Hansard, 1980-06-25

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:- Dr Goh Keng Swee (Kreta Ayer), First Deputy Prime Minister - from 28th March to 26th April and from 22nd to 29th June, 1980. Mr Chor Yeok Eng (Bukit Timah), Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment - from 31st March to 16th April, 1980. Mr Lee Khoon Choy (Braddell Heights), Senior Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office - from 3rd to 5th April and from 26th May to 21st June, 1980. Mr S. Dhanabalan (Kallang), Minister for Foreign Affairs - from 13th to 21st April, from 27th April to 9th May, from 23rd to 29th May and from 24th to 29th June, 1980. Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi) - from 13th to 27th April, 1980. Mr S. Rajaratnam (Kampong Glam), Second Deputy Prime Minister (Foreign Affairs) - from 14th to 26th April, from 23rd to 31st May, from 11th to 14th June and from 24th to 30th June, 1980. Mr E.W. Barker (Tanglin), Minister for Law and Science and Technology and Leader of the House - from 14th April to 17th May, 1980. Dr Augustine H.H. Tan (Whampoa) - from 14th to 10th April, from 24th to 29th April, from 9th to 11th June and on 25th and 26th June, 1980. Dr Lau Teik Soon (Serangoon Gardens) - from 19th to 26th April, 1980. Mr Ong Teng Cheong (Kim Keat), Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture - from 21st to 23rd April and from 31st May to 9th June, 1980. Mr Tan Soo Khoon (Alexandra) - from 21st April to 8th May, 1980. Mr Goh Chok Tong (Marine Parade), Minister for Trade and Industry - from 29th April to 2nd May, 1980. Mr C.V. Devan Nair (Anson) - from 6th to 8th May, from 17th to 24th May and from 5th to 13th June, 1980. Dr Tan Eng Liang (River Valley) - from 8th to 10th May, from 24th May to 1st June and from 11th to 21st June, 1980. Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi (Kampong Kembangan) - from 8th to 12th May, from 15th to 24th May and from 23rd to 27th June, 1980. Dr Lee Chiaw Me ng (Farrer Pa?k) - from 13th to 26th May, 1980. Mr Hon Sui Sen (Havelock), Minister for Finance - from 21st May to 5th June, 1980. Mr Lim Chee Onn (Bukit Merah) - from 22nd to 24th May, 1980. Mr Chua Sian Chin (MacPherson), Minister for Home Affairs -from 24th May to 24th June, 1980. Mr Ong Pang Boon (Telok Ayer), Minister for Labour - from 25th to 28th May, 1980. Mr Tang See Chim (Chua Chu Kang), Deputy Speaker - from 26th May to 1st June, 1980. Haji Sha'ari bin Tadin (Bedok) - from 26th May to 7th June, 1980. Mr P. Selvadurai (Kuo Chuan) - from 27th May to 21st June, 1980. Dr Koh Lip Lin (Nee Soon) - on 29th May, 1980. Mr A. Rahim Ishak (Siglap), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - from 1st to 8th June, 1980. Mr Phua Bah Lee (Tampines), Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence - from 1st to 8th June, 1980. Mr Lee Yiok Seng (Bukit Panjang), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development - from 1st to 12th June, 1980. Mr Ho Kah Leong (Jurong) - from 1st to 8th June and from 10th to 12th June, 1980. Dr Ang Kok Peng, B.B.M. (Buona Vista) - from 1st to 7th June, 1980. Mr Sia Kah Hui (Upper Serangoon), Minister of State, Ministry of Labour and Government Whip - from 2nd to 20th June, 1980. Mr Rohan bin Kamis (Telok Blangah) - from 2nd to 7th June, 1980. Dr Ahmad Mattar (Brickworks), Acting Minister for Social Affairs - from 3rd to 20th June, 1980. Mr Sia Khoon Seong (Moulmein) - from 5th to 18th June, 1980. Mr Bernard Chen (Radin Mas), Minister of State, Ministry of Defence - from 8th to 18th June, 1980. Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam (Sembawang), Minister of Education - from 16th to 22nd June, 1980. Mr Yeo Toon Chia (Ang Mo Kio) - from 16th to 20th June, 1980. Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon (Tiong Bahru) - from 23rd to 25th June, 1980. YEOH GHIM SENG Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

The following Bills were assented to by the President of the Republic of Singapore on the dates stated:- 26th March, 1980 (i) Income Tax (Amendment) Bill; (ii) Estate Duty (Amendment) Bill. 29th March, 1980 (i) Supplementary Supply Bill; (ii) Supply Bill. 18th April, 1980 (i) Dentists Registration (Amendment) Bill; (ii) Poisons (Amendment) Bill; (iii) Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill; (iv) Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Bill; (v) Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Bill; (vi) Provisional Mass Rapid Transit Authority Bill: (vii) Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill; and (viii) Housing and Development (Amendment) Bill. YEOH GHIM SENG Speaker, Parliament of Singapore

asked the Minister for Labour whether he will reconsider the use of Central Provident Fund contributions for the purchase of private residential flats and houses.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the issue on whether to allow the use of CPF contributions for the purchase of private housing has been raised many times in this House. The Member's request for the use of CPF monies for the purchase of privately-built residential properties has been consistently turned down in the House since 1971. I am afraid the answer this time is the same. The housing needs of the lower income workers are adequately taken care of by allowing them to use their CPF savings to buy HDB/JTC flats. In July last year the Housing and Development Board raised its qualifying monthly family income ceiling to $2,500. In the case of middle income workers, they may use their CPF savings to buy HUDC flats and houses. The decision of HUDC in April this year to raise the monthly family income ceiling from $4,000 to $6,000 will also go a long way to meet the housing needs of the great majority of those in the middle income group. The housing needs of our workers have been largely met and there is, therefore, no compelling reason to reconsider the use of CPF contributions for the purchase of private residential flats and houses.

Mr Speaker, Sir, what is the Minister of State's justification for disallowing CPF members to withdraw their contributions? He must be aware that the funds are being eroded by inflation year after year.

Sir, they are allowed to withdraw their savings to buy HDB, HUDC and JTC flats.

If they are allowed to withdraw their savings to buy HUDC and HDB flats, why cannot they be allowed to use their CPF money to buy private houses? This is the only way to protect their money from being eroded by inflation.

Sir, I think we are going into a long argument over this. But knowing the number of people who have the money to buy privately-built houses, I think the hon. Member will probably agree with me that the number is very small. The hon. Member surely knows the cost of a privately-built house these days, and even if they were to withdraw the full credit in their CPF account I do not think there are many people who can afford to buy them.

asked the Minister for the Environment whether the Public Utilities Board will reconsider supplying electricity by means of generators to the residents of Pulau Ubin now that the contractor on whom the islanders had relied for their electricity supply has ceased such supply, thus affecting a community centre and about 150 families.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board's investigation shows that the residents of Pulau Ubin are unwilling to pay higher prices due to higher operating costs, thereby causing the contractor to cease operations. It was explained to the hon. Member for Changi in March 1977 and again in March 1979 when the question on supply of electricity to Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong was raised that it would be too expensive for the PUB to provide electricity, whether through submarine cables from the mainland or by diesel generator sets installed on the islands. With higher costs today, it would be even more expensive and not viable for the Board to do so. A number of residents have now purchased their own small capacity generating sets. This appears to be the best solution for the time being.

Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Hon. Minister whether the Public Utilities Board will provide any technical assistance should another private contractor decide to take over the project?

Mr Speaker, Sir, should there be another contractor who is willing to provide electricity to the island by the use of a generating set, the PUB will certainly give technical assistance or advice.

asked the Minister for the Environment what plans his Ministry has to monitor the quality and hygiene of food sold in school canteens.

( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir. inspectors from my Ministry carry out regular inspections of school canteens to ensure that a high standard of food hygiene is maintained. Food samples are taken regularly for analysis. Stallholders and their assistants are medically screened and inoculated against typhoid. In addition, individual schools have school canteen committees to look into the daily operations and quality of food sold by canteen stallholders. My Ministry will take enforcement action against any stallholder found operating under unhygienic conditions or selling contaminated food. In the past one year, 18 stall-holders in various school canteens were convicted and fined in court for selling contaminated food, not maintaining clean stalls and for unhygienic handling of food.

Sir, may I know whether the number of inspectors that the Ministry of the Environment has is sufficient to carry out the so-called regular inspections which he referred to, and what is the time-frequency of the regular inspections that he is talking about?

( In Mandarin): Sir, as far as the staff is concerned, it depends on the circumstances. For example, if an out- break of an infectious disease has occurred, we will have some difficulty in deploying our staff. If there is no outbreak of an infectious disease then, generally, the number of inspectors is quite sufficient to go round inspecting these places at least once a month. If any complaints are received, they will make more frequent visits to the schools concerned.

asked the Minister for Finance whether he will consider extending the Upper Timescale or introducing a new Superscale grade to narrow the gap between the two grades of the Administrative Service.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I shall always be prepared to consider demonstrable improvements to the salary structure of our Civil Service. However, hon. Members will recall that Government reviewed the Administrative Service last year. In consequence, the salary structure of the Administrative Service has been modified, and appears to me to be satisfactory. The Superscale Grades in the Government Service form the top management in the Service. The thinking, therefore, is that there should be a clear distinction between the Timescale grades and the Superscale grades to reflect their respective status and responsibilities. Such a distinction should be maintained and reflected by a significant differential in the salaries for Timescale grades and Superscale grades. It is not desirable to mar this distinction by either extending the salary scale for the Upper Timescale grade or introducing an additional Superscale grade to bridge the gap in salaries between them.

Sir, I believe the present differential between the Upper Timescale and the Superscale 'H' grades is about 33%. Whilst I appreciate the Minister's contention to retain the distinction between the Timescale officers and the Superscale officers, would not the Minister consider that 33% is too big a gap?

Sir, the gap has been operative for quite a long time and has caused no dissatisfaction. If the Member wishes to make any suggestion I will be prepared to consider it, and I hope his representations are reflective of the opinions of people who will be affected by them.

asked the Minister for National Development, in order to encourage "Home Ownership", if the Housing and Development Board will consider giving priority and concessionary rates for the purchase of new flats to Singapore Citizens who have rented the Board's flats for more than 15 years.

Mr Speaker, Sir, existing tenants of HDB rental flats can apply to purchase new flats. There are about 15,000 such applicants on the HDB's waiting list. These HDB tenants are already enjoying subsidised public housing unlike other applicants who are still waiting for their flats. There are no grounds to give priority or concessionary prices for the purchase of new flats to existing HDB tenants. However, HDB tenants can buy their present 3-room flats as sitting tenants if the majority of the tenants in the block want to do so. They will have to pay only $200 as downpayment compared to 20% of the purchase price required for public applicants, and so far 18,574 flats have been sold to sitting tenants.

asked the Minister for National Development when the planned overhead pedestrian bridge across Telok Blangah Road opposite Kampong Jagoh Malay School will be completed.

Mr Speaker, Sir, construction of the pedestrian overhead bridge across Telok Blangah Road near Kampong Jagoh Malay School will start in early July 1980 and will be completed by the end of November 1980.

asked the Minister for National Development how long ago were the traffic lights at the filter lane into Nicoll Highway from the Mountbatten Road end installed and why they are not put to use.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the traffic lights at the filter lane from Mountbatten Road into Nicoll Highway were installed in 1973 and used during the 7th SEAP Games to enable pedestrians to cross to the Stadium. From experience, it was found that operation of the lights created traffic problems along Mountbatten Road. As a result, the Ministry constructed a pedestrian overhead bridge across Nicoll Highway, near the People's Association, to enable pedestrians to cross Nicoll Highway to the Stadium. The traffic lights are, therefore, redundant and will be removed.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am glad to note that he is removing them. But will he remove them to a road junction in my constituency that is accident prone, that is, Jalan Satu/Old Airport Road junction?

Sir, I will ask the PWD to look into the request.

Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Hon. Minister please inform the House how many more lives will have to be lost before he will expedite the installation of traffic lights at major road junctions in Ang Mo Kio, and what has accounted for the apparent delay in the installation of traffic lights?

Mr Speaker, Sir, I agree with the Member for Jalan Kayu that the installation of traffic lights in Ang Mo Kio has to be expedited. In fact, I have asked the PWD to expedite the installation of these traffic lights. The traffic lights at the junction of Avenue 3 and Avenue 8, Ang Mo Kio New Town, are currently under construction. The tender was awarded on 17th April, 1980, for a period of 2 1/2 months. The work is targeted for completion by 9th July, 1980. But because accidents have occurred quite regularly there, I have asked the PWD to ask the contractor to expedite the work. I have been informed that the traffic lights will be in operation by the end of this month, i.e. in the next few days. Under the same contract, traffic lights will also be installed at the junction of Avenue 3 and Avenue 10. There will be traffic lights at nine major road junctions within Ang Mo Kio New Town. Four traffic lights are already in operation, two are under construction and three more, namely, at the junction of Avenues 5, 4, 6 and 8 will be completed within the next six months. It is rather unfortunate that a traffic accident occurred at the junction of Avenue 3 and Avenue 8 before the completion and operation of the traffic lights. However, traffic lights alone will not prevent accidents. Motorists must also exercise due caution, especially at road junctions, to prevent accidents.

asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board will consider increasing the ceiling height of its new flats.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the ceiling height of HDB flats in the initial years was 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 ins). It was increased to 2.6 metres (8 ft 6 ins) in 1973 upon metrication. As part of an overall pro- gramme to improve HDB flat designs, the ceiling height was further increased to 2.7 metres (8 ft 10 ins) in 1979. This is considered adequate and there are no plans to increase it further.

Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Minister enlighten the House why a minimum ceiling height of 3.2 metres has been imposed on private housing and not on HDB flats?

Mr Speaker, Sir, I think most private housing units have false ceilings. Sometimes they install air-conditioners, and quite often they do install ceiling fans and other appliances. In the case of the HDB flats, however, any additional installation is under strict control. We can, therefore, allow the HDB to build flats with a lower ceiling height.

Sir, will the Minister be as generous to the private developers if they give the same undertaking?

No, Sir. In the case of private developers, after they have given us their undertaking, they may sell the houses. Their undertaking will, therefore, become invalid. As regards HDB flats, the HDB continues to exercise control after the sale of the flats. Therefore, there is this difference between the HDB and the private developers.

asked the Minister for National Development whether there is any proposal to re-develop the old Singapore Improvement Trust housing estate on both sides of Norfolk Road, and, if so, whether he will consider increasing the number of storeys of flats to be built in order to maximise the use of this prime piece of land.

Mr Speaker, Sir, about 16 blocks of the existing Norfolk Estate will be affected by the widening of Norfolk Road into part of the Central Expressway and will have to be demolished. The project is scheduled to be implemented in 1982. The HDB will study the redevelopment of the remaining parts of Norfolk Estate after the completion of the road widening project in 1984.

asked the Minister for Trade and Industry what sites within Changi Constituency are earmarked by the Jurong Town Corporation for light industries and when those sites will be acquired.

Mr Speaker, Sir, Jurong Town Corporation's policy is to locate industrial estates with suitable clean factories near population centres so that residents can work near their homes. The Changi area is suitable for industrial development. There are population centres in the Changi and Tampines areas, and the new Changi International Airport will stimulate the growth of aviation supporting and servicing industries. JTC has therefore quickened the development of 106 hectares of land at the Loyang Industrial Estate. But looking ahead, JTC anticipates additional demand for factories and industrial sites in Changi. The JTC has now earmarked an additional 73 hectares of land at the Changi North Industrial Estate for industrial development. Acquisition of sites will commence towards the end of 1980. Development works will proceed immediately thereafter.

asked the Minister for Trade and Industry whether his Ministry will consider the grant of a double deduction against tax for expenses incurred by companies that participate in study missions organised by government agencies to countries with industries engaged in high technology work.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the device of granting of double tax deductions to companies should not be indiscriminately used as it could be abused, besides causing revenue loss. If it is in the interest of a company to participate in a study mission, it should do so, and it can deduct all legitimate expenses. Double tax deductions should not be a critical factor in determining participation in study missions. Moreover, confining the incentive to study missions organised by government agencies will discriminate against those organised by the private sector either as a group or individually. Also, sufficient effective incentives already exist for manufacturers to upgrade their technology and I do not see the need for an additional incentive. Their best incentives are the benefits which a technological upgrading will bring for their enterprise.

Mr Speaker, Sir, what about the smaller private companies who want to see the machines for themselves before purchasing them, as they have limited capital?

Sir, the expenses connected with their studies abroad are deductible. The companies should have at least the resources to go abroad before they can claim any tax deduction. That part of the expenses which they will incur on study missions abroad are legitimate expenses and are deductible for tax purposes.

Sir, trade missions are granted double tax deductions. I am sure the Minister would like to encourage the smaller companies to go overseas to see these machines for themselves.

Sir, unlike trade missions, in the case of missions abroad to study technological developments, there are other incentives available for the latter group, such as the accelerated depreciation allowance for investments, investment allowance scheme, capital assistance scheme for the upgrading of industries, and small industries finance scheme for purchases of capital equipment for them to upgrade their operations. There are, therefore, sufficient incentives available for even the small companies to participate in missions abroad so as to absorb new technology which they can then introduce when they come back.

2.55 p.m.

Mr Speaker, Sir, a White Paper on the Report of the Electoral Boundaries Delineation Committee has been presented to Parliament as Command 8 of 1980. The Government has decided to accept all the recommendations of the Committee. The Committee recommended, inter alia, that the boundaries of 22 constituencies be re-defined so as to have a more equal representation of electors for all constituencies. The redelineation will result in the elimination of three constituencies, namely: 1 Farrer Park 2 Geylang East 3 Upper Serangoon, but not necessarily the elimination of the Members of Parliament concerned! The electorates of these three constituencies will be absorbed by the adjacent electoral divisions. As the total electorate for the next General Elections is expected to increase by about 228,000 electors, the Committee recommended the creation of nine new constituencies, namely: 1 Ayer Rajah 2 Cheng San 3 Chong Boon 4 Clementi 5 Kaki Bukit 6 Kebun Baru 7 Tanah Merah 8 West Coast 9 Yio Chu Kang. The acceptance of the Committee's recommendations will increase the number of electoral divisions from 69 to 75. This increase will come into effect as from the next general elections. It is, therefore, necessary to introduce the Parliamentary Membership Bill, 1980, to provide for the increase in the number of members to 75. 2.57 p.m.

"to amend the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore", presented by the Minister for Law and Science and Technology (Mr E.W. Barker); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to vary the number of elected Members of Parliament", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr E.W. Barker; read the First time: to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to amend the Hire- Purchase Act (Chapter 192 of the Revised Edition)", presented by Mr E.W. Barker; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"for making Supplementary Provision for the public services for the financial year 1st April, 1980 to 31st March, 1981", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen): read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

"to give effect to the merger of the University of Singapore and the Nanyang University by the establishment and incorporation of the National University of Singapore and for matters connected therewith", presented by the Minister of Education (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.

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

3.01 p.m.

First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1980 to 31st March, 1981, contained in Paper Cmd. 6 of 1980. No notice of amendment has been received. Head N - The sum of $56,000,000 for Head N ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary EStiMates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1980 to 31st March, 1981.

Question, "That the sum of $56,000,000 shall be supplied to the Government under the head of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1980 to 31st March, 1981 contained in Paper Cmd. 6 of 1980," put, and agreed to. Resolution to be reported Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported - "That the sum of $56,000,000 shall be supplied to the Government under the head of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1980 to 31st March, 1981 contained in Paper Cmd. 6 of 1980."

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolution.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolution accordingly agreed to.

Order for Third Reading read. 3.04 p.m.

Notice has been given by the Acting Minister for Social Affairs that he desires to delete clause 15 of the Bill and to introduce a new clause in substitution, to propose amendments to clauses 21 and 28 and to introduce a new clause. The Bill accordingly stands recommitted to a Committee of the whole Parliament in respect of clauses 15, 21 and 28 and of the two new clauses. Does any Member wish to propose any other amendments or new clauses or schedules? Hon. Members indicated none.

Committee stage, what day, Mr Minister?

Now, Sir. Bill considered in Committee.

Clause 15 - Question, "That clause 15 stand part of the Bill", put, and negatived. Clause 15 accordingly disagreed to. New Clause - "Repeal 15. Section 22 of the Women's and Charter is repealed and the following sub- re-enact- stituted therefor: - ment of section "Solemn- 22.-

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the clause be read a Second time." Sir, a new section 15 is to be inserted in the bill to repeal and re-enact section 22 of the Act which deals with the solemnization of a marriage. The new subsection (2) of section 22 provides that a marriage may be solemnized by the Registrar or any person licensed to solemnize marriages according to such form and ceremony as the Registrar or that person sees fit to adopt, and in some part of the ceremony each of the parties will merely have to declare to all those present that he or she is taking the other party as his or her lawful wedded wife or husband as the case may be. This new subsection will give the Registrar or the person solemnizing a marriage some flexibility as regards the form and ceremony for the solemnization of a marriage. Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to. Clause read a Second time and added to the Bill. Clause 21 -

Sir, I beg to move, In page 6, line 39, to leave out "applicant" and insert "wife or child". Sir, the amendment to subsection (4) of section 60 of the Act appearing in clause 21 of the Bill seeks to make it clear that the court shall have regard to the circumstances of the wife or child when making an order under the section for the maintenance of the wife or child. The word "applicant" which now appears in subsection (4) of section 60 may be construed to refer to the guardian or person having custody of the child who is entitled to make an application under that section for an order for the maintenance of the child. Sir, I beg to move. Amendment agreed to. Further amendments made.- In page 6. line 42, to leave out "applicant" and insert "wife or child". - [Dr Ahmad Mattar]. In page 7, line 2, to leave out "applicant" and insert "wife or child" - [Dr Ahmad Mattar]. In page 7, lines 6 and 7, to leave out "applicant" and insert "wife or child". - [Dr Ahmad Mattar]. Clause 21, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 28 -

Sir, I beg to move, In page 15, line 22, marginal note: after "be", to insert "sole". Sir, this amendment is necessary because the Select Committee has deleted the provision in the Bill which permits parties to a marriage to present a joint petition to the court to dissolve their marriage by mutual consent. Sir, I beg to move. Amendment agreed to.

Sir, I beg to move, In page 28, lines 1 and 2, to leave out "and subject to section 107 of this Act.". Sir, this is purely an amendment consequential to the amendments made to the Bill in the Select Committee. Amendment agreed to. Clause 28, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. New Clause - "New The Women's Charter is amended by section inserting, immediately after section 167 167A. thereof, the following section:- "Recogni- 167A.-

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the clause be read a Second time." The amendments to be made to section 21 of the Act will render void a marriage contracted in Singapore unless: (a) the parties have obtained a marriage licence issued by the Registrar or a special marriage licence issued by the Minister; and (b) the marriage is solemnized by the Registrar or a person who has been granted a licence under the Act to solemnize marriages. This section is so wide that it will render void those marriages which are contracted in a foreign Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in Singapore. The new section 167A seeks to make it clear that such marriages may continue to be contracted and it makes provision for the recognition of such marriages where all the following requirements are satisfied: (a) the marriage was contracted in the form required or permitted by the law of the country whose Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate it is, or in the form permitted under the Act; (b) each of the parties had at the time of the marriage the capacity to marry under the law of the country of his or her domicile or under the law of the intended domicile of the parties after marriage: and (c) in the case where either of the parties is a citizen of or is domiciled in Singapore, both parties had the capa- city to marry under the Act. In the past, marriages had been contracted in foreign Embassies in Singapore and we do not wish to forbid such marriages. Our law will make it clear to all concerned that such marriages will be recognised as valid in Singapore when the aforesaid requirements are satisfied. Sir, I beg to move. Question put and agreed to. Clause read a Second time and added to the Bill.

This new clause is to be inserted immediately after clause 36. Amendments will also be made to re-number clauses 37 and 38 as clauses 38 and 39 respectively, consequent on the addition of the new clause. Bill reported with amendments.

Third Reading, what day?

Now, Sir. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." The Select Committee on this Bill received 18 written representations. I wish to express my appreciation to those persons who had given their views to the Select Committee. The Committee decided to make a number of amendments to the Bill after studying the re-presentations. Clause 2 of the Bill amends section 3 of the Act to make the Act apply to all persons in Singapore and also to all persons domiciled in Singapore irrespective of whether they are in or outside Singapore. The amendment has been introduced so that couples who do not have the capacity to contract a valid marriage in Singapore cannot circumvent the law by visiting another country for the sole purpose of getting married, Such a marriage will in future be void if one of the parties to the marriage does not have the capacity to marry according to the Singapore law. Clause 10(c) seeks to amend the first proviso of paragraph (b)(i) of section 16 of the Act to give persons under 21 years of age who have been married and are divorced or have had their marriages declared null and void, the capacity to re-marry. Under the existing law, a person who is under 21 years of age can re- marry if he or she is a widower or widow but is not permitted to re- marry if he or she is divorced or has had his or her marriage declared null and void. The amendment is to remove this inconsistency. Clause 19 seeks to add a new subsection (3) to section 46 of the Act to give a Conciliation Officer the power to require a party to a marriage to attend before him to settle the differences between the parties to the marriage and such person shall be legally bound to attend and answer questions truthfully. Conciliation Officers at present do not have such power. This new provision will enable Conciliation Officers to play a more effective role in settling differences between husband and wife. The proposed amendments to section 60 of the Act were criticised by a number of persons who submitted representations. Section 60 empowers the court to make orders for the maintenance of a wife and her children. Two new defences were introduced by the Bill to enable a husband to defeat an application by his wife for maintenance, namely, that the wife had committed adultery or that she had deserted him. It was pointed out that section 60 as amended by the Bill would be anomalous since the Bill sought to abolish the "fault" principle which is the basis of our existing divorce law. It was suggested that a wife should be entitled to apply for maintenance from her husband if her husband neglects or refuses to provide her with a reasonable maintenance. The Select Committee accepted this view and consequently amended the provision of the Bill to enact a new section 60 to provide that a court may grant maintenance to the wife if the husband had neglected or refused to maintain her. This principle is similar to that laid down in sections 101 and 102 in the new Part IX of the Act regarding the grant of maintenance to a former wife or for a wife when divorce proceedings are pending. New provisions which are similar to those of the UK Domestic Proceedings and Magistrate's Courts Act, 1978, which gives very wide powers to the Courts for the protection of wives and children from molestation and violence, have also been included in the Bill. Representations were made that sections 80 and 127 of the Women's Charter should be amended along the lines of the UK Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act, 1973. In Singapore, we do have cases of Singapore women marrying foreigners. Under the existing law, a woman acquires the domicile of her husband on marriage even though both parties may live here after their marriage. A woman will be unable to seek a divorce under the new Part IX of the Act even if her husband leaves her for good and returns to his country of domicile. The UK Domicile and Matrimonial Proceedings Act, 1973, abolished the wife's dependent domicile and at the same time gave the court jurisdiction to entertain proceedings for divorce, judicial separation or nullity of marriage if either of the parties to the marriage was domiciled in England on the date when the proceedings were begun or was habitually resident in England throughout the period of one year ending with that date. In 1961 when the Women's Charter was enacted, married women were given equal rights. We should now consider giving a married woman the capacity to acquire her own domicile. This recommendation has been accepted and clause 28 of the Bill amends section 80 to give a married woman the capacity to acquire her own domicile just like any person of full capacity and to give our Courts the jurisdiction to entertain matrimonial proceedings if either of the parties to the marriage is domiciled in Singapore or is habitually resident in Singapore for a period of three years immediately preceding the commencement of the proceedings. Section 82, which appeared in the Bill, permitted a couple to dissolve their marriage by mutual consent without any pre-conditions being fulfilled. This was at odds with the principles laid down in section 83(3)(d) which provides for one party to petition for a divorce when the couple have lived apart for three years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition and the respondent consents to the divorce. For this reason, section 82 has now been deleted. Furthermore, the Select Committee felt that our divorce law should not make it easy for a couple to terminate their marriage without first making an effort to overcome their difficulties. Suggestions were also made that the Court should be given more powers in enforcing maintenance orders and the power to order maintenance to be paid in one lump sum. These suggestions have been accepted and amendments have been made to sections 102 and 103(1) to that effect. The Select Committee has also raised the age limit from 18 years to 21 years for a child's entitlement to maintenance from his parents. This will take into account the fact that many male students have to serve national service first before they can go for their tertiary education. I would like to mention here that the amendments have not affected the interests of Muslims in any way. Section 3(3) of the Women's Charter provides that where both parties to a marriage are Muslims, the marriage cannot be solemnized or registered under the Charter. In other words, the marriage cannot be solemnized or registered in the Civil Registry. It does not matter if either of the parties is a convert. The marriage can only be solemnized or registered at the Registry of Muslim Marriages or by a kadi or naib kadi appointed by the President of Singapore under the Administration of Muslim Law Act (Cap. 42). Mr Speaker, Sir, all the changes recommended by the Select Committee are necessary and desirable. The Select Committee had taken a great deal of time to consider the written representations so as to provide a law which, whilst making divorce easier for those couples whose marriages have irretrievably broken down, will help save those marriages which can be saved. The amendments to the Act also give wider powers to the Courts to grant maintenance for the wife and children so that there will be less hardship on the dependants of recalcitrant husbands. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move.

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

3.29 p.m.

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 to section 9 of the Financial Procedure Act (Chapter 68), resolves that the total amount of moneys which are approved to be paid out of the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of making advance is to be increased from $71 million to $188 million. The purpose of this resolution is to augment the total amount for the Advance Accounts to cope with present and future requirements. The details and reasons for increases are set out in Paper Misc. 5 of 1980 which was presented to this House on the 16th June, 1980. Additional large amounts of funds are required mainly to cover increasing needs for funds in Building Loans, Conveyance Advances, Miscellaneous Advances, Personal Advances and Salary Advances Accounts, and the Inter-Administration Current Account. Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, pursuant to section 9 of the Financial Procedure Act (Chapter 68), resolves that the total amount of moneys which are approved to be paid out of the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of making advances is to be increased from $71 million to $188 million.

Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed." - [Mr Hon Sui Sen]. Adjourned accordingly at Thirty minutes past Three o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed.