Hansard, 1976-11-24

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 Cheong Yuen Chee (Toa Payoh) -from 14th to 30th September, 1976. Mr Chin Harn Tong (Aljunied) - from 1 7th September to 9th October, 1976. Mr Ho Cheng Choon (Geylang East), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development - from 17th September to 11th October, 1976. Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon (Tiong Bahru) - from 17th September to 11th October, 1976. Dr Tan Eng Liang. B.B.M. (River Valley), Senior Minister of State. Ministry of National Development - from 18th September to 7th October, from 22nd to 25th November, and from 28th November to 1st December, 1976. Mr Fong Sip Chee (Stamford), Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour - from 18th September to 14th October, 1976. Mr Sia Kah Hui (Upper Serangoon), Minister of State, Ministry of Labour and Government Whip - from 20th September to 11th October, 1976. Mr S. Rajaratnam (Kampong Glam), Minister for Foreign Affairs - from 22nd September to 14th October, and from 21st to 25th October, 1976. Dr Chiang Hai Ding (Ulu Pandan) - from 27th to 29th September, from 11th to 1 5th October, from 22nd to 26th November, 1976, and from 3rd to 6th January, 1977. Mr Hon Sui Sen (Havelock), Minister for Finance - from 28th September to 18th October, 1976. Mr Chan Chee Seng (Jalan Besar), Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs - from 11th to 29th October, 1976. Mr Ho See Beng (Bras Basah) - from 11th to 29th October, 1976. Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol) - from 13th to 20th October, 1976. Mr Ahmad Mattar (Leng Kee), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education - from 1 6th to 30th October, 1976. Mr Ong Teng Cheong (Kim Keat), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Communications - from 17th to 29th October, 1976. Mr Ho Kah Leong (Jurong) - from 30th October to 14th November, 1976. Dr Goh Keng Swee (Kreta Ayer), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence - from 15th to 18th November, 1976. Mr Tay Boon Too (Paya Lebar) - from 15th to 29th November, 1976. Mr Phey Yew Kok (Boon Teck) - from 18th to 24th November, 1976. Mr Sim Boon Woo (Changi) - from 20th November to 6th December, 1976. Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi (Kampong Kembangan) - on 24th November, 1976. Dr Augustine H. H. Tan (Whampoa) - from 6th to 11th December, 1976. YEOH GHIM SENG, Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

The following Bills were assented to by the President of the Republic of Singapore on the date stated:- 21st September, 1976 (i) Parliamentary Membership Bill; (ii) Architects Bill; (iii) Prevention of Pollution of the Sea (Amendment) Bill; (iv) Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill; (v) Pensions (Expatriate Officers) Bill; and (vi) Residential Property Bill. YEOH GHIM SENG Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

For the record, at 10.55 am, on 14th September, 1976, I received a letter dated 11th September, 1976, from Mr Wee Toon Boon resigning his seat in Parliament as Member for the electoral division of Sepoy Lines. In accordance with clause (2)(c) of Article 30 and clause (4) of Article 91 of the Constitution, the seat of the Member for Sepoy Lines became vacant with effect from the abovementioned time. Hon. Members and the relevant authority were notified of the resignation and consequent vacancy by the Clerk of Parliament on 14th September, 1976.

Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the practice of this House to have just one hour for Question Time. But as there are 19 questions and merely four Bills on today's Order Paper. I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move a motion to enable Questions for Oral Answer to be taken after 3.30 p.m, today.

I give my consent. Does the Minister have the general assent of Hon. Members to move the motion indicated by him? Hon. Members indicated assent. Question put and agreed to. Resolved, "That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders. Questions for Oral Answer Set down on the Order Paper may be taken after 3.30 p.m, at this day's sitting." - [Mr E.W. Barker].

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the plentiful rain in the recent pass and the likelihood of more rain as this is the rainy season, there needs to be any apprehension among the public in regard to water rationing or a necessity for them to save water.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the frequent rainfall which we have experienced since September has replenished our reservoirs which are now 90% full. With the coming of the North-east Monsoon and the promise of more rain. I am glad to say that there is no danger of water rationing in the near future. However, this does not mean that people can now revert to wasteful habits in the use of water. Whatever the weather, water conservation must be a way of life for us in Singapore. There is a lesson to be learnt from the devastating effects of the unexpected drought in Europe in the last summer. If such a drought could hit Europe, a place hitherto unknown for severe dry spells, the chances of it affecting this part of the world are even greater. We in Singapore, with our limited water storage capacity, cannot afford to wait for a dry spell to threaten before renewing our water conservation habits. Moreover, it is good housekeeping to economise in the use of water which is becoming more expensive to treat and, therefore, to consume.

Sir, does the Minister agree that emphasis should always be on not to waste water? During a dry period saving water is essential, but during a period of plentiful rain, saving water males little sense.

It is a good habit to save water. It is a habit like brushing your teeth every day. Once you have acquired a good habit. I think you should not drop it. To save water is also to save on your F'UB bills and water is getting more expensive to treat. We have exhausted the normal sources of water supply and are going into unconventional means of obtaining water which is going to be more costly. So keep the good habit of saving water.

Sir, what I feel is this. Does not the Minister think that wasting water is something that he should emphasise because in actual fact there is -

Mr Baptist, are you asking a supplementary question or are you expressing your feeling?

Sir, does not the Minister want to re-emphasise this business of wasting water rather than saving water? Because to save water, people may have one bath a week, and that is not practical if there is plentiful rain.

It is a question of emphasis. He can emphasise whichever way he wan!s, so long as he saves water. If one does not waste water, one is already saving water. So it is a question of emphasis. I put it as saving water. He wants to emphasise on the slogan. "Don't waste water." Either way, it means he uses less water.

asked the Prime Minister what caused the recent blackout that lasted for many hours resulting in trauma for the majority of the population, and what action is being taken to ensure that there will be no distress of this sort again.

Sir, I think Members of the House know that the electricity system in Singapore has grown tremendously in the last 10 years. Generating capacity of the system has grown from 464 MW (megawatts) in 1966 to 1.270 MW now. In the process of expansion the system has become more and more complex and sophisticated and certain automatic safety devices such as the in-built mechanism of "tripping" has to be introduced. "Tripping" means an automatic disconnection from the system in the event of a fault. On the day in question a new generator of 120 MW capacity was commissioned at Senoko Power Station and it was feeding 30 MW of electricity into a circuit for distribution. At the same time, another generator generating 90 MW was sending electricity through the same circuit. This circuit was carrying 120 MW of power for distribution. Just before 4.00 p.m, the burner of the boiler of the new generator failed and this generator tripped. This tripping automatically disconnected the transmission circuit and the other generator could not transmit power to the system. The sudden loss of 120 MW caused instability in the system which in turn triggered the tripping of the other generators at Jurong and Pasir Panjang `B' Power Stations. This resulted in an island-wide blackout. With such a widespread blackout it takes time to restore the electricity to the system. But this can only be done progressively. Within half an hour after the blackout, electricity had been restored to the first areas and the situation had returned to normal within 6« hours. The blackout was so widespread because, for reasons of economy necessitated by the high fuel oil price, our spinning reserve was less than the capacity of the largest generating unit in operation. However, having had this experience now. the PUB will, in spite of the increased operating cost, be providing spinning reserve equal to the capacity of the largest generator in operation until the Senoko Stage I generators, i.e, the new 120 MW generators, are fully commissioned at the end of this year. By then, the teething problems encountered in commissioning a new power station will have been ironed out and we may revert to the more economical mode of operation, that is, having a spinning reserve less than the capacity of the largest generators in operation.

Sir, can the Minister enlighten the House on this point? Four cables which were wrongly connected had burst because the engineers had not done their work properly. Have the engineers been working well or not?

Sir, I am not aware that cables had burst as a result of wrong connection. As far as I know, 120 MW of electricity was transmitted through one circuit. 30 MW was generated by a new generator and, as with all things new, there are bound to be initial teething problems. The boiler of this generator developed a fault and this tripped off the generator. The automatic safety device which prevents users from being electrocuted and the system from being unduly damaged, then also tripped off the other generators. The blackout was not due to a wrong connection of cables.

Sir, this blackout occurred on the eve of Deepavali. I would like to know whether this will happen again on Christmas eve?

The timing was just accidental. Sir.

Sir, are there no standby generators to cater to this sort of problem?

Sir, there are generators standing by. That is what is meant by spinning reserve. To illustrate, let me put it this way. You have a 10 horse-power car and you are travelling in it. To be sure of getting to the end of your journey you have another 10 horse-power car following you all the time. In case the car you are travelling in should develop engine trouble, you can then switch over to the reserve car and continue to your destination. Our largest generator at present has a capacity of 120 MW. To enable the system to continue providing electricity should our largest generator fail, there should be 120 MW generating capacity standing by. This standby is known as spinning reserve. However, because of the high cost of fuel we did not have that much spinning reserve. But now, having experienced it and knowing that there will be teething troubles with new generators and in spite of high costs, we are going to provide spinning reserve equal to the largest generator we have in service.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications (a) when the land reclamation linking the East Coast to Anson Road will be completed and, when completed, what uses the land will be put to; (b) when the proposed expressway itself will be completed and, when completed, how many lanes of traffic it will carry; and (c) whether, after reclamation and completion of the expressway, floods will occur during those periods when heavy rains coincide with high tides.

Sir, the land reclamation linking the East Coast to Anson Road is scheduled for completion by early 1978. Part of the reclaimed land will `be used for the expressway linking the East Coast Parkway to the City and the usage of the rest of the land is now under study. The expressway will be completed at the end of 1980. There will be four lanes of traffic in each direction. There are pockets of low-lying areas between the East Coast and Anson Road which may be flooded when heavy rains coincide with high tides, irrespective of whether there was reclamation or not. In fact, Mr Speaker, Sir, just now on my way to Parliament, part of Telok Ayer Street was flooded even when there was no rain. These are areas which are very low and, regardless of whether there is rain or not, high spring tides will flood these areas. We also had hydraulic model studies which confirm that the reclamation will not in any way aggravate the flooding. The proposed expressway itself will not be subject to flooding as the road will be higher than the flood level.

Sir, the Minister knows that there is no rain today and yet Robinson Road and parts of that area are flooded. Is there any policy to block the water from flowing into the drains?

Sir, as I said just now, those areas which I saw today were flooded in spite of the fact that there was no rain because they are below high tide level. So if we prevent the tides from flowing in at all we will also be preventing any water from flowing out. But since it is only a few days in a year that we have high spring tides which can cause flood to this area. I do no~ think it advisable to block the drains. Otherwise for the rest of the year dirty water will not be able to flow out to the sea from these low-lying areas.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications (a) what type of bridge it is proposed to build across the Kallang River as part of the East Coast Expressway; (b) when work will commence and how long it will take to complete; (c) whether the proposed bridge will cost more than the bridge also to be built across the Singapore River and by how much; and (d) if he will confirm that the proposed bridge will not hinder the passage of ships to and from the shipyards and slipways along the Kallang River.

The type of bridge proposed for the Kallang River crossing is a high-level prestressed concrete bridge. Work will commence on 1st January, 1977 and is scheduled to be completed at the end of 1980. The bridge over Kallang Basin which is 1099 metres is estimated to cost $35.7 million and that over Singapore River which is 403 metres $18.7 million. However, the two bridges are linked and will form a continuous elevated structure. The proposed bridge over the Kallang River will not hinder the passage of ships to and from the shipyards and slipways as it is 29 metres above high water level.

asked the Minister for Health (a) when the new Singapore General Hospital will be fully operational; (b) what new medical equipment it will have; and (c) what new medical treatment and specialties will be available.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the new Singapore General Hospital is scheduled for completion by June/July 1980. When completed, the Hospital will have a total bed complement of 1612, scheduled for commissioning as follows:- August 1978 466 beds December 1978 471 beds September 1979 150 beds July 1980 525 beds ------------ 1612 beds ------------ On new medical equipment, there is need to economise and therefore existing equipment which are still serviceable will be transferred to the new Hospital. Some of the more modern and sophisticated equipment to provide new services and to upgrade existing services will be bought. Among the new equipment that will be bought are:-

Sir, would the Minister be kind enough to inform this House what the Government expenditure would amount to in installing each bed and maintaining it for a year?

Does that question refer to the new Singapore General Hospital or the existing General Hospital?

The new Singapore General Hospital. Sir,

Sir, I do not think it is possible at this juncture to calculate what it is going to cost us to maintain a bed a day in the new Singapore General Hospital until the building is completed and taken over. As of this moment, for the whole Singapore General Hospital it works out to about $17,000 per bed per year.

Sir, will there be a consequent increase in medical charges?

Mr Speaker, Sir, the capital expenditure for the new Singapore General Hospital is estimated at $200 million, and if that capital sum were to be amortised I believe the interest will be considerable. I am afraid I cannot give a clear-cut answer to the question asked by the Member for Bras Basah. If there are any changes at all, I think due consideration will be given to the changes in charges for the health services as a whole.

Sir, what would be the Minister's comment if one says that our medical services in regard to charges could be still further subsidised?

Sir, may I ask, who is going to subsidise? Will the Member for Bras Basah pay more tax? If so, then I think the subsidy will come from taxes.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications when the Pan Island Expressway which is being built in parts and stages will be completed and at what cost.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Punggol is correct when he says that the Pan Island Expressway is being built in parts and stages. I can give him the progress to date, and they are as follows:- The section from Jalan Eunos to Whitley Road, which includes Paya Lebar Way and Jalan Toa Payoh, has been completed However, a flyover at Woodsville has yet to be constructed, but financial provision for this has been included in the development programme for 1977. The section from Whitley Road to Adam Road is expected to be completed around the end of 1977. The section from Adam Road to Jalan Anak Bukit was recently opened to traffic. Construction work is in progress on parts of the eastward extension of the Expressway from Jalan Eunos to the East Coast Parkway in Changi. It is expected that this section of the Expressway will be completed by 1 980. The last section of the Expressway, which is its westward extension from Jalan Anak Bukit to Jalan Boon Lay in Jurong, is in the final stages of design and the first contracts on this section will be awarded in 1977. It is also hoped that this section will be completed by 1980. The middle section of the Pan Island Expressway from Jalan Eunos to Jalan Anak Bukit will therefore be completed by the end of 1977. But the whole length of the Expressway from Changi to Jurong will only be completed by 1980. The cost of civil works of the completed sections of the Expressway to date amounts to $33 million. The remaining sections will cost a further $117 million to construct. The total cost of civil works for the whole length of the Pan Island Expressway, therefore. amounts to $150 million.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether all roads and drains in the farming areas in Lorong Buang Kok and Lorong Cheng Lim will be made up to kampong road standard and lined with layer drainage channels.

If the Member for Punggol will put up proposals for improvement and upgrading of roads and drains in the farming areas around Lorong Buang Kok and Lorong Cheng Lim to the Urban and Rural Services Committee, his request will be favourably considered.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications why Regulations 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations. 1971, were deleted when the 1971 Regulations were replaced by the Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations. 1974.

Sir, these Regulations were deleted because, in drafting the 1974 Regulations, the Attorney-General had advised that, it would be undesirable to duplicate provisions which already existed in other legislation. The deleted Regulations are covered by the Factories Act. 1973.

Sir, does the Minister realise that dust pollution is a grave problem especially in sand and granite quarries? To workers and residents in the neighbourhood, effective control of dust pollution is essential. The absence of Regulations 11 and 12 would most certainly cause this problem and, irrespective of them being in the Factories Act, additional precaution should be taken for sand and granite quarries.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the nuisance arising from quarry dust is being looked after. I think the Attorney-General is the correct person to give advice on legal proceedings. In his opinion nuisance of this nature has already been looked after in the Factories Act, 1973. There is no need to duplicate it in the Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations. 1974.

Sir, does the Minister realise that the Factories Act does not provide for pre-employment medical examination? Regulation 13 says that no person suffering from a pulmonary disease is to be recruited, and silicosis is a pulmonary disease. Could the Minister show how it would be ensured, in the absence of this Regulation, that no person suffering from a pulmonary disease is recruited into the sand and granite quarries industry?

Sir, I do not think the Member is quite correct, because under Regulation 32 of the Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations. 1974, medical examination is provided for. It says here: "Every licensee shall provide -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am talking about pre-employment examination. That is not provided for.

Mr Speaker, Sir, we are going into details. But if the Member can give me the kind of information that he wants. I will supply him later. It is a bit too much for me to try to remember in detail every regulation that has been enacted in my Ministry.

asked the Minister for Law and the Environment when the incinerator at Toh Tuck Road will be completed and at what cost; whether pollution of the atmosphere by the incinerator which will give rise to concern is being looked into; what benefits this incinerator will bring; and, with its completion, whether refuse dumping at the Tampines dumping ground will cease altogether to ensure the return of marine life to Serangoon River,

(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, the incinerator at Toh Tuck Road is expected to be completed by early 1979 and costs about $85 million. A loan of US$25 million has been obtained from the World Bank to meet part of the cost. Construction .is in progress. Three main contracts for the civil works and the mechanical and electrical equipment have been awarded. Adequate safeguards against noise and air pollution will be provided. The incinerator plant will have electrostatic dust filters capable of removing about 99% of air pollutants and a 150 metre high chimney. These anti-pollution measures estimated to cost about $6 million will ensure that the smoke from the plant will comply fully with the Clean Air Act. To conserve energy, the waste heat from the plant will be used to generate 11 MW of electricity. Part of this electricity will be used by the plant itself and the surplus power sold to the Public Utilities Board. The plant will also have facilities to recover ferrous metal from the refuse. Swamp land for dumping of refuse is scarce; the incinerator will reduce the volume of refuse it burns by 90% and is the best way of disposing the growing volume of refuse. At present about 2.000 tonnes of refuse is disposed of at our dumping grounds. This quantity is expected to increase to 2,300 tonnes a day in 1979 when the incineration plant is commissioned. The plant will be able to burn 1,200 tonnes of refuse a day, and the rest will continue to be disposed of at the two existing dumping grounds at Tampines and Lim Chu Kang. The dumping ground at Tampines is provided with proper earth bunds to prevent solid waste from going into the Serangoon River. The refuse is covered each day with earth to minimise pollution. As such the dumping ground should not have too serious an effect on the marine life in the river.

asked the Minister for Law and the Environment whether it is proposed to provide a hawker site in the Silat Square area in place of the previous hawker site which had been converted into a car park.

(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, as the Member for Anson is doubtless aware. Kampong Silat Housing Estate has only 446 housing units. There are two Housing and Development Board markets, namely. Kim Tian Road Market with 164 stalls and Jalan Bukit Merah Market with 138 stalls and a private market with 71 stalls at Nelson Road. These three markets are only a quarter of a mile away from the housing estate. In addition, a new market-cum-food centre with 135 stalls has been completed recently by the HDB at Telok Blangah Rise about half a mile away from the housing estate. In view of all these facilities and the small population in the estate, an additional site for hawkers is not required. The 21 hawkers at Silat Square together with 14 other hawkers in the vicinity have been given stalls in the Telok Blangah Rise Market on 1st May, 1976, in accordance with the policy to resite hawkers in open spaces within markets and food centres.

Mr Speaker, Sir.can the Parliamentary Secretary please explain further? He has said that there are markets and hawker stalls all over Singapore. But what I am asking is that the people in the Silat Square area should have a hawker centre. I want to know whether that can be done. The Parliamentary Secretary says that there are hawker centres everywhere. Yes, there are hawker centres everywhere in Singapore. But I want a hawker centre in the Silat Square area.

(In Mandarin): Sir, if the Member wants to know whether there will be a hawker centre there, my answer is no, because there are already three markets in that estate. There are more than enough stalls in the three markets. Several hawkers have already moved into the market at the Telok Blangah estate. There is no need for another hawker centre.

Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary tell me what are the criteria for the building of hawker centres?

(In Mandarin): Sir, my answer is that it depends on the population and the development needs of the area concerned. I have just said that 21 hawkers from the Silat estate have already been allotted new stalls in the Telok Blangah market. Where is the need to build another market, considering that there are three markets and hundreds of stalls to serve the small estate at Silat Square area? To build another market there will be a waste of public funds.

Sir, my question is this. I want the people in the Silat Square area to have the benefit of a market where they could get things easily. There may be a market in the Telok Blangah estate. But how far is Silat Road from the Telok Blangah estate? The people, want to get their foodstuffs or any other things easily. Are there any supermarkets to be built in that area?

(In Mandarin): Sir, if we accede to the request of the Member for Anson and build a supermarket outside the house of every resident, it would be ridiculous. Nobody can do that. Since there are three markets in that vicinity, what more does the Member want?

Sir, I am not talking about that. There was previously a hawker site in that area. But it has been converted into a car park. Why? That is what I want to know.

(In Mandarin): Sir, it is because we feel that the site is not suitable for a market. We have built several markets in that vicinity. We have also moved the hawkers into the new market. The site on which the stalls had been demolished can be put to better use.

Sir, may I know what is the population in Silat Square area? The people there are not served by market stalls. I want to know what is the population in that area.

Mr P. Govindaswamy. I think the answer was no, just now. I do not think there is any use in persisting on this point.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications when the public will be told of the results of the experiments that have been conducted for so many years on hydroponics so that this method of cultivation can be commercialised.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the results of the experiments conducted by the Primary Production Department on hydroponics have been widely publicised over the last two years by the press, Radio and Television Singapore and in publications such as the Primary Production Bulletin and the Singapore Journal of Primary Industries. An Agriculture Handbook which is being sold to members of the public at $2.50 per copy gives a full account on the setting up of a commercial hydroponic farm. The Primary Production Department would provide technical advice and help to those who are interested to invest in the hydroponic culture of vegetables. Commercial production of vegetables by the hydroponic method of cultivation has already begun. The one-acre farm established by the Ministry of Defence has been operating successfully over the last two years. Another two-acre commercial unit will soon commence production. This is run by the Primary Industries Enterprise Co, and it will be sited in Punggol. The Government has also made available 40 acres of land at Sernbawang to be leased to interested persons for commercial hydroponics farming. To-date, eight acres of land have been leased out and production will begin shortly. Those who are interested may apply to the Primary Production Department.

Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister tell us how profitable this method of cultivation is when compared with the normal method?

Some of them have just begun production. I have no figures of the one run by the Ministry of Defence. Obviously the business-minded people must have made their calculations and estimated it to be profitable. Otherwise we would not have been able to lease out eight acres of land for hydroponics farming.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board (a) how many units of shops and flats have been completed by the Board in 1976 up to the latest convenient date, and how many more units will be completed by the end of the year; (b) how many, shops and flats have been completed by the Board as at the latest convenient date; and (c) how many applicants for purchase and rental of flats are on the waiting-list.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the total number of units of shops and flats completed by the Board up to the third quarter of 1976 is 19,732 units comprising 19,337 fIats and 395 shops. A total of 10,292 units, made up of 10.012 fiats and 280 shops will be completed in the last quarter of 1976. An accumulative total of 254.220 units comprising 246.924 fIats and 7,296 shops have been completed by the Board up to the third quarter of 1976. Of this, 17.693 fIats and 240 shops were completed as agency projects, i.e., units built by the Board for the Jurong Town Corporation, the Port of Singapore Authority and other authorities. The number of applicants on the waiting list for the purchase and rental of flats as at 30th September, 1976 is 66.58 1 and 15,097 applicants respectively.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board whether it will seek ways and means to improve its maintenance service so that complaints of defects and normal wear and tear of its flats can be attended to more expeditiously.

Mr Speaker, Sir, over the years, the Housing and Development Board has continuously introduced new measures to improve its maintenance service and to ensure that repairs are carried out promptly. Previously only one term contractor was appointed to undertake specific categories of repairs for all properties in HDB estates. Now the HDB estates are grouped into three main zones, each zone with one term contractor to perform specific repairs. Each term contractor will therefore work on a smaller area and is thus able to render faster repairs. When one term contractor is unable to fulfill his assignment fast enough, arrangement is made for a contractor from another zone to provide the necessary backup service to complete the works expeditiously. Recently, the Board has set up a Special Action Unit to detect and monitor any shortcomings of its services to the residents so that instant corrective measures can be taken. There is also an Essential Maintenance Service Unit which provides round-the-clock services for breakdowns in essential services like lift break-down, sanitary chokes and electrical faults. There are certain types of repairs which necessarily take a longer time to complete, e.g., defective doors and windows in the older buildings have to be individually measured and hand-made as the standard-sized mass-produced windows and doors cannot be used. In a number of instances repairs were delayed because no one was in the flat when the workmen called.

asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education what steps are being taken to prevent the recurrence of the grave inconvenience caused to the public by the chaotic traffic condition due to the recent severe floods.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in consultation with other relevant Departments, the Police has identified areas prone to floods and traffic congestion following heavy rainfall. It has drawn up some diversion routes to by-pass these areas. Motorists have also been advised what they should do in case of heavy and incessant rain leading to extensive flooding. The information has already been given wide publicity in the press and over television and radio. Briefly, motorists are urged not to use their vehicles when there is extensive flooding. If they have to use their vehicles they are advised to plan their routes in advance and listen to radio reports on the flood and traffic situation so as to avoid the flooded areas. They are asked to drive carefully and observe diversion signs. During incessant and heavy rain the Police will monitor the flood and traffic situation and give frequent situation reports over Radio Singapore. Similar announcements will also be made by the Rediffusion. Police personnel in the Divisions and the Traffic Police have been briefed on the diversion routes drawn up for them to direct traffic during severe flooding of the roads. Directional signs have been made and they will be placed at strategic junctions to guide the motorists. As before. Police Reserve Units have been assigned to respond to calls for rescue operations. They will be deployed to remove fallen trees and other road obstructions and assist commuters and motorists. Now, more Police Reserve Units will be deployed for this purpose. The Police has also been given authority by the Road Transport Action Committee to lift the Area Licensing Scheme (ALS) temporarily if and when flood conditions warrant it. The temporary lifting of the ALS will also be announced over the radio and Rediffusion.

Sir, can the Minister tell us why the Traffic Police did not react fast enough to lessen hardship for' the people?

Sir, I do not know whether the Member for Potong Pasir is referring to the 1st November floods. If it is so, the Police acted as fast as they could. The Member would remember that it was a flash flood. It came very suddenly.

Sir, can the Minister tell us whether the Traffic Police, together with the relevant departments, have taken any corrective action to ensure that these flood-prone areas are relieved, so that there will not be any need for avoidance of these areas during floods by the people but rather having the situation corrected?

Sir, I suppose the Member for Potong Pasir meant that there should be no floods. I believe that is a question which I think my colleague. the Minister for Law and the Environment, would be in a better position to answer,

Sir, can the Hon. Minister tell us whether the Traffic Police Department has liaised with the Ministry of National Development and Communications, to ensure that the flood-prone areas could be relieved? In other words, to carry out some flood relief projects and so on.

Sir, the answer to that question is already contained in my original answer where I stated that the measures planned were as a result of consultation between the Traffic Police and other relevant departments. And one of the relevant departments is the Ministry of the Environment which is in charge of drainage.

Sir, has the Ministry of National Development been consulted to provide flood relief?

Sir, the answer is yes.

asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education if he will enlighten this House as to how Mr Tan Wah Piow, who had absconded before reporting for National Service, managed to enter Britain; whether Mr Tan had valid travel documents. and if so, how were they acquired, if not, how was he allowed entry into Britain in June. 1976; and what action, if any, the Government intends to take against Mr Tan.

Mr Speaker, Sir, soon after Tan Wah Piow absconded from National Service in October 1975, our Immigration Department established from their records that his Singapore (International) passport had expired. His passport was issued on 4th March, 1969. Its validity was extended on 13th March, 1974 to 18th October, 1974 with a clearly impressed endorsement that no further extension could be made except by the office of issue which is the Immigration Department. This was because Tan Wah Piow was in the call-up age and had to produce to the Immigration Department an Exit Permit from the Ministry of Defence before any further extension could be considered. No application was received by the Immigration Department for an extension beyond 18th October. 1974. On 21st October, 1976, the press reported Tan Wah Piow's appearance in London. It stated that Tan Wah Piow had entered the U.K, on a Singapore passport. Since Tan Wah Piow's passport had expired, it was evident that he must have tampered with his expired passport. We requested and obtained from the British authorities photostat copies of Tan Wah Piow's passport. The British authorities have now given us a photostat copy showing an endorsement on the last page of Tan Wah Piow's passport dated 24th October, 1974, purporting to extend the validity of his passport to 4th March, 1979. The photostat showed it to be forged. Evidence of the forgery include the following: (1) the signature appearing on that endorsement is not that of any of the two officers who were authorised to sign such endorsements in October 1 974; (2) contrary to the established practice of the Immigration Department, the endorsement did not indicate that a fee for the endorsement was paid; and (3) contrary to the established practice of the Immigration Department the endorsement did not show the number of the required Exit Permit from the Ministry of Defence. How Tan Wah Piow was allowed to enter Britain, I do not know. Photostat copies of Tan Wah Piow's passport showed that he did not go directly from Singapore to the U.K. He could not have got through Singapore airport or any other checkpoint undetected with his expired passport. According to the press. Tan Wah Piow claimed he slipped into Malaysia. We do not have any other evidence of this for his passport was not endorsed either in Kuala Lumpur or Penang airport or any other exit checkpoint in Malaysia. The endorsement of the passport showed that he arrived in Thailand on 12th June, 1976, and stayed there until 23rd June. 1976, when he flew off from Bangkok. He then proceeded to Amsterdam before arriving at London on 30th June. 1976. 3.30 p.m. It was reported that he entered U.K, and was given a permit to stay for six months. It is well known that those who wan~ to visit the U.K, for six months have to apply to a British embassy or high commission for an entry certificate. The grant of an entry certificate is not automatic, and it is unlikely that a forged passport extension would go unnoticed. As to what action the Government intends to take. the question is whether we should have him extradited and on what grounds. Let me recount Tan Wah Piow's position. He was convicted for rioting and sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. He has served his term. Immediately after his release, he was granted, at his request, three days' compassionate leave before reporting for National Service. He absconded. According to the law, absconding from National Service is not an extraditable offence. But we have now evidence from a photostat given by the British authorities that he has committed forgery with regard to his passport. Forgery is an extraditable offence. However, we should await the decision of the British authorities as to whether they will be prosecuting Tan Wah Piow since he has used an expired passport with a forged extension to enter the U.K. I am advised this is a criminal offence under British law. If the British authorities decide to overlook this offence and we decide to ask for Tan Wah Piow's extradition, we shall request British cooperation to give us evidence as to when and how Tan Wah Piow entered the U.K, and that he used his expired passport with a forged extension. Members may recall that when Tan Wah Piow failed to report for National Service, the Police, after consulting the Ministry of Defence, offered a reward of $50 for information leading to his arrest. If anything, he is now worth less.

The Minister's answer has interesting implications, Sir. Can he now tell us how it was possible for Mr Tan Wah Piow to move in and out of several countries and entered the United Kingdom, without difficulty, on an expired passport with an obviously forged extension? He must have had backers not only to foot the bill for his journeys but also to get through Immigration.

It is reasonable to infer that Tan Wah Piow received help to make his journey to London and to obtain an entry certificate to stay in the U.K, for six months on a passport with a forged extension.

Sir, although Tan Wah Piow is no loss to Singapore if it is finally decided not to extradite him, will not this encourage other youths who are liable for national service to follow his footsteps, falsely endorsing an expired passport in order to escape national service?

Sir, there may be a few wayward youths who may try, but for them to succeed in going through British immigration they must have backers who are capable of helping them. Every year thousands of our youths report for national service. They have a stake in the future of Singapore and are willing to do their share to defend that stake. I believe few would think of escaping national service, much less forging passport endorsements with very little chance of escaping detection either on departure from Singapore or on arrival in London, especially without an entry permit.

Sir, the Minister has just said that for those few wayward youths to succeed in going through British immigration with forged passports they must have "backers" who are capable of helping them. Would he not think that it is more likely that the "backers" must be "under obligation", rather than just being capable of helping them?

Sir, perhaps the Member for Punggol may be right there. However. I am in no position to say further to what I have already stated.

Sir, will not Tan Wah Piow's backers, as they have been described by my colleague, the Member for Kuo Chuan, whoever these shadowy individuals may be, feel encouraged to continue their disruptive tactics if he is not extradited to face charges in Singapore?

Sir, it is of little consequence how Tan Wah Piow's backers feel on this matter, The question is, are they in a position to influence others in Singapore to act like Tan Wah Piow? I would think they would not meet with more success than they have had with Tan Wah Piow. The political situation in Singapore does not favour the clumsy disruptive activities of types like Tan Wah Piow.

Sir, can the Minister throw some light on this mystery? Tan Wah Piow entered the United Kingdom through London on 30th June, 1976, and was given six months' stay. He must have his passport with him like any other visitor. What puzzles me is this: how could the British authorities readily get hold of his passport to make photostat copies? Can the Minister throw some light on this matter?

Sir, to state the fact. The photostat copy was provided 20 days after we requested for it from the British authorities. However. I am not in a position to say when such a photostat copy was made.

Sir, the Minister talked about passport forgery. How was it done? Was it by handwriting or by rubber stamping?

Sir, by both. It has got to be chopped, and after it has been chopped it has got to have a signature on it.

Sir, how was the rubber stamp chopped?

Sir, if only I knew how he did it.

asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education what special circumstances, if any, are taken into consideration to allow principals flexibility in the choice of the medium of instruction for the teaching of Science and Mathematics.

Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the aim of my Ministry that eventually the teaching of Science and Mathematics will be in English in all our schools. However, since 1975 because of shortage of suitable English speaking teachers, principals of non-English medium schools have been given the discretion to recommend not to use English as the medium if they are of the opinion that their pupils' learning of Science and Mathematics is retarded by difficulties caused by bad command of English. To-date, 34 schools `have raised this matter with the Ministry and all except one have been allowed to use language other than English as the medium. Some of the special circumstances submitted by school principals in their recommendations are: (1) Shortage of suitable teachers. (2) Home background of pupils not conducive to the understanding of English. (3) Past performance of pupils extremely poor.

Sir, why was an exception made in the case of that single school for which permission was not given for flexibility in the choice of the medium of instruction?

They were unable to substantiate their recommendation to the satisfaction of the Ministry.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will ask the Housing and Development Board to convert the former site of Guillemard Road Market at Cassia Square into a children's playground for the benefit of the children in Guillemard Estate,

Sir, the answer here is yes. The Ministry of Law has agreed, in principle, to alienate the land to the Housing and Development Board for conversion into a children's playground. Action will be taken when alienation formalities are completed.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications (a) when the airstrip at the new Changi Airport will be ready; (b) when the Changi Airport will become operational; (c) whether operations at Paya Lebar Airport will cease on the new Changi Airport becoming operational; (d) if it is proposed to build a third runway at Changi Airport should' air traffic warrant it in the 1 980s; and (e) if, in view of the already heavy vehicular traffic on Changi Road which will be compounded by the traffic resulting from the operation of the new Changi Airport, a new road of access to Changi Airport together with a new road connecting Changi Airport to Paya Lebar Airport will be built.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the first runway at Changi Airport, together with its landing aids, will be completed by early 1980. With the completion of the Phase I passenger terminal together with supporting facilities, such as the air traffic control tower, freight terminal, parking aprons, hangar. Changi Airport is expected to become operational by the latter part of 1980. Though the first runway and its supporting facilities are targetted for completion by the latter part of 1980, the second runway at Changi Airport is scheduled for completion only in mid-1982. During the interim period from 1980-82, Paya Lebar Airport will be used to cater for the over-spill of civil aircraft traffic which could not be handled by Changi Airport with only one runway. A new direct express road linking Paya Lebar Airport to Changi Airport is being built. This will provide a fast and efficient flow of passengers and vehicles between the two Airports. After the second runway at Changi is completed in 1982, Paya Lebar Airport will be used as a supplementary airport to Changi. Nonscheduled and other charter flights could also be handled by Paya Lebar Airport. The two parallel runways to be built at Changi Airport are capable of handling up to 80 aircraft movements per hour. Presently, there are 22 aircraft movements per hour at Paya Lebar Airport, and this is projected to reach about 48 movements per hour in 1992. Therefore, two runways at Changi Airport would be able to meet the needs of peak hour aircraft movements well into the next century. There is, therefore, no plan to build a third runway at Changi Airport in the 198Os. There will be two major expressways linking Changi Airport with the main city areas, as well as other parts of Singapore. The East Coast Parkway will provide a freeway link between Changi Airport and the city. Construction works are in progress and the Parkway leading to Changi Airport is expected to be completed by mid-1978. Changi Airport will also be linked to the other parts of the island through a section of the Pan-Island Expressway which is expected to be completed by early 1 980. A new link road connecting Changi Airport to Paya Lebar Airport will also be built and this is also scheduled for completion by early 1980. Changi Airport will, therefore, have an efficient inland road transportation system, so that there will be no congestion on the access roads to the new Airport.

Sir, could the Minister enlighten us on whether the Concorde will be allowed to commercially use the Paya Lebar and Changi Airports?

Sir,, the answer is yes.

asked the Minister for National Development and Communications (a) what measures other than the imposition of taxes on motor cars, petrol. diesel oil and the implementation of the Area Licensing Scheme his Ministry will be taking to further ease our transport problems; (b) whether any decision has been made by his Ministry on the long proposed and long awaited Mass Transit System; and (c) if the proposed Mass Transit System will be underground, on the ground or above ground and what parts of the Island it will connect.

Mr Speaker, Sir, our transport problems are mainly due to the limited amount of road space available and the large number of vehicles competing for the use of the limited road space. Measures taken to reduce these problems include:-

3.55 p.m.

In the last decade Singapore has seen a boom in the building construction industry. Many new roads and highways have also been constructed. Hills have been levelled and swamps and low-lying areas, which served as flood basins, have been filled in. As a result, rain water no longer seeps into the ground as much as before, but runs off rapidly and sometimes causes floods. When a heavy rainfall coincides with a high tide, especially a high spring tide, floods occur in some areas and sometimes even in areas which were never flooded before. The construction of the canal near the Turf Club to divert flood waters from Bukit Timah to Ulu Pandan has alleviated but not eradicated flooding along that major trunk road. The construction of another canal to divert flood waters in the Bukit Timah canal from Whitley Road to Sungei Whampoa is therefore being reconsidered. A second canal will also be constructed along Orchard Road to alleviate flooding along that road. The canal will be covered over and used as a pedestrian mall. Last year Government approved a five-year Drainage Development Programme costing about $148 million. Under this plan, drainage work has already started on the widening and concrete lining of drains and canals in the Kallang, Ulu Pandan. Pang Sua, Bedok and Geylang Serai areas. Existing drains and canals as well as those under construction will be sufficiently large to cope with average rainfall. It will not be economical both from the project cost and land use aspects to build extra large canals for exceptional storms that may occur infrequently. Despite all that is being done to alleviate flooding, we cannot eradicate floods completely. More rain is expected in the next month or so, and if the rain is heavy and coincides with a high tide, flooding will occur. But our floods do not last long and will not reach the proportions of a disaster.

3.58 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to introduce a Bill intituled "An Act to amend the Financial Procedure Act (Chapter 68 of the Revised Edition)". Bill read the First time.

Second Reading, what day?

Now, Sir. Certificate of Urgency signed by the President in respect of the Bill, laid upon the Table by the Minister. Typed copies of the Bill distributed to Members.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Section 17 of the Financial Procedure Act (Chapter 68 of the Revised Edition) provides, inter alia, for an Establishment List to be presented to Parliament at its annual Budget session. The Establishment List, which forms part of the Estimates of Expenditure, shows, in respect of each Head of Expenditure, the authorised number and grades of posts as well as their salary codes and serves as the control document for the Government's establishment. The format of the Establishment List was designed for a system in which officers filled posts in accordance with their grades or were paid allowances for the additional responsibility of acting in posts higher than their own grades. However, a decision has been made recently to abolish acting allowances and to introduce a system of responsibility allowances and merit promotions, whereby promotions will now be decided on the basis of the merit of individual candidates and will no longer depend on the number of vacancies in the various grades of appointment. The Establishment List in future should no longer show grades of appointments under Heads of Expenditure. It is intended instead that the authorised manpower under each Head of Expenditure be arranged according to Personnel Groups. Each Personnel Group will comprise a single recruitment grade and a number of promotional grades. The Establishment List will show the number of posts approved for each Personnel Group. To enable the new format to he adopted for the FY 77 Establishment List, section 1 7 of the Financial Procedure Act will have to be amended. The substantial amendment is in respect of subsection (3) of section 1 7 which stipulates that the Establishment List shall show the public offices under each Head of Expenditure. This subsection will be amended to provide that the Establishment List should show under each Head of Expenditure the political appointments and the number and categories of personnel whose salaries are to be met from the allocations in the Budget. The existing requirement that all public offices or posts be identified in full in the Establishment List will be deleted. The opportunity is being taken to amend also the other subsections of section 1 7. The present subsection 17(2) in effect specifies that there shall be two types of subheads in the Main Estimates, namely, subheads showing expenditure on the manpower requirements in the establishment in that Head of Expenditure and other operating expenditure. It is proposed to delete this subsection to provide greater flexibility in deciding upon the structure of individual subheads in the Main Estimates. Under the programme budget system, which my Ministry proposes to introduce in FY 78, each subhead will show the total expenditure required to carry out a particular activity and the present categorisation of expenditure estimates into EOM and OOE subheads will be dropped. The other amendments are to the wording and the numbering of the other subsections of section 1 7 and do not affect their substance. The amendments are required by law to be enacted and brought into force before the FY 77 Estimates of Expenditure are presented to this House next year. The administrative requirements in the preparation of the FY 77 Budget, however, limit further the time available. Expenditure proposals, including the extensive changes to the manpower component of the Budget document, have to be submitted, scrutinised and discussed, before the final drafts are submitted to the Printers for first proofs. If the whole budgetary process is not to be seriously disrupted, therefore, the amendments should be enacted and brought into force as early as possible. There may not be enough business or enough time to make it possible for another sitting to be held well before the FY estimates are presented next year. It is accordingly necessary to take the Bill through all stages on a Certificate of Urgency. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. 4.04 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in my capacity as Chairman of the Estimates Committee. I must express my regret that the Minister for Finance seems to be trying to ram this Amendment Bill through the House without prior consultation or extending a courtesy to the Estimates Committee. I would rather prefer that sufficient time be extended to the Estimates Committee and that particulars of any change be submitted to that Committee. On that courtesy Members of the Estimates Committee would be able to air their views, and indeed, this was the practice before. I suppose there must be a good reason why this has not been done this time. I do hope that the Hon. Minister would bear my suggestion in mind.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I take the Member's point and apologise to him and to the Estimates Committee. These amendments are, however, mainly technical, and in the ordinary way I would not take the Bill through all the stages. But in this particular case I do not think they are matters of policy. They are just technical amendments to be made to the Budget documents. I will, however, consult the Estimates Committee on the nature of the format and so on before these are finalised.

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

Order for Second Reading read. 4.09 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The control and prevention of infectious diseases into Singapore have been regulated by the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Act of 1915, the Leprosy Act of 1949 and the Diphtheria Immunization Act of 1962. The purpose of this Bill is to bring the provisions of the old Acts under one cover and at the same time to provide more effective measures against the spread of infectious diseases. The need for this Bill is substantiated by the outbreak of two epidemics in 1975 - a malaria epidemic and a typhoid epidemic. Investigations showed that the outbreak of malaria in the Whampoa area was due to a single patient who had been infected by the disease when he was outside Singapore. As facilities for travel become easier and immigration controls are more relaxed, it becomes essential for Singapore to be vigilant against the importation and spread of infectious diseases in the Republic. At present, diseases which must be notified by medical practitioners include cholera and typhoid, plague, smallpox, yellow fever, chicken pox, diphtheria, leprosy, malaria, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis and typhus. Under the provisions of this Bill, the schedule of notifiable diseases has been widened to include infectious hepatitis, encephalitis and venereal diseases, Although private doctors are required to notify cases of venereal diseases, they do not have to reveal the names and particulars of their patients. The reason for such a step is to encourage infected persons to seek treatment by their own doctors as early as possible. In this way, it is hoped that the spread of sexually transmitted diseases can be voluntarily kept under control without patients being fearful that they will be publicly embarrassed. The control of infectious diseases within Singapore will be administered by the Director of Medical Services, whilst the prevention and introduction of such diseases, in particular cholera, typhoid, malaria and dengue haemorrhagic fever, into Singapore will be administered by the Commissioner of Public Health in the Ministry of the Environment. Clause 20 of the Bill empowers the Director of Medical Services to prohibit any person from carrying on any occupation, trade or business if in doing so he will cause the spread of the disease. Members of the House are aware of the "Combat Infectious Diseases Campaign" carried out in September this year, during which the public attention was focussed on tuberculosis, food-borne diseases, malaria, dengue haemorrhagic fever, leprosy and venereal diseases. The campaign has been successful in educating the public into the causes and effects posed by these diseases. Apart from legislative measures, I believe that an educated and well-informed public is a more important factor in controlling the outbreak of epidemics and assure a high standard of health in Singapore. Question proposed.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to speak in support of the Bill. To describe the introduction of this Infectious Diseases Bill as timely might well be the understatement of the year. This piece of legislation is really long overdue as the existing Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Act which this Bill seeks largely to replace was first introduced in 1915. Many of the references in the original Act are therefore completely out of date, even to the extent of retaining quaint colonial overtones. For example, in the section in the old Act devoted to the interpretation of terms, much space is taken by reference to animals, carcass, cattle, dairy, fodder, litter, and so on.

Corpse!

Yes. Again, oddly, an immigrant in the old Act is characterised as '(a) any person not being a first or second class passenger arriving in the waters of Singapore in a ship with the intention of landing in Singapore; (b) any person arriving at any local area n Singapore as a third class passenger in a train;' Apparently at that time they did not believe that first and second class passengers could transmit infectious diseases. Or again, '(c) any person arriving at any local area .n Singapore on foot in a bullock-cart, hire gharri ...' and so on. For the benefit of the younger members of this House whose experience may not have included acquaintance with the term "gharri", it means horse cart. This Bill, therefore, seeks to replace an old outmoded colonial piece of legislation with something more related to our present circumstances. Although some of the classic diseases which the old piece of legislation was particularly exercised over. such as small-pox and plague, have been virtually eliminated we must always keep our defences up against the risk of introduction of infectious diseases from outside Singapore. Though we do not have immigrants arriving on foot, in bullock-carts or in gharries (we have emigrants going out with forged passports!), modern modes of transport and the large influx and movement of tourists and those on business have made Singapore one of the busiest crossroads of international travel in the world. There always remains the risk of diseases being introduced without prior warning. Modern international traffic is so intensive that it is not possible to set up any kind of cordon sanitaire of the good old days. Quarantine laws have therefore to be updated in keeping with contemporary conditions. For, not only do we have the better known infectious diseases to guard against, but there are also new exotic but nonetheless very dangerous viral afflictions, outbreaks of which have been noted in one or two countries, both developed and under developed. Powers to tackle such diseases, even if these ailments are not presently subject to international health regulations, have been incorporated in this Bill. We should remember. Mr Speaker, Sir, that Singapore is one of the healthiest countries in the world where environmental conditions are concerned and we should continue to keep it that way. Our people are provided with safe drinking water, modern sanitation and a clean environment. The inculcation of better standards of personal hygiene and public health has been part of the continuing public education programmes of the relevant Government departments, programmes that have been carried out at community centres and through mass campaigns and in other ways. Where infectious diseases have occurred sporadically, our constant vigilance and effective surveillance have paid dividends in early detection and immediate action and treatment to ensure that the diseases are brought under control quickly. It has often enough been stated that our best assets and prime resources are people. It is important that every effort be made to safeguard their health and protect them from avoidable infection: this especially so in view of the fact of the close relationship between our relatively high standard of living and our achievement in the field of public health. I am sure Hon. Members who have recently so enthusiastically played their part in the "Combat Infectious Diseases Campaign" will support fully this move to update the laws relating to the control of infectious diseases. However, as the Minister has pointed out, it is not enough merely to pass laws and implement them at the official level. For the effect of laws to be successful, it is necessary to have the full cooperation of the population. Although the ensurance of clean water supply and modern sanitation to households have eliminated many of the common infectious diseases such as cholera, some enteric diseases are still prevalent. Therefore, standards of personal hygiene have yet to be raised higher and should there be any unfortunate infection occurring, prompt reporting from the public and medical practitioners, and general public alertness are equally essential for halting the spread of infectious diseases, for notification is one of the keystones of our programme of protection of our people against infectious diseases.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I have nothing particularly to add to what the Member for Katong has said except to thank him for the historical references that he has made. It sounds amusing in these modern times. I am glad I am receiving his support.

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 Toh Chin Chye]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.

Order for Second Reading read, 4.25 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Honourable Members of the House are aware that Government has given several fiscal concessions to help develop Singapore as a financial centre and promote the Asian Dollar Market. In my last annual Budget Statement, I announced more concessions to the same purpose. The concessions relating to estate duty are, first, that non-resident deposits with Asian Currency Units and approved Asian Dollar Bonds held by non-residents will be exempt from Singapore estate duty with effect from 1st January, 1976, and, secondly, that Singapore Government tax-free bonds. held by non-residents, will also be exempt from Singapore estate duty from the same date. The Bill seeks to amend the Estate Duty Act by inserting a new section 1OA to provide for these two concessions. Sir, I beg to move.

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

Order for Second Reading read. 4.27 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Bill seeks to amend the Asian Development Bank Act by adding thereto a new section 9A which will exempt the Asian Development Bank and the issue by the Bank of shares, debentures, bonds, notes and other securities from the requirements of the Companies Act. The Asian Development Bank (referred to as "the ADB") has so far not borrowed from the Asian Dollar Market, although it has issued bonds in the capital markets of New York, Tokyo. Zurich, Frankfurt. Luxembourg and Vienna. Before the Bank can consider floating a bond in Singapore, it will be necessary to remove certain legal constraints which arise from the broad definition of the term "corporation" in the Companies Act. Under the Act, a "corporation" includes any body corporate whether domiciled in Singapore or abroad. Although the ADB is not a Company, it is deemed to be a Corporation under the Act and is therefore required to comply with the requirements of the Companies Act in the event of a public issue of its securities in Singapore. However, certain sections in the Companies Act are not appropriate for application to the Bank as an inter-governmental organisation. In order to facilitate the entry of the ADB into the Asian Dollar Market, it is proposed to amend the Asian Development Bank Act of Singapore so that the ADB will be deemed not to be a Corporation within the meaning of the Companies Act. Sir, I beg to move.

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

Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn sine die."-[Mr E.W. Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-nine minutes to Five o'clock p.m. sine die.

The following Bills, which were passed by Parliament on 24th November, 1976, were assented to by the President on the dates stated:- 27th November, 1976 Estate Duty (Amendment) Bill 30th November, 1976 (i) Financial Procedure (Amendment) Bill; (ii) Infectious Diseases Bill; and (iii) Asian Development Bank (Amendment) Bill.