?

Sir, the identity cards are like the ones we have now. But there is no name or photograph on the identity card. These identity cards are sent across the Island and then the photograph, name and address of the illegal holder are put on to enable him to come here.

Pink or blue?

Pink.

Mr Speaker, Sir, having got the clarification, may I ask the Member for Anson to submit details of his information so that it can be investigated? If it is true, then it is a very serious crime. As far as the National Registration Office is concerned, blank identity cards, whether pink or blue, are kept in safe custody. If he has any information he should submit it to me because this is a very serious matter.

Sir, that is not my duty. It is the duty of the Minister for Home Affairs to check this up. I am not going to check this up. I am only informing the Minister of what I have heard.

asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how many primary and secondary school students have been allowed transfer to another school, because of shifting of homes, since 2nd January, 1975, and how many applications for such transfer are still pending; and if his Ministry will undertake, at the request of parents, to arrange for such transfers, especially of students in the lower primary classes, instead of the parents having themselves to look for places for their children in the new school as at present.

Sir, parents who wish to transfer their children from one school to another, whether on account of a change of address or for any other reason, apply direct to the school of their choice. They seek assistance of the Ministry of Education only when they encounter difficulties. Where parents so request, the Ministry will assist in arranging for the necessary transfers. Since most transfers are dealt with by the schools direct without the need to refer to the Ministry, no record of applications for transfer is kept. Figures relating to transfer on account of change of address are therefore not available.

Sir, if parents were to go to the school for a transfer, the principal will say, "No vacancy". The Ministry of Education, therefore, has to direct the principal to take in the student because he has changed his address.

Sir, I think the Member for Anson does not understand me. If parents have any difficulty, they should approach the Ministry of Education. The principal can only say whether there is a vacancy in his school. He will not know whether there are vacancies in other schools. So parents should go to the Admissions Section of the Ministry of Education where the officers can help them as far as possible to find places in schools nearest their homes.

Sir, that is what I want. A directive must be given to every principal that if any boy wants a transfer his parents can go to the Ministry of Education.

asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education what plans the Ministry of Education has in regard to the problem of the large number of dropouts from English schools who become virtually illiterate some years after leaving school.

Mr Speaker, Sir, many factors have contributed to the lapse of literacy among our school leavers. One of them is the rapid expansion of our Education in the past. Another is that many school leavers stopped using or learning English because their home and neighbourhood make them revert to dialect. The emphasis now is on teaching what the pupils can absorb. The restructuring of the Education system advocates pupils learning at their own rate (i.e, they will progress to the next higher grade only when they are ready for it). This allows pupils weak in languages to concentrate on one. These measures will help raise the literacy level of our pupils. Serious considerations are being given to provide some form of continuation education for dropouts between the ages of 14 and 18, irrespective of their language streams.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask a supplementary question. If a student's home environment is not conducive to his learning the language in a particular language stream, under our bilingual policy is it possible for him to learn more in the language in which he is proficient?

Mr Speaker, Sir, the policy at the moment is that parents may decide for their children. If a pupil finds that he can study and understand better in one language, be it Chinese or English, then of course, educationally speaking, it is best for him to continue to pursue his studies in the language in which he is more proficient. The Ministry can only encourage pupils and advise parents, wherever possible, but the final decision rests with the parents themselves. I cannot, therefore, say whether they will accept the advice of the teachers.

Sir, in respect of his reference to the lack of reinforcement in the child's environment, can the Minister of State tell us what steps are being considered to provide such reinforcement, if possible? And I think it is possible. Also, in his reference to the provision of continuing education, what is he thinking in terms of the provision of this kind of continuing education to the school dropouts?

Sir, as for the opportunities for the child to learn more than one language, of course, exposure time is one. Teaching techniques and better teaching methods which the Ministry is at the moment trying to introduce is another. As for some form of a continuation education for the child, we are thinking in terms of language only because without a proficiency in language the child is unable to study on his own. We do not as yet have any definite plan as to what form it will take.

Pardon me, Sir, but I would like some clarification with regard to the Minister of State's reference to the lack of reinforcement in the child's environment. I presume this is the :home environment. Therefore, I would ask, with respect, Sir, what sort of reinforcement can he contrive for the home environment to improve the opportunities of the child learning the second language?

Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as the Ministry of Education is concerned, we can try to find out exactly what the supporting environment is. The supporting environment is, as the Member for Katong has said, the home environment in which the pupil normally speaks a language, whether it is English, Mandarin or any dialect. Therefore, it is not possible for the Ministry of Education to change the child's environment. However, as far as possible, we can try to tailor his studies according to his ability. For instance, in a class where there are so many pupils, the teacher cannot do very much for a child who lags behind, other than trying as best she can to see that the child learns as much as he can.

Mr Speaker, Sir, perhaps the Ministry of Education might consider reaching out to the child's environment through the mass media. We have an Educational Television Service and we also have a good Broadcasting service. Will the Minister of State consider reaching out to the children who are not so good in the second language through the mass media?

Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no doubt that at the moment the ETV service broadcasts quite a number of hours of educational material, but the Education Ministry has no plan as yet to go into this. The reason is that pupils who are weak in languages normally come from quite poor families. So even if we were to reinforce their environment with increased ETV programmes, it is still doubtful whether we can reach them effectively.

Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister of State elaborate on his statement about the encouragement and advice that the Ministry of Education gives to parents?

Sir, can the Member be more specific in his question?

Sir, the Minister of State said earlier that the Ministry of Education encourages and advises parents with regard to the first or second language of their choice. It advises and encourages them to send their children to the right type of school. Can he tell us or elaborate on how the Ministry goes about advising parents in this regard? I have not really noticed such a thing going on.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the encouragement or advice which I mentioned just now is based on our restructured Education system. It has not yet been implemented, but it is what we plan to do. Mr Teong Eng Siong rose -

We have just four minutes left for Question Time.

(In Mandarin): Sir, I have only a very short supplementary question. What is the cause of this problem, and has the Ministry of Education made any investigation into it? Why are the pupils found illiterate after leaving school? Furthermore, is it because the teachers are not performing their duties well, or is it because of short-comings in our society or for any other reason? I suggest the Ministry of Education should look into this problem.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the question raised by the Member for Sembawang actually calls for a very lengthy answer. I think we had better have first things first.

We have got three minutes left.

asked the Minister for Finance, in the light of the provisions of the Estate Duty Act that, where one spouse gifts the matrimonial house to the other and continues to reside in it rent free by virtue of his or her marital rights, the property is subject to estate duty on the death of the donor even when the donor has survived the statutory period of five years, if he will consider granting an extra-statutory concession in such cases to relieve the hardship that could arise where the matrimonial house is the only asset of any substance in the estate of the deceased so that the surviving spouse and other immediate members of the family are precluded from having to dispose of their residence in order to meet the death duties.

Mr Speaker, Sir, no concession is necessary in the circumstances suggested by the Member for Serangoon Gardens, as no estate duty is payable.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will ascertain from the Jurong Town Corporation whether the Corporation will consider granting local residents concessions on admission charges to recreational places in Jurong Town.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand that the charges at the Jurong Town Swimming Pool and the Jurong Town Stadium and its ancillary playing field at Yung Ho Road are the same as those charged for similar facilities in other parts of the Republic by the Authorities concerned. These charges are already concessional since none of these Authorities pay their way and none of them charge the full cost. As for the Japanese and Chinese Gardens, it is not practical to have different admission charges for local residents and citizens living outside Jurong Town. In any case, discrimination is undesirable as these gardens are meant for the enjoyment of all Singaporeans. However, I would suggest that, since there are concessionary rates for large groups, and for combined visits to both the Japanese and Chinese Gardens, the Member for Jurong may wish to consider how such visits at reduced rates can be arranged through the Jurong Community Centre, schools, residents associations, citizens consultative committees and other organisations.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will ascertain from the Jurong Town Corporation whether the Corporation will look into the matter of providing prompt and efficient maintenance services to all its tenants and lessees.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand from the Jurong Town Corporation that it has already taken necessary measures to improve its maintenance services in the residential, industrial and other areas of Jurong Town. Term maintenance contractors have been selected based not so much on the cheapest tender as on their capabilities of providing good, prompt and efficient services at a reasonable price. If the service rendered by any contractor is not satisfactory, his contract will he terminated. I understand also that the Jurong Town Corporation has recently reorganised the personnel in its Estates Section to be more vigilant in its supervision of its maintenance and conservancy works and to provide a better service to its tenants and lessees. The technical staff of the Section have been instructed that, instead of waiting for complaints from the tenants, they should inspect their respective areas in the housing estate every day to ensure their cleanliness. I believe all these measures are beginning to show results and the situation should improve further.

3.29 p.m.

"to amend the Singapore Family Planning and Population Board Act (Chapter 168 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Health (Dr Toh Chin Chye); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Dentists Registration Act (Chapter 215 of the Revised Edition)", presented by Dr Toh Chin Chye; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Regulation of Employment Act (Chapter 127 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Labour (Mr Ong Pang Boon); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Probation of Offenders Act (Chapter 117 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Social Affairs (Encik Othman bin Wok); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Singapore Sports Council Act, 1973 (No. 44 of 1973)", presented by Encik Othman bin Wok; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the University of Singapore Act (Chapter 181 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Home Affairs and Education (Mr Chua Sian Chin); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1973 (No.5 of 1973)", presented by Mr Chua Sian Chin; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed;

"to amend the Income Tax Act (Chapter 141 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Stamp Act (Chapter 147 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr Hon Sui Sen; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Insurance Act.(Chapter 193 of the Revised Edition)", presented by Mr Hon Sui Sen; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Companies Act (Chapter 185 of the Revised Edition)", presented by Mr Hon Sui Sen; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available Sit ting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend and consolidate the law relating to the use of uniform weights and measures throughout Singapore", presented by the Minister for Science and Technology (Dr Lee Chiaw Meng); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

Order for Second Reading read. 3.35 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Ngee Ann College was established in 1963 with a total enrolment of 447. Apart from applied chemistry and telecommunications engineering, the courses offered by the College were mainly in the liberal arts and business studies. Following its reconstitution in 1967, the College began diversifying its courses with a bias towards technical studies. The present enrolment of the College is 1,652, the majority of whom are in engineering courses leading to a technician diploma. In the next fiscal year, this will exceed 2,500. The courses offered by the College now include mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, shipbuilding and repair technology, building services and business studies. In view of the diverse nature of the courses it now offers, it is considered necessary to appoint suitable members to the Council of the College to enable its diverse interests to be met. It is therefore proposed to amend section 7(l) (c) and (g) of the Act to provide the Minister in charge with more flexibility to appoint Council members to serve the interest of the College. Currently, the common seal of the College may only be used or affixed on any document in the presence of the Chairman or a member of the Council and the Principal in pursuance of a resolution duly passed at a properly constituted meeting of the Council and duly recorded in the minutes of that meeting. These requirements are unnecessarily onerous when the common seal is used on the College's diplomas and cer- tificates. I propose that for the purpose of routine validation of the College's diplomas and certificates, section 12 of the Act be so amended as to permit the affixing of the common seal in the presence of two officers of the College duly authorised by the Council on its behalf. It is desirable for the Council to submit annual reports on the performance of the College to the Minister in charge for his presentation to Parliament. A new section is therefore proposed to meet this requirement. Finally, I am taking this opportunity to amend the Act to satisfy the financial procedures governing statutory institutions as prescribed by the Ministry of Finance. A new section to the Act to prescribe the financial procedures to be followed by the College is therefore proposed. Sir, I beg to move.

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

Order for Third Reading read. 3.41 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." The Travel Agents Bill was committed to a Select Committee by a Resolution of Parliament passed on 19th August, 1975. Two written representations were received and considered by the Select Committee. The Select Committee, in its Report to Parliament on 28th October, 1975, has not recommended any amendment to the Travel Agents Bill, which is therefore presented again in its original form. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, according to a report in today's Berita Harian, about 300 pilgrims who were originally scheduled to leave Singapore for Jeddah by plane on Sunday morning and last night were delayed, the reasons for which are not known. Payment for their passage has been made to a travel agency at a very early date. I would like to ask the Minister whether the passage of this Bill will ensure that these pilgrims will be able to get to Mecca to perform the Haj this year. And can this law be enforced to prevent a recurrence of this nature?

Sir, I do not think I can say very much in this respect other than that the matter should be referred to the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board which will administer the Bill. I expect that the Board will look into the matter and take whatever measures are appropriate.

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

Order for Third Reading read. 3.44 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." The Bill was committed to a Select Committee by a Resolution passed by this House. No written representations were received. The Select Committee went through the Bill and made minor textual corrections and some amendments. The corrections and amendments recommended by the Committee are incorporated in the Bill as reported. Sir, I beg to move.

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

Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to Thursday, 20th November, l975."-[Mr Hon Sui Sen]. Adjourned accordingly at Fifteen minutes to Four o'clock p.m. to Thursday, 20th November, 1975.

RADIO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES (Cols 1293 - 1303) VOCATIONAL INSTITUTES (Cols 1303 - 1304) JOINT INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES (Cols 1305 - 1308) OVERSEAS TRAINING SCHEME (Cols 1307 - 1308) INDUSTRIAL TRAINING SUBSIDY SCHEME (Cols 1307-1308) INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME (Cols 1309-1310) DOCTORS' ATTENDANCES IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS (Cols 1311-1312)