Hansard, 1979-09-07

Under the provisions of clause 2(d) of Article 30 of the Constitution of Singapore, the following Members have been granted permission to be or to remain absent from sittings of Parliament (or any Committee of Parliament to which they have been appointed) for the periods stated:- Mr E. W. Barker (Tanglin), Minister for Law and Science and Technology and Leader of the House - from 22nd May to 30th June, 1979. Dr Tan Eng Liang (River Valley) - from 26th May to 2nd June and on 9th July, 1979. Dr Augustine H.H. Tan (Whampoa) - from 28th May to 2nd June, 1979. Mr Chan Chee Seng (Jalan Besar), Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs - from 29th May to 12th June, 1979. Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi (Kampong Kembangan) - from 30th May to 10th June and from 14th to 18th June, 1979. Dr Ahmad Mattar (Brickworks), Acting Minister for Social Affairs - from 31st May to 2nd June, 1979. Dr Koh Lip Lin (Nee Soon) - from 2nd to 17th June and from 31st August to 13th September, 1979. Mr A. Rahim Ishak (Siglap), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - from 3rd to 10th June, from 3rd to 7th July and on 7th September, 1979. Mr Sia Khoon Seong, (Moulmein) - from 4th to 15th June, 1979. Mr S. Rajaratnam (Kampong Glam), Minister for Foreign Affairs - from 8th to 13th June, from 27th June to 4th July, from 17th to 24th July, on 15th and 16th August and from 27th August to 15th October, 1979. Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam (Sembawang), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education - from 8th to 22nd June, from 25th June to 1st July and on 28th July, 1979. Mr S. Dhanabalan (Kallang), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - from 8th June to 4th July, from 11th to 13th July, from 28th July to 10th August, and from 27th August to 12th September, 1979. Mr Goh Chok Tong (Marine Parade), Minister for Trade and Industry - from 9th to 22nd June, from 27th July to 11th August and from 6th to 9th September, 1979. Mr Bernard Chen (Radin Mas), Minister of State, Ministry of Defence - from 10th to 22nd June, 1979. Haji Sha'ari bin Tadin (Bedok) - from 11th to 15th June, 1979. Encik Sidek bin Saniff (Kolam Ayer) - from 14th to 18th June and from 24th June to 1st July, 1979. Dr Lau Teik Soon (Serangoon Gardens) - from 14th to 25th June, from 2nd to 7th July and from 16th to 18th August, 1979. Mr Phua Bah Lee (Tampines), Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence - from 15th to 18th June and from 20th to 28th August, 1979. Mr C.V. Devan Nair (Anson) - from 17th to 24th June, from 9th to 15th July and from 12th August to 27th October, 1979. Mr Yeo Toon Chia (Ang Mo Kio) - from 18th to 21st June, 1979. Dr Ow Chin Hock (Leng Kee), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture - from 25th June to 1st July and from 9th to 23rd September, 1979. Mr Ho Kah Leong (Jurong) - from 25th June to 1st July, 1979. Mr Ang Nam Piau (Thomson) - from 25th June to 1st July and from 17th to 25th August, 1979. Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon (Tiong Bahru) - from 25th June to 1st July and from 13th to 29th September, 1979. Mr Hwang Soo Jin (Jalan Kayu) - from 25th June to 1st July and from 25th September to 15th October, 1979. Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi) - from 25th June to 1st July, 1979. Mr Roham bin Kamis (Telok Blangah) - from 25th June to 1st July and from 27th September to 3rd October, 1979. Mr Ong Teng Cheong (Kim Keat), Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture - from 27th June to 4th July, 1979. Mr Jek Yeun Thong (Queenstown), Minister - from 1st July to 31st December, 1979. Encik Othman bin Wok (Pasir Panjang), Minister - from 1st July to 31st December, 1979. Haji Ya'acob bin Mohamed (Kampong Ubi), Minister of State - from 1st July to 31st December, 1979. Mr J.F. Conceicao (Katong) - from 1st July to 31st December, 1979. Dr Chiang Hai Ding (Ulu Pandan) - from 1st July to 31st December, 1979. Mr Tang See Chim (Chua Chu Kang), Deputy Speaker - from 3rd to 7th July, 1979. Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol) - from 3rd to 7th July and from 17th to 29th August, 1979. Dr Ang Kok Peng, B.B.M. (Buona Vista) - from 3rd to 7th July, from 27th August to 1st September and from 27th September to 3rd October, 1979. Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng (Mountbatten) - from 3rd to 7th July, from 28th July to 12th August, from 28th August to 1st September and from 26th September to 4th October, 1979. Dr Ong Leong Boon (Kim Seng) - from 7th to 15th July and from 17th to 29th August, 1979. Mr Lim Chee Onn (Bukit Merah) - from 27th July to 11th August, 1979. Mr Tan Soo Khoon (Alexandra) - from 30th July to 7th August and from 5th to 25th September, 1979. Mr Phey Yew Kok (Boon Teck) - from 19th to 27th August, 1979. Mr P. Selvadurai (Kuo Chuan) - from 23rd August to 1st September, 1979. Mr Teh Cheang Wan (Geylang West), Minister for National Development - from 27th to 30th August, 1979. Mr Lee Khoon Choy (Braddell Heights), Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office - from 6th September to 3rd October, 1979. Mr Yeo Choo Kok (Delta) - from 13th to 29th September, 1979. Mr Tan Cheng San (Paya Lebar) - from 14th to 24th September, 1979, Haji Rahmat bin Kenap (Geylang Serai) - from 1st October to 30th November, 1979. YEOH GHIM SENG Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

The following Bill was assented to by the President of the Republic of Singapore on the date stated:- 29th May, 1979 Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill. YEOH GHIM SENG Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education if he can state the reasons why the University of Singapore discontinued its part-time evening undergraduate courses and whether the University will consider re-introducing them.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering this question on behalf of my Minister. Two part-time evening undergraduate degree courses were formerly offered by the University of Singapore. The Bachelor of Accountancy Course was started in 1965-66 and was discontinued with effect from 1969-70. The Bachelor of Laws Course was started in 1957-58 and was discontinued with effect from 1960-61. The part-time evening courses were discontinued because: (a) the drop-out rate was high; (b) the courses were uneconomical to conduct; and (c) the recruitment of part-time teachers was difficult. Statistics on the part-time evening Accountancy and Law undergraduate courses are given in the Tables (Cols. 423 - 424) which have been circulated. Twenty-six candidates were admitted to the Bachelor of Accountancy course in 1965. Of these, only three completed the course in minimum time, and one completed the course in the seventh year. Three of the 84 candidates admitted to the LLB course in 1957 converted to the full-time course. Of the remaining 81, only 11 completed the course in minimum time, and one completed the course in the seventh year. Results in subsequent years were also discouraging. Tables - Number of Graduates from Students admitted for Part-time Bachelor of Accountancy Course for the 1965-66 to 1969-70 Academic Years, Number of Graduates from Students admitted for Part-time Bachelor of Laws Course for the 1957-58 to 1960-61 Academic Years (Cols. 423 - 424) The University is planning to introduce a part-time evening course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Technology. The course is aimed at upgrading technological skills of persons in relevant employment, in particular, Engineering diploma holders of the Singapore Polytechnic and Ngee Ann Technical College. The University has no immediate plans to reintroduce part-time evening undergraduate courses in the other faculties.

asked the Minister for the Environment whether he will allow the transfer of hawker stalls for those hawkers who have moved to Housing and Development Board estates which are far away from their place of business, and who, for reasons of age, physical handicap and family responsibility, are faced with considerable hardship to maintain their present stalls.

( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, it has been the policy of the Ministry of the Environment to relocate, on request, hawkers who have moved to Housing Board estates to markets/food centres nearer to their new residences. Relocation is, however, subject to vacant stalls apportioned for the same article of sale, being available.

asked the Minister for National Development if he will request the Public Works Department to construct bus shelters in front of Apartment Block 40, Bedok South Road and Apartment Block 65, New Upper Changi Road.

Mr Speaker, Sir, a bus shelter has been provided near Apartment Block 40, Bedok South Road. The bus shelter at Apartment Block 65, New Upper Changi Road, will be completed by September 1979.

asked the Minister for National Development if he will consider installing traffic lights at the junction of New Upper Changi Road and Bedok South Avenue 1.

Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not necessary, at present, to provide traffic lights at the junction of New Upper Changi Road and Bedok South Avenue 1 as the turning traffic is light even during peak hours. The Public Works Department will, however, keep this junction under observation and provide the lights if traffic volume warrants it at a future date.

asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board will consider the early resettlement of those illiterate residents, who have been living for many years in a house now affected by redevelopment but whose addresses on their identity cards remain unchanged or have been changed recently although the street name had long ago been changed, as there has been a long delay in dealing with such cases.

Mr Speaker, Sir, our resettlement policy entitles residents, who have been staying at a clearance site on or before the resettlement eligibility cut-off date, to resettlement benefits. This was relaxed recently to allow persons who moved into acquired land after the cut-off date and have continuously resided on the land for at least three years as at the appointed date of census to be eligible as well. The cut-off date is the first day of census for State Land or the date of Gazette Notification for acquired private land. Those who fail to change the addresses on their identity cards or change them only after the cut-off date can submit other documents to substantiate their claims of residence for consideration.

asked the Minister for National Development if the Public Works Department will erect proper signs to warn motorists of pedestrian zebra crossings ahead.

Mr Speaker, Sir, "Pedestrian Crossing Ahead" signs have been installed to warn motorists of the presence of zebra crossings. Some of these signs may not be easily seen by approaching motorists, e.g. at a bend or crest of a road. The Public Works Department will be conducting a survey to find out whether more warning signs should be installed at existing zebra crossings.

To ask the Minister for National Development (a) if the development plan for Nee Soon New Town has been completed; (b) what is the number of projected housing units in Nee Soon New Town and when these units will be completed; and (c) how many units of flats will be built in Nee Soon New Town in the next three years.

Dr Koh.

Question No. 7, Sir.

Mr Speaker, Sir, under the Master Plan for Nee Soon New Town, 907 hectares of land will be used for public housing, middle income housing and light industrial development. Approximately 40,000 units of HDB flats will be built in Nee Soon New Town over the next 15 to 20 years. The Housing and Development Board will build 1,500 units of flats in Nee Soon New Town in the next three years.

asked the Minister for National Development whether he will consider installing a traffic light system at the junction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 and Avenue 8.

Mr Speaker, Sir, traffic lights are being installed at the junction of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 and Avenue 8. Installation work will be completed by September 1979.

asked the Minister for National Development if he will consider allowing the conversion of three instead of two units of void deck space for use as community halls.

Mr Speaker, Sir, a community hall equivalent to a HDB 3-room flat occupying two bays of the void deck is provided for each constituency. Generally this has been found to be adequate. The Housing and Development Board, in addition, will be converting additional void decks for the Residents' Committees and its Constituency's Committee Office. Part of this may be used to supplement the community hall, if the need arises.

asked the Minister for Trade and Industry what are the plans to enlarge the facilities of Sentosa Island to make it more attractive to both Singaporeans and the tourists.

Sir, the Sentosa Development Corporation has several plans to make Sentosa Island more attractive to both Singaporeans and the tourists. The first is to encourage the private sector to participate in the development of the Island. One such development is the construction of resort hotels of world class standard. Tenders for the hotel sites are being drawn up and will be called sometime this year. The Ministry of Trade and Industry is finalising the incentives to be given to the first one or two hotels. A second private development is the construction of a seafood restaurant on a kelong. Tenders for the sites have just been called. Thirty hectares of the northern foreshore of Sentosa are being reclaimed. When completed, the reclaimed land will form part of a site to be leased to the Sentosa Golf Club for the development of a second 18-hole golf course. This course will be of championship standards and will be suitable for the World Cup. A mini-rail of 8.5 km in length is being planned. It will be the first of its kind in Singapore and will form the permanent transport system on Sentosa as well as provide fun rides for visitors, especially children. This rail will start at the Jetty or Carlton Hill and will wind its way through the scenic spots of the Island and stop at all centres of attraction. Tenders for a musical fountain have also been called. The fountain, the first of its kind in Singapore, will be visible to visitors to the World Trade Centre. These are some of the more interesting plans for Sentosa.

asked the Minister for Trade and Industry, in view of the dissatisfaction of certain categories of employers at having to pay 2 per cent of monthly wage into a Skills Development Fund, if he will state the rationale of this levy, and why this contribution should be made by employers whose businesses do not require the use of skilled labour.

Sir, the Prime Minister, at the National Day Rally on 19th August, 1979, has explained fully the rationale for the Government's wage policy this year. Nevertheless, I would like to briefly restate the rationale in the context of the training cess and the Skills Development Fund. We have to upgrade and restructure our economy promptly, if our economy is to continue to grow at 8% per annum, with the available labour supply. We cannot afford to continue with low-wage, unskilled and labour-intensive activities. In a full employment situation, we simply do not have the abundant labour that is required to satisfy the needs of labour-intensive industries and services. The rapid inflow of foreign workers cannot be our solution, as large scale entry of such workers creates social and other problems. The only real solution is to encourage economy in the use of labour and to shift away from low value-added, labour-intensive activities to higher value-added industries and services that employ less labour, use more machines and have a higher skill and technological content. Moreover, our fully employed relatively better educated and trained population should be deployed in activities that are able to maximise their fullest potential. External factors are also a crucial consideration in our restructuring policy. More and more developing countries with plentiful labour are adopting the strategy of rapid industrialisation through exports. China is also following this path of economic development. In the not too distant future, we will not be able to compete with them in unskilled, labour-intensive exports. We are an open free-enterprise economy. The only effective way to induce employers to economise on workers and produce higher value-added products and services is to have correct wage signals. We could have closed the door to foreign workers and let the free market push up wages. The effects of such a course of action would have been traumatic. We have, therefore, adopted the more gradual alternative of guidelines setting a higher wage increase phased out over three to four years to give time to our employers to adjust. Wages for the lower paid workers must go up by around 20% annually over three to four years to induce employers to optimise the use of labour and to restructure their business. The package of wage cost increases comprises an average 14% increase in wages for workers, a 2% training levy and a 4% increase in employers' CPF contribution. This package provides a buffer of 6% which in the event of a deep recession could be removed or lowered to moderate wage cost increases of employers. Moreover, if the wage cost increase of 20% were to be passed on fully to workers, the sudden jump in purchasing power will be too inflationary. Besides providing the buffer, the training levy serves as an economic tax. It is not a fiscal tax, as its purpose is not to raise public revenue. It is an economic tax to penalise employers who make no effort to reduce their dependence on cheap labour and improve their methods of production. Such employers will pay more for excessive use of our limited manpower and uneconomic employment of our relatively better educated and trained workers in unskilled jobs. On the other hand, employers can minimise their manpower cost increases by cutting down excessive employment of workers. Employers who are prepared to upgrade and restructure their operations and train their workers to do enlarged jobs and in new and higher skills will be able to benefit from the Skills Development Fund. The training levy, as an economic tax, must therefore be applied across-the-board. This is not merely for administrative convenience. Exempting any particular sector or business from the training levy, simply because it employs unskilled workers, will undermine the basis of our restructuring policy. Moreover, as the wage increases in this sector will then have to be higher by the amount of the exempted levy, this unskilled sector or business will attract more workers to do unskilled work. Furthermore, no industry in Singapore can claim that they have reached the peak of efficiency such that there is no room for further improvement or that their operations are so rudimentary as to defy introduction of more skill-intensive methods or labour-saving devices.

Mr Speaker, Sir, what will the employer benefit by paying this levy of 2% if his company does not require skilled workers?

Mr Speaker, Sir, I have said that it is an economic tax. I have also said that I do not believe there are workers whose skills cannot be improved. Therefore, I feel that this levy is of benefit to the whole economy. In the case of the Government, it might also be claimed, for example, that there is not very much that we can do in the way of improving skills. In the legislation which I am going to introduce today, it is prescribed that Government bodies and statutory corporations will also contribute to this 2% levy, and I hope that the Government would, by initiating training schemes, also benefit by disbursements from this levy.

Mr Speaker, Sir, do I hear correctly that it is the intention of the Government to allow employers to have as many work permit holders as they desire?

Sir, that is not correct. I do not think I have stated this anywhere in my statement. He must have derived this from some other source.

Sir, is it then the intention of the Government to impose an annual quota of work permit holders that can come into Singapore?

Sir, the intention is that, when we are able, we shall limit the entry of workers into Singapore. Until that is done, we will by a more gradual process try and minimise the import of labour from other countries.

Sir, is it not the intention of the Government over the next three years to allow employers to have as many work permit holders as they desire?

Sir, I thought I have made it clear that the answer is no, and that while we do not want to have the restriction imposed immediately, the intention is to gradually increase the restriction on workers entering into Singapore.

Sir, what is the likely nature of this restriction? In other words, what is the percentage decrease? Can the Minister give us some order of magnitude?

Sir, I think the administrative problem is that there will be applications and that the Economic Development Board will assess the necessity of any particular numbers of workers which may be required and which cannot be found from either increasing the skills of the workers in Singapore and therefore reducing the numbers employed. The administration of this particular restriction will be, of course, done with considerable prudence so as not to disrupt the economy of Singapore.

Sir, the question really at the back of my mind is how effective the new wage policy is going to be if, over the next three or four years, employers are allowed to have as many work permit holders as they wish? Secondly, if such is the case, then would there not be greater wage distortions in the economy? Thirdly, because of these wage distortions might the employers not have the incentive of getting rid of more senior workers in favour of immigrant workers so as to save their wage costs?

Sir, all I need to say is that we will try to administer the new policy judiciously.

asked the Minister for Trade and Industry what steps are being taken to ensure that the wage-earners' take-home pay in real terms, taking into account the recent increment recommended by the National Wages Council, will not be eroded by excessive and unjustifiable price increases in goods and services.

Mr Speaker, Sir, excessive and unjustifiable price increases in goods and services, i.e., profiteering, will occur when there is inadequate competition, short supply or inadequate market information. In general, we can ensure that the wage-earners' income is not eroded by profiteering by giving attention to several conditions. First, there should be genuine competition, without monopoly or cartel practices, especially in the production and sale of essential commodities like rice, sugar and wheat flour. Secondly, there should be adequate supply and, if possible, alternative sources of supply. Thirdly, the public should have sufficient knowledge of price and quality. Last but not least, the consumers must spend wisely and not excessively. These are the basic principles guiding the Committee on Profiteering and Inflation in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The work of the Committee is being stepped up. It is now monitoring very closely the prices and supply of essential commodities as well as some semi-essential commodities. If the situation warrants it, the Committee will establish an information system in the press and over radio and television to inform the public daily of the prices of common household consumption items such as rice, flour, bread, cooking oil, vegetables, fish and meat. The Committee will also work with INTRACO and other organisations to look always for cheaper sources of supply. It will study the market structure of relevant commodities to see whether there are cartel or monopolistic practices. The Committee is working closely with organisations such as CASE and the NTUC Welcome and other Cooperatives in their efforts to curb profiteering and educate consumers.

asked the Minister for Trade and Industry what are the causes for the apparent shortage in the supply of diesel oil recently; whether there is any truth in the allegation of hoarding; and what measures are being taken to ensure continuity of supply.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the shortage in the supply of diesel in Singapore is the direct result of the global oil shortage. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has issued a statement to the public in the earlier part of this week explaining the causes of the shortage and the measures that have to be taken. I will now elaborate on this Statement. Diesel sold at the pumps for the first half of this year has gone up by 27% over the same period last year. This is much faster than the average rate of increase of 9% for the previous three years. The surge in demand is due to a number of factors. Firstly, the economy is growing at a faster pace than last year. Secondly, more Singapore registered diesel vehicles are on the road. As at January 1979, the number of such vehicles totalled 33,200, an increase of 15% as compared with the increase of 9% a year before. Thirdly, more lorries are also coming into Singapore from across the Causeway because of increased trade with West Malaysia. This trade has grown by 27% this year as compared with 6% last year. The increased number of lorries coming in is compounded by their abnormal purchases of diesel from Singapore because of a diesel shortage in Malaysia. Finally, prices at the pumps are lower than the prices paid by industrial consumers. Some industrial users are suspected to have been buying from the pumps. On the supply side, the world's supply of crude oil has fallen short of demand by about 5% since the Iranian crisis at the beginning of the year. Oil companies have in recent months been unable to supply sufficient quantities of diesel to the pumps to satisfy the surge in demand. Hoarding Hoarding occurs whenever there is a shortage of any goods. I therefore believe that there is some truth in the allegation of hoarding. Measures We have asked the oil companies to try and supply additional diesel to the pumps. In the short term, they can be expected to meet our request. In the longer term, we cannot expect to obtain additional supplies easily and cheaply because of the global oil shortage. We must, therefore, adjust our consumption to the available supply in future and change our life-style accordingly. The customs duty of 6 cents per litre imposed on diesel sold at the pumps in the earlier part of this week will help to encourage economy of consumption as well as eliminate the price differential between industrial diesel and diesel sold at the pumps. As oil companies are restricting supply of diesel to the Singapore market, we have to control purchases by non-Singapore registered vehicles to ensure that they do not buy abnormal volumes of diesel from Singapore. They will be allowed to buy limited quantities from a few licensed petrol kiosks. Since there is a global oil shortage, we cannot expect supply to be always adequate to meet our requirements. However, the above measures should help to ease shortages if we adjust our life-style accordingly, and curtail our consumption.

asked the Minister for National Development, in view of the heavy traffic congestion daily at the junction in front of MacRitchie Reservoir, if he will consider constructing a flyover at that place so as to alleviate the traffic congestion.

Mr Speaker, Sir, a north-south arterial road from Avenue 1, Ang Mo Kio, to Thomson Road is presently under construction. It will provide an alternative high-capacity road linking Ang Mo Kio New Town to Thomson Road, by-passing the junction in front of MacRitchie Reservoir. This scheme is expected to be completed by October 1979. There is, therefore, no need to build a flyover at MacRitchie Reservoir junction. To cater for traffic in the 1980s from the Upper Thomson Corridor to the City, there are plans to build an expressway joining Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 to Balestier Road. This expressway will cater for the traffic demand generated by Ang Mo Kio as well as Nee Soon New Town in the 1980s.

asked the Minister for National Development how many applications for change of use of premises into association offices have been rejected by the Building Control Division in 1977, 1978, and the first seven months of 1979; and whether steps have been taken to develop a piece of land in Geylang to accommodate those civic and clan associations which have been affected by urban renewal or whose applications for change of use of premises have been rejected.

Sir, 18 applications for change of use of premises into association offices were rejected in 1977 and 12 in 1978. Three were rejected in the first seven months of 1979. My Ministry is considering several parcels of State land for the development of association or religious buildings. These will be sold through the next URA sale of sites for private development. A number of these sites are in the Geylang area.

asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether he is aware of the seizure by the Building Control Division of fittings and furniture belonging to a certain civic association in spite of the discontinuance of any meeting or activity since its application for change of use of the premises into association office had been rejected; (b) which section of the relevant law empowers the Director of the Building Control Division to order seizure of the association's property; and (c) if he will instruct the Building Control Division in future to exercise more flexibility under the circumstances.

Sir, I presume the hon. Member is referring to the Hwa Siah Musical Association at No. 86A, Lorong 25A. Geylang Road. An application to use the premises as an association was disapproved in August 1978 because the use of residential flats for non-residential purposes cannot be allowed. There were also complaints from neighbourhood residents about the excessive noise caused by the playing of musical instruments until late at night. The Building Control Division gave the Association a grace period till April 1979 to look for alternative premises. However, the BCD found subsequently that the flat was still being used as association premises. A removal exercise by the BCD was scheduled for 20th July 1979. However, the exercise was not carried out because of an appeal from the hon. Member. The BCD team did not seize any property. The Assistant Director, Building Control Division, is empowered under section 7 of the Building Control Act to seize all movable property found in a building that has been converted to an unauthorised use. The Building Control Division has always exercised flexibility in carrying out enforcement action. The operator is always given ample time to cease the unauthorised use. Seizure of property is carried out only as a last resort.

asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether facilities at the Changi Point Jetty will be expanded to relieve the present congestion and to cope with the increasing sea traffic plying between Changi Point and the nearby offshore islands, like Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong Besar, and Pengarang in south-eastern Johore; and (b) whether further dredging work will be carried out to deepen the sea at the Jetty so as to enable boats to have better access to the Jetty at low tide.

Sir, the Changi Point Jetty was reconstructed and the jetty deck extended as recently as 1978. The Ministry, therefore, has no plans to expand further the facilities at the Changi Point Jetty. Dredging work, however, will be carried out to deepen the navigational channels within Changi Creek. Work will start in September and will be completed by November 1979.

asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Animal Infirmary will run a mobile unit to make its services readily available to people who own pets and live far away from the Infirmary; and (b) whether officials from the City Veterinary Centre can regularly visit areas which are affected by resettlement to collect pets abandoned by people who have moved to Housing and Development Board flats.

Sir, the Animal Infirmary treats about 18,000 pet cases a year. There are no plans to provide a mobile unit, as it will be too costly. Furthermore, a mobile unit will not efficiently utilise professional staff which is in short supply in the Primary Production Department. Pet treatment services are also offered by licensed private veterinarians. Some of them make house calls to treat pets which cannot be conveniently transported. The Dog Control Unit regularly visits areas which are affected by development schemes to collect pets abandoned by people who have been resettled. In 1978, the Unit collected 21,000 abandoned dogs and cats. Mobile teams from the Unit will continue to patrol affected areas.

asked the Minister for National Development, in the light of current complaints received by the Consumers' Association of Singapore (CASE), if he will explain why no provision was made in the Sale of Commercial Properties Act, 1979, to protect purchasers of commercial properties where such properties had been fully paid for but where purchasers had not yet been issued with strata titles although a certificate of fitness for occupation had been issued by the Building Authority; and if he will consider a cut-off date for strata titles to be issued to purchasers of commercial properties already fully paid for before the Act came into operation.

Sir, the Sale of Commercial Properties Act and Rules came into force on 20th July 1979. It requires developers to use a prescribed form of agreement which, among other things, stipulates a date for the issue of strata titles. Although the law does not apply to agreements already entered into before 20th July 1979, we are closely monitoring the situation. Where developers are considered to have unduly delayed the issue of strata titles, a cut-off date will be set for the issue of such titles. Appropriate action will be taken against developers who fail to meet the cut-off date.

asked the Minister for National Development if he will consider constructing a pedestrian crossing or an overhead bridge at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3 for the safety of the pupils of Ang Mo Kio and Mayflower Primary Schools.

Sir, the Public Works Department will install a pedestrian crossing with push-button signals across Ang Mo Kio Avenue 3, near Ang Mo Kio and Mayflower Primary Schools, in December 1979. Construction work will be completed by January 1980.

asked the Minister for Social Affairs whether there is sufficient manpower for the ambulances as, when an ambulance attends a call from a flat resident, usually only one attendant goes up to the flat and the sick person is carried down on a canvas sheet instead of on a proper stretcher.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Geylang Serai may like to know that the Singapore Fire Brigade has sufficient staff for the manning of 16 ambulances to cover the whole of Singapore. From 15th April this year, there are three officers for each ambulance instead of two. Each ambulance is manned by an ambulance officer who is a staff nurse, an attendant and a driver. The canvas sheet which the Member for Geylang Serai mentioned is actually a specially designed stretcher which is also used in the Accident & Emergency Departments of hospitals. This type of stretcher is ideal for use in Housing & Development Board apartment blocks. As it is not rigid like a normal stretcher, it permits the ambulance crew to manoeuvre narrow corridors, sharp corners, staircases and small lifts and lobbies. The patient is transferred to the normal stretcher at the ground floor. Each ambulance is equipped with at least two normal stretchers which are used to transport patients to hospitals.

asked the Minister for Social Affairs when construction of the Sports Centre at Burghley Drive will commence, when it will be completed and what will be the facilities in the Sports Centre.

Sir, construction of sports facilities at Burghley Drive is likely to begin in December 1979 following the proposed tender date in September 1979. The date of completion is targeted for August 1980. The Centre will consist of four tennis courts and six squash courts.

3.10 p.m.

"to amend the Factories Act, 1973 (No. 6 of 1973)". presented by the Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour (Mr Fong Sip Chee); read the First time: to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed.

"to amend the Civil Law Act (Chapter 30 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Law and Science and Technology (Mr E. W. Barked); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (Chapter 112 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Home Affairs (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 Cinematograph Film Hire Duty Act (Chapter 132 of the Revised Edition)", 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 impose a skills development levy on employers and for the establishment of a Skills Development Fund and for purposes connected therewith", 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 Road Traffic Act (Chapter 92 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture (Mr Ong Teng Cheong); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to establish a corporation to be known as the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation and to provide for the transfer to the Corporation of the functions, services, staff, assets and liabilities of the Government in respect of, or appertaining to, television and sound broadcasting, and for matters connected therewith, and to amend the Broadcasting and Television Act (Chapter 83 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr Ong Teng Cheong; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Housing and Development Act (Chapter 271 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for National Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan); 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. 3.15 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The existing Pharmacists Registration Act provides, inter alia, for a Pharmacy Board which has the Director of Medical Services as its President and Registrar. It has been considered that the pharmaceutical profession ought to be self-governing. Hence the Pharmacists Registration (Amendment) Bill seeks to alter the composition of the Pharmacy Board to comprise members of the profession only. The Chief Pharmacist of the Ministry of Health will, therefore, be the President and Registrar of the Board. The existing Act provides that any person who holds any qualifications recognised by the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain can be registered as a Pharmacist in Singapore. The Bill seeks to discard this dependency on the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain by establishing our own sine qua non for registration. This will enable us to control the type and quality of Pharmacists in Singapore. This Bill re-defines the registration requirements of Pharmacists, so that registration is restricted to persons who have obtained pharmaceutical qualifications from the University of Singapore and persons who possess qualifications approved by the Minister for Health. There are sections in the existing Act which pertain to the Pharmacy trade. These provisions, which control the trade and the safety, quality and efficacy of pharmaceutical products, have been made in the Medicines Act of 1975. This Bill seeks to update the present Act by a deletion of those sections which have been adequately covered by the Medicines Act.

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. 3.20 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "Thai"the Bill be now read a Second time." This is a short Bill which deals with the taking of evidence in Singapore for use in civil or commercial proceedings abroad. At present, the law governing this matter is contained in certain United Kingdom Acts of Parliament of the last century - the Foreign Tribunals Evidence Act of 1856 and the Evidence by Commission Acts of 1859 and 1885. It is desirable to replace these old statutes with our own legislation and at the same time modernise the law. In the United Kingdom itself the old statutes have been replaced by the Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act, 1975. Another reason for this Bill is to enable us to give effect to Singapore's recent accession to the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters of 1968. The main objective of this Convention is to facilitate the taking of evidence in member countries for use in civil or commercial matters. The Convention enables evidence to be taken in one member country for use in another member country. The Bill will empower our High Court to take evidence of witnesses present in Singapore for use in civil proceedings pending or contemplated in a foreign country. "Civil proceedings" is defined in clause 2 of the Bill to mean proceedings in any civil or commercial matter but the definition specifically excludes proceedings arising out of any fiscal, monetary or revenue law or measure. The exclusion is to ensure that our courts will not be obliged to render assistance in the enforcement of the customs, foreign exchange, taxation and other fiscal or monetary measures of other countries. The Bill does not deal with the taking of evidence for use in criminal proceedings. This will continue to be governed by the unrepealed provisions of the United Kingdom Evidence by Commission Act, 1885, so far as Commonwealth countries are concerned, and by section 43 of the Extradition Act in respect of non-Commonwealth countries. 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 E.W. Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.

Order for Second Reading read. 3.25 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The purpose of the Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Bill, 1979, is to remove the requirement to register joint surnames for illegitimate children. Section 10(1) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act requires an illegitimate child to have the surnames of both the father and mother if they are joint informants of the birth. This provision was introduced more than 40 years ago with the enactment of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act on 1st July, 1938. However, it was not strictly enforced until October, 1973, when the Registry of Births and Deaths began to check the marriage certificates of parents because of the marriage restriction policy for work permit holders. From October 1973 to April 1979, 1,109 children were registered with joint surnames. Joint surnames are an unnecessary stigma to children born illegitimately. The Amendment Bill before the House will enable an illegitimate child to be registered under the father's surname if the father is an informant of the birth. Where the father is not an informant, the mother's surname will be given to the child. This is to prevent mothers from fraudulently declaring a person to be the child's father. The Bill will also enable any parent or guardian of an illegitimate child, registered under either the joint surnames of the father and the mother or the surname of the mother, to change the child's surname to that of the father where the father was an informant of the birth of the child. When the child comes of age at 21 years, he may apply for the change himself. Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and com mined to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Chua Sian Chin]. Bill considered in Committee: reported without amendment: read a Third time and passed.

Order for Second Reading read. 3.30 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." This Bill deals with a highly complex and technical area of law important to international trade and finance. It codifies the law on sovereign immunity whereby foreign States can claim immunity from the jurisdiction of civil courts and tribunals in Singapore. At present, the matter is governed by common law, where under the doctrine of absolute immunity, a foreign state or any of its agencies is immune from virtually all legal proceedings before our courts. This doctrine has been the subject of a great deal of criticism in the courts in the United Kingdom as well as the Privy Council. These courts have shown a tendency to modify the doctrine to prevent injustice and to bring the common law more in accord with present-day conditions. Many states and agencies of state are nowadays engaged in commercial or trading activities and there is little justification to preclude persons dealing with these states or state agencies in such activities from any legal redress. Both the United States and the United Kingdom have enacted legislation to replace the common law rules of sovereign immunity in application to foreign states or state agencies when engaged in commercial or trading activities. It is considered desirable, not only as a measure of law reform but also to promote Singapore as a financial and commercial centre, that the law on the subject, so far as it concerns commercial or trading activities by states or state agencies, should be clearly established by legislation. It is to be noted that since section 5 of our Civil Law Act provides that the law of England is to be applied in all questions or issues which arise or which have to be decided in Singapore with respect to commercial matters, it is possible that the United Kingdom State Immunity Act can be held to apply to Singapore. As there are certain provisions in the United Kingdom Act which are not appropriate to Singapore, particularly those concerning the European Convention on State Immunity, it is preferable to enact our own legislation so as to preclude the application of the United Kingdom Act to Singapore. This Bill is based on the United Kingdom State Immunity Act, 1978, but has been modified to suit our needs and circumstances. Members will note that the Explanatory Statement to the Bill sets out clearly and fully the cases and circumstances in which foreign states or state agencies will not be able to plead immunity before our courts and tribunals. Lastly, I would draw attention to the fact that this Bill is not concerned with diplomatic immunities and privileges or immunity from criminal jurisdiction. 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 E.W. Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.

Order for Second Reading read.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Prior to the liberalisation of exchange controls on 1st June, 197 8, money-changers and remittance shops were licensed annually by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Exchange Control Act. Licences and permits were last issued in April 1978. Following liberalisation of exchange controls, the Authority no longer has the legal power to license such institutions. As a result, money-changing and remittance businesses in Singapore are now not regulated by any law. It is necessary that the Authority should continue to license money-changers and remittance shops in order that undesirable persons are precluded from the conduct of such businesses. There were 139 licensed money-changers and 55 licensed remittance shops operating in Singapore last year. A proliferation of money-changers, especially in favoured locations, may cause them to become a nuisance to tourists. In the case of remittance shops, regulation is necessary as they are handling funds of the public. The Money-changing and Remittance Businesses Bill now before the House provides for the licensing of persons who carry on money-changing or remittance business. The terms "money-changing business" and "remittance business" are defined in clause 2 of the Bill. Clause 3 specifically exempts retail shops and others who customarily accept foreign currency notes in payment for goods and services from the requirement of a money-changer's licence. Under clause 19, banks are exempted from the provisions of the Act. Apart from these categories, the Authority is empowered to exempt any person or class of persons from the provisions of the Act. Clause 7 provides that the Authority may grant a licence with or without conditions or refuse to grant a licence without giving any reasons. In granting a licence, factors such as the character and financial position of the applicant, the quality of management of the company, if the applicant is a company, and the public interest will be taken into consideration. The Authority is empowered to vary the conditions of a licence or impose new conditions. A person who carries on money-changing or remittance business without a licence or who contravenes the conditions of a licence granted to him commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $5,000 or to imprisonment for a maximum term of six months or to both such fine and imprisonment. The Authority may appoint officers to inspect premises carrying on or suspected of carrying on money-changing or remittance business. Any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to admit such officers to inspect the premises or fails to provide books or documents required by the officers in the course of investigation, commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a maximum fine of $2,000. Clause 10 provides that a licensee who fails to comply with the conditions of his licence may have his licence revoked. Such a person may, within 21 days of the receipt of the notice of revocation or within such extended period of time as the Minister may allow, appeal in writing to the Minister whose decision shall be final. Transitional provisions have been made in the Bill to enable a person who has been carrying on money-changing or remittance business, before the coming into force of this legislation, to continue doing so without a licence for a period of three months. Before the expiration of this period, he must apply for a licence to enable him to continue his business. 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.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The main amendments in the Bill before the House deal with divorce. Other amendments deal with maintenance provisions for wives and children and with offences relating to women and girls. Opportunity has also been taken to amend certain sections of the Act to remove anomalies which have been observed in applying the law since its inception in 1961 and to improve administrative procedures. Clauses 2 to 12 of the Bill provide for the renaming of the certificate for marriage issued by the Registrar to marriage licence. This will remove the confusion existing now between the certificate of marriage issued to couples after their marriage has been solemnised and the certificate for marriage which is the licence to marry. The licence to be issued by the Minister under section 20 of the Act for a marriage of a minor is to be called a Special Marriage Licence. The language used in the present solemnisation address in section 22(2) of the Act is archaic and not easily understood. It has been simplified in clause 10. Clause 11 empowers the Registrar of Marriages to compound the offence of late registration of marriage for a sum not exceeding $400. Presently, the penalty prescribed under section 33 for the offence of late registration is one ,year's imprisonment or a fine of $1,000, or both. This penalty, I feel, is unduly harsh. Under the existing law, any married woman may apply to a District or Magistrate Court for her husband to make a monthly allowance for her children and herself under certain circumstances, e.g. if he has deserted her, is living in adultery with another woman or is a habitual drunkard. An additional clause has been included in the Bill which provides a husband with a defence against such a claim for maintenance by his wife in a District or Magistrate Court if he can prove that she has committed adultery or that she has deserted him. The existing procedures for the enforcement of a maintenance order in favour of a wife and child have been revised. Provisions to expedite the enforcement of maintenance orders made by the High Court and to make such proceedings less expensive for the wife or divorced wife have been introduced in the Bill, Clause 14 allows a District Court to enforce a maintenance order made by the High Court, and clause 15 enables the District Court to make an attachment of earnings order to secure payments which the defendant is required to make under a maintenance order made by the High Court. The defendant is also required to inform the Court which made an attachment of earnings order against him of any changes in his employment and earnings. Clause 17 of the Bill repeals and re-enacts Part IX of the Women's Charter which deals with divorce. Under the existing law, divorce is only granted when the petitioner proves that the erring spouse has committed a matrimonial offence such as adultery, desertion or cruelty. Parties to a marriage, however, have no difficulty in securing a divorce by collusion and by fabricating evidence. There is thus a cynical disrespect for the law and the institution of marriage. When the petition is contested, the system leads to unnecessary bitterness and has harmful effects on the children. We have studied law reforms in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia, and in all these countries the "fault" concept of divorce has been abandoned in favour of the principle of irretrievable breakdown of marriage. The Bill before the House introduces new grounds for the dissolution of marriage, for divorce, judicial separation and for a decree of nullity of marriage. Two main changes are proposed. The first is that a couple can jointly petition for a divorce by mutual consent, provided they have been married for at least three years. The second change is that, where one party petitions for a divorce, it is necessary to prove that the marriage has broken down irretrievably. The grounds for establishing that a marriage has broken down irretrievably are similar to those provided in the existing Act, e.g., adultery, cruelty, desertion, etc. But the principle to be satisfied is that the petitioner finds it intolerable or cannot reasonably be expected to live with the defendant. Other proposed changes of the grounds for divorce are:-

Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Resolved, "That the Women's Charter (Amendment) Bill be committed to a Select Committee consisting of Mr Speaker as Chairman and seven Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection." - [Dr Ahmad Mattar].

Order for Third Reading read. 3.53 p.m.

Notice has been given by the Acting Minister for Social Affairs that he wishes to propose amendments to clause 91 of the Bill. The Bill accordingly stands recommitted to a Committee of the whole Parliament in respect of that clause. Any other Member who wishes to propose other amendments or new clauses or schedules is required to give notice of his desire before Parliament resolves itself into a Committee on the recommitted matter. Committee stage, what day?

Now, Sir. Bill considered in Committee.

3.55 p.m. Clause 91 -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 38, line 38, after "decision", to insert "in accordance with subsection (3)". Clause 91 of the Bill states that disputes among members of co-operative societies and between members and societies shall be referred to the Registrar for a decision. The proposed amendment will specify that the Registrar's decision must be made in accordance with subsection (3) which spells out the procedure for the settlement of the disputes. Amendment agreed to.

Sir, I beg to move, In page 39, line 11 to line 32 in page 40, to leave out sub-clauses (3) to (10) and insert new sub-clauses (3), (4), (5) and (6)* as set out in the Order Paper Supplement. *New sub-clauses (3), (4), (5) and (6) read as follows: "(3) The Registrar shall, on receipt of a reference under subsection (1), have regard to the nature and complexity of the dispute, and decide whether -

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name as it appears on the Order Paper. *The motion reads as follows: That this Parliament, pursuant of section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 53), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be amended by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following:-- Old Title or New Title or Name of Office Name of Office Director, Botanic Gardens ) Commissioner of Parks and ) Recreation ) Botanist, Botanic Gardens ) Deputy Commissioner of ) Parks and Recreation ) Curator, Botanic Gardens ) Assistant Commissioner of ) Parks and Recreation ) ) Curator of Parks and ) Recreation The motion seeks to amend the following old titles of office to the current titles: Old Title or New Title or Name of Office Name of Office Director, Botanic Gardens ) Commissioner of Parks and ) Recreation Botanist, Botanic Gardens ) Deputy Commissioner of Parks ) and Recreation Curator, Botanic Gardens ) Assistant Commissioner of Parks ) and Recreation ) Curator of Parks and Recreation Before 1965, the Botanic Gardens was a unit under the Ministry of National Development. In 1973, the Botanic Gardens and the Parks and Trees Unit of the Public Works Department were integrated to form the Parks and Recreation Division of the Public Works Department. In 1976, the Parks and Recreation Department became a separate department, i.e., the Parks and Recreation Department, under the Ministry. Consequent to these changes, the titles of office have been re-designated. Hence it is necessary to amend the old titles to the new titles. Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, pursuant to Section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 53), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be amended by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following:- Old Title or New Title or Name of Office Name of Office Director, Botanic Gardens ) Commissioner of Parks and ) Recreation Botanist, Botanic Gardens ) Deputy Commissioner of Parks ) and Recreation Curator, Botanic Gardens ) Assistant Commissioner of Parks ) and Recreation ) Curator of Parks and Recreation

Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to Friday, 21st September, 1979." - [Mr E.W. Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Two minutes past Four o'clock p.m. to Friday, 21st September, 1979.

asked the Minister for National Development whether the Raffles Centre development project will lead to the acquisition of schools along Bras Basah Road as well as the playground of St Joseph's Institution, the grounds of St Andrew's Cathedral and the Padang in front of City Hall.

The development of Raffles City is confined to the former Raffles Institution grounds and will not affect the grounds of St Andrew's cathedral and the Padang. There are no immediate plans for further development which will affect the schools along Bras Basah and the playground of St Joseph's Institution. Tables - Number of Graduates from Students admitted for Part-time Bachelor of Accountancy Course for the 1965-66 to 1969-70 Academic Years, Number of Graduates from Students admitted for Part-time Bachelor of Laws Course for the 1957-58 to 1960-61 Academic Years (Cols. 423 - 424)