Hansard, 1986-03-18

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES - SINGAPORE - OFFICIAL REPORT - SIXTH PARLIAMENT PART I OF SECOND SESSION VOLUME 47 Tuesday, 18th March, 1986 The House met at 11:00 AM Mr Ong Teng Cheong (Kim Keat), Second Deputy Prime Minister. Encik Othman bin Haron Eusofe (Geylang Serai). Dr Ow Chin Hock (Leng Kee). Mr Phua Bah Lee (Tampines), Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence. Mr S. Rajaratnam (Kampong Glam), Senior Minister, Prime Minister's Office. Mr Sia Khoon Seong (Moulmein). Encik Sidek bin Saniff (Kolam Ayer), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Trade and Industry. Dr Tan Cheng Bock (Ayer Rajah). Dr Dixie Tan (Ulu Pandan). Dr Augustine H.H. Tan (Whampoa). Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam (Sembawang), Minister for Education. Mr Tan Soo Khoon (Alexandra), Deputy Speaker. Mr Philip Tan Tee Yong (Paya Lebar). Mr Tang Guan Seng (Khe Bong), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education. Mr Tang See Chim (Chua Chu Kang). Dr Tay Eng Soon, PBM (River Valley), Minister of State, Ministry of Education. Mr Teh Cheang Wan (Geylang West), Minister for National Development. Mr Teo Chong Tee (Changi), Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Community Development. Dr Toh Chin Chye (Rochore). Mr S. Vasoo (Bo Wen). Encik Wan Hussin bin Haji Zoohri (Kampong Ubi). Dr Wan Soon Bee (West Coast). Dr Aline K. Wong (Changkat). Mr Wong Kan Seng (Kuo Chuan), Acting Minister for Community Development. Dr Wong Kwei Cheong, PBM (Cairnhill). Mr Eugene Yap Giau Cheng (Mountbatten), Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour and the Minister for the Environment. Encik Yatiman Yusof (Kampong Kembangan). Mr Yeo Cheow Tong (Hong Kah), Minister of State, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Yeo Choo Kok (Delta). Dr Yeo Ning Hong (Kim Seng), Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Defence. Mr Yeo Toon Chia (Ang Mo Kio). Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon (Yuhua). Encik Zulkifli bin Mohammed (Eunos).

Main and Development Estimates - (Announcement by Mr Speaker) In accordance with the provisions of paragraph (7) of Standing Order 87 and paragraph (5) of Standing Order 88, I have fixed the times for the conclusion of consideration of the heads of expenditure in the Main and Development Estimates of Expenditure for FY 1986/87 in the Committee of Supply. In the allocation of times, I have taken into consideration the extension of one extra hour on each day allotted for the Committee of Supply. These times have been notified to hon. Members and will appear in the Official Report. (Cols. 651 - 654) Official Report - MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1986 TO 31ST MARCH, 1987 (Cols. 651 - 654)

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL LEASES - (Rental rebates) asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether he proposes to extend the 15% rental rebate for industrial and commercial leases which was granted for one year, and, if so, for how long; and (b) whether further reductions are being considered.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL LEASES - (Rental rebates) asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board will (i) extend the rental rebate for HDB shops and (ii) increase the rebate of 15% to 30%, depending on the location of shops, for the year 1986 to 1987.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL LEASES - (Rental rebates) Mr Speaker, Sir, since Questions 1 and 2 from the Members for Chong Boon and Yuhua are similar, I will answer both questions together. The answers are: (a) The HDB will extend by another 21 months, up to 31st December 1987, the 15% rental rebate for HDB industrial and commercial premises. (b) The present rental rebate of 15% plus the 50% property rebate that has just been announced represent a very substantial reduction in rentals for tenants of HDB industrial and commercial premises. With the rebates, the rentals of these premises are generally lower than the current market rentals payable by new tenants of HDB premises. There is therefore no plan at present for the rental rebate to be increased further.

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL LEASES - (Rental rebates) May I ask the Minister why is it necessary to relate rentals all the time to rentals in the private sector?

ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL LEASES - (Rental rebates) Mr Speaker, Sir, I did not relate the rentals to the private sector. I said "new HDB tenants", not the private sector.

RESETTLEMENT OF PIG FARMERS IN PUNGGOL - (Plans for use of land) asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many small-time pig farmers in Punggol have been resettled up to the latest convenient date; (b) what is the acreage of land left vacant; and (c) whether there are any proposals to have such land utilized for agricultural purposes; and, if so, what will be the activities and conditions and whether any expenditure will be incurred.

RESETTLEMENT OF PIG FARMERS IN PUNGGOL - (Plans for use of land) Mr Speaker, Sir, since the announcement of the Government's policy in March 1984 in this House to phase out pig farming, 65 small pig farms have been resettled from Punggol. The land left vacant by the resettled pig farms in Punggol is about 22 hectares. Punggol has been earmarked for HDB housing development. The vacated land in Punggol will therefore be tendered out for short-term non-pollutive agricultural activities, such as vegetable cultivation. The necessary infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water supply are already provided. Hence, any development expenditure will be minimal.

RESETTLEMENT OF PIG FARMERS IN PUNGGOL - (Plans for use of land) Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask of the Hon. Minister how long will this vacant land be leased out for other agricultural purposes?

RESETTLEMENT OF PIG FARMERS IN PUNGGOL - (Plans for use of land) Sir, about three to five years.

HAWKER LICENCES - (Particulars) asked the Minister for the Environment (a) how many licensed hawkers there were on 31st December 1985; (b) how many hawker licences will be issued in 1986; (c) what are the criteria for approving applications for such licences; and (d) what types of stalls are available to new licencees.

HAWKER LICENCES - (Particulars) Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister. The number of licensed hawkers as at 31st December 1985 was 25,511, consisting of 13,236 market produce hawkers, 9,249 cooked food hawkers and 3,026 piece and sundry goods hawkers. New hawker licences are issued only to resettlement cases and those who qualify under the hardship scheme. As the HDB and the MOE will not be building any more hawker centres, the number of new hawker licences to be issued in 1986 will depend on the number of vacancies that become available when existing stallholders give up their stalls. The criteria for approving applications for cooked food stalls are based on the applicant's financial position, age and the number of dependants the applicant has to support. As at the end of February 1986, there were vacancies for 1,535 market produce stalls, 357 cooked food stalls and 144 piece and sundry goods stalls. 120 food stalls are set aside for resettlement cases each year. The remaining vacancies are available to those who satisfy the means test for hardship.

HAWKER LICENCES - (Particulars) Sir, would the Senior Parliamentary Secretary consider offering some of the vacant stalls to the older retrenched workers?

HAWKER LICENCES - (Particulars) Mr Speaker, Sir, I am afraid the answer has to be no. To simply give a retrenched worker a stall because he has been retrenched or because he is unemployed is really not the only way to help this retrenched worker. There are many other more suitable and better ways to help retrenched workers. Having said that, if a worker is retrenched and finds himself in serious financial hardship, then he may together with all the other hardship cases, apply for consideration by the Hawkers Department. What we normally do is to consider his application according to his age, financial position, total family income, the number of dependants he has, and so on. If he qualifies, then we will consider him for a stall, but he has to wait for it.

REDUCTION OF ROAD TAX - (Consideration) asked the Minister for Communications and Information, as the target that car growth should not exceed the rate of increase in road capacity has been attained, and taking into consideration the fact that there are fewer vehicles on our roads today than a year ago, whether the Minister will consider a reduction in road tax at this time of economic recession.

REDUCTION OF ROAD TAX - (Consideration) Mr Speaker, Sir, Government's objective in land transportation is to ensure that our roads remain free from serious traffic jams, so that people and goods can move about quickly and efficiently. We must continually keep the growth of cars within manageable levels. Otherwise, corrective measures will be difficult and painful. Therefore, we must look at the long-term trend in the growth of cars rather than in any one particular year. Last year, even with the recession, the increase in the number of cars was about 2%. With a recovery of the economy, there is no reason to believe that there will not be a sharp increase in the number of cars. It is therefore reckless to reduce road taxes to stimulate an increase in cars. In the meantime, Government continues to push ahead with the building of roads and expressways as well as the construction of the MRT.

REDUCTION OF ROAD TAX - (Consideration) Mr Speaker, Sir, does the Minister not agree that the reduction of road tax, like petrol price and taxi fares which the Ministry has rescinded, will result in a significant reduction in the cost of living and cost of doing business in Singapore, which is the goal of the Government?

REDUCTION OF ROAD TAX - (Consideration) Sir, the answer is yes. The reduction of petrol prices which has already taken place has indeed con- tributed to the lowering of the cost of living and cost of operations.

REDUCTION OF ROAD TAX - (Consideration) Sir, will the Minister give an assurance then that road tax will not be increased so long as the relative growth rates between cars and roads are maintained?

REDUCTION OF ROAD TAX - (Consideration) Sir, I can give the assurance, as the Member has said, provided that the growth of cars is within manageable levels, relative to the amount of roads to be built over the next five or six years. And that will represent the limit of land available in Singapore for roads.

REDUCTION OF ROAD TAX - (Consideration) Sir, the rates we are talking about are the relative growth rates between roads and cars. Does the Minister intend to peg the increase in road tax to some kind of ratio between the increase in cars and increase in roads?

REDUCTION OF ROAD TAX - (Consideration) Sir, we have to manage our land transportation policies rationally. With about 15% more roads, as far as the potential of land is concerned, we will have to watch the situation carefully and continue to encourage the use of more efficient land transport systems.

REDUCTION OF ROAD TAX - (Consideration) Sir, will the Minister consider reduction of taxes for goods vehicles and other vehicles used for business?

REDUCTION OF ROAD TAX - (Consideration) Sir, like all vehicles using our roads, goods vehicles too have to pay their proportionate level of contribution. Many of these taxes for goods vehicles have been kept the same ever since 1966. So in effect, taking into account inflation, the level of taxation has indeed been reduced as a result of the passing years.

REVIEW OF TAXI FARES - (Plans) asked the Minister for Communications and Information if there are plans to review the taxi fare structure, in view of the drastic reduction in world oil prices.

REVIEW OF TAXI FARES - (Plans) Mr Speaker, Sir, since June last year, taxi fares have been determined by taxi drivers through their companies and associations. So far, my Ministry has not received any request from taxi organizations to change the fare structure. Sir, the Member for Cairnhill may be interested to note that the decrease in diesel pump price this year is about 15 cents per litre. The average fuel consumption is about 10 km per litre. For an average trip of about 6 km, that works out to a saving of 9.1 cents for the taxi driver.

REVIEW OF TAXI FARES - (Plans) Sir, will the Minister agree to allow taxi drivers to set their own rates without reference to the Registry of Vehicles?

REVIEW OF TAXI FARES - (Plans) Sir, the Ministry will allow the taxi drivers to set their fares. But we have not received any request so far.

REVIEW OF TAXI FARES - (Plans) Sir, the Minister has mentioned that he has not received any request from taxi drivers for fare increases. Will he consider such a request from passengers?

REVIEW OF TAXI FARES - (Plans) Sir, I think it must be obvious that commuters will always ask for decreases in taxi fares. But in this particular case, the savings is relatively small.

TENDER PRICES FOR HDB CONTRACTORS asked the Minister for National Development whether the tender prices for Housing and Development Board contracts are lower now; and, if so, whether the HDB will consider passing the benefits to future flat purchasers.

TENDER PRICES FOR HDB CONTRACTORS Mr Speaker, Sir, while prices of building materials have generally fallen in the last two years, tenders awarded by the HDB to its building contractors have remained relatively constant. This is due mainly to the introduction of improved building features and better finishes to HDB flats, such as the use of better quality aluminium sliding windows, replacement of mild steel casement windows in kitchens with aluminium windows, extension of glazed wall tiles to ceiling height, etc. In addition, resettlement cost has increased by 30% since March 1985. This adds to the development cost of HDB flats. At present selling prices, HDB flats are already subsidized by Government. Any reduction in the selling prices without a corresponding fall in the building cost will mean a further increase in the level of Government subsidy on public housing. This is not possible at this time when Government is lowering taxes and reducing its revenue collection.

TENDER PRICES FOR HDB CONTRACTORS Can the Minister please cite the three awards for HDB tender for construction of flats in 1984, or any figures for last year to show whether the prices are going up or down?

TENDER PRICES FOR HDB CONTRACTORS Mr Speaker, Sir, I have said just now that the awards tendered by HDB have remained more or less constant.

PUNGGOL NEW TOWN - (Building of) asked the Minister for National Development whether and when a New Town will be built in the Punggol Constituency.

PUNGGOL NEW TOWN - (Building of) Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister. (In Mandarin): This is a question relating to the development in Punggol. The HDB plans to build a New Town in Punggol. However, the development of this New Town is not expected to take place until after 1995.

PUNGGOL NEW TOWN - (Building of) ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether he can tell the House the size of the land earmarked for the development of the future New Town in Punggol. Also what is the number of flats to be built, and how many residents can be accommodated in this New Town?

PUNGGOL NEW TOWN - (Building of) ( In Mandarin): About 45,000 flats will be built in this new town, and about 180,000 residents can be expected to be accommodated there.

PUNGGOL NEW TOWN - (Building of) ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, a supplementary question. I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether this New Town will be a new Punggol Constituency or a new Kankar Constituency?

PUNGGOL NEW TOWN - (Building of) ( In Mandarin): In such matters, the HDB usually will respect the views of the grassroots leaders and the MPs concerned. When the time comes for the naming of a new town or constituency, Members of Parliament concerned can get in touch with the relevant authorities for consultation to help arrive at a proper name to be given to it.

RESETTLEMENT OF SHOPKEEPERS - (Compensation and assistance) asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether he will enlighten the House on the number of cases of resettlement, particularly of those shopkeepers who have, due to the recession and lack of capital, opted for cash compensation; and (b) whether the same compensation will be given in respect of shophouses which were built before World War II and are of a temporary nature, as for those defined as permanent structures; and, if not, what other assistance is being contemplated.

RESETTLEMENT OF SHOPKEEPERS - (Compensation and assistance) Mr Speaker, Sir, again I will answer on behalf of my Minister. (In Mandarin): There are two parts. In answer to the first part, in 1985 there were 535 or about 15.4% non-residential resettlement cases, ie, traders or businessmen who did not accept alternative accommodation but opted for cash compensation. Among them, there were about 310 shopkeepers. Those who opt for cash compensation need not give their reasons, and therefore the Resettlement Department has no means of knowing whether these people made their decision because of a lack of cash, because of recession, or for other reasons. To answer the second part, under the current resettlement policy, when non-residential property or commercial pro- perty or permanent structures under rent control are affected by resettlement, they could choose to have either an alternative accommodation or cash compensation. Those who occupy temporary structures can only get reallocation of accommodation; they cannot get cash compensation.

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE POST AT AYER RAJAH ESTATE asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether his Ministry will set up a Neighbourhood Police Post earlier than scheduled at Ayer Rajah Estate (Dover Road).

NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE POST AT AYER RAJAH ESTATE Mr Speaker, Sir, a total of 91 Neighbourhood Police Posts will be set up in phases by 1989. So far, 34 NPPs have been set up in four Police Divisions, namely, Toa Payoh, Paya Lebar, Jurong and Queenstown. The rest of the NPPs will be set up at a rate of 14-15 per year. The NPP for Pasir Panjang Constituency will be built at Block 3, Dover Crescent, in the second half of this year. We are not able to set it up ahead of schedule due to manpower, training and other constraints.

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether his Ministry will issue a directive to all police stations that anyone arrested and brought to a police station should be given immediately an opportunity to contact his home or his relatives and even an Advocate and Solicitor of his choice.

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no need for such a directive. Existing police procedures are adequate. They allow an arrested person to contact his family and counsel of his choice.

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister saying that this existing police procedure, which he says exists, is complied with by all police stations, by police officers there? Is he aware that persons had been detained for up to 48 hours, which is the time under the Constitution for a person to be detained before he can be brought to Court, without facilities given to the accused persons to contact their homes or their relatives? If he is not aware, I will give him a number of instances.

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Mr Speaker, Sir, I have pointed out that police procedures allow an arrested person to contact his family and counsel of his choice. The precise moment as to when he is allowed to do so must, of course, depend on the circumstances of each case, the interests of the arrested person as well as public interest and the duty of the police to effectively investigate the case. The Member for Anson referred to the Constitution. The Constitution says: 'Where a person is arrested he shall be informed as soon as may be of the grounds of his arrest and shall be allowed to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.' The law is complied with in all cases, and in the overwhelming majority of cases there is no problem whatsoever as the police have allowed arrested persons to contact their family or friends immediately. There may be some instances where it may not be possible and it may not be advisable to allow an arrested person to contact his family immediately. These would be cases where police investigations are not yet completed, or where contact with family and friends immediately would result in tampering or destruction of evidence, or where they involve conspirators or accomplices such that contacting family or counsel immediately upon arrrest would lead to the flight and disappearance of accomplices or friends. So, Mr Speaker, Sir, a balance must be struck between the interest of the arrested person and the interest of the public. We cannot go the way some Western countries have gone, where the rights of the criminal havebeen placed on a higher pedestal than the rights of victims and the rights of society at large to live in a crime-free environment-

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) What crime-free environment?

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) - and in a state of law, order and security.

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Does the Minister realize that most of his answer really is specious? Will the Minister say whether he is aware or not? If he is not and he wants details, I will give it to him - cases where persons have been detained for more than 24 hours without any opportunity to contact their homes. And it is not in serious crimes. It is even in arrests for the slightest reasons. Is the Minister not assuming in his answer that every person arrested by the police is a criminal? Is he saying that every person who is arrested is charged immediately in court? Does he not know of persons who have been detained for 36 hours and then released without any charge being brought against them? What is the objection in these cases to their being allowed to phone home or to their friends or relatives? May we have sensible answers from the Minister?

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already said that in the overwhelming majority of cases arrested persons are allowed to contact their friends and relatives immediately. It is in the category of cases where accomplices and conspirators would flee, evidence and weapons would be secreted away or destroyed, where the exercise of the right to consult counsel or to inform relatives is conditioned by the necessity to complete Police investigations. If the Member for Anson has information of cases which he considers that the law has been transgressed or the right has been delayed without justification, he should let us have the particulars and, of course, I will investigate it. But the point I want to stress is that the Government must ensure that the interest of the public and of maintaining law, order and security must have priority when we seek to strike a balance between the rights of arrested persons and the rights of the public at large. If I may quote, Sir, from a former President of the Federal Court of Malaysia and a leading constitutional authority on Malaysian/Singapore Constitutional law. This is what he has to say: 'The phrase "shall be allowed" clearly indicates that the right of the community for peace and tranquility is a greater right and therefore must be given priority to the right of individual persons. It is obvious that what is "reasonable time" and what are "reasonable restrictions" are incapable of ascertainment in advance. These criteria could only be decided with reference to each particular case, the facts of which may vary from case to case.' If I may quote from another leading authority, a leading case on this question. This is what the Courts had to say. The Court said: 'The right of an arrested person to consult his lawyer begins from the moment of arrest but I am of the opinion that the right cannot be exercised immediately after the arrest. A balance has to be struck between the right of the arrested person to consult his lawyer on the one hand and on the other the duty of the Police to protect the public from wrongdoers by apprehending them and collecting whatever evidence exists against them. ... The interest of justice is as important as the interest of arrested persons and it is well-known that criminal elements are deterred most of all by the certainty of detection, arrest and punishment.'

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has asked for examples. Does he not know that someone was arrested on the 1st of March in the early hours of the morning, and because he did not happen to have his identity card on him he was hauled off to the police station, and he was locked up until 3.00 pm that afternoon? What was the reason for that, and what was the reason for preventing him from getting in touch with his family?

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Mr Speaker, Sir, I think Members and viewers who are watching these proceedings must realize that it is manifestly unreasonable to ask the Minister to discuss details of a case of which he has not been given notice by the Member for Anson. If the Member for Anson feels strongly that this is a case which is typical in point, then he should let us have the particulars, send it to my Ministry, and I will cause an investigation to see whether this is a case where there has been an unjustifiable delay. But his question was phrased in general terms and I have given what I believe is a proper answer.

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Would the Minister say that was a reasonable detention of this man on the facts that I have given him - non-possession of an identity card - An hon. Member: Sit down!

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) And the man was not charged when he was released at 3.00 pm that afternoon. On those facts, will the Minister say whether that detention was lawful and justified?

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Mr Speaker, Sir, I would have thought that any legally trained person -

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Answer the question. Is that reasonable?

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member for Anson wants an answer he should avoid interjecting rudely and in such an undignified manner. He has said that he knows of a case on which he has supplied me with very sparse particulars. If I am to give a sensible and considered reply, I would want to know all the facts -

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) Non-possession of identity card.

ARRESTED PERSONS - (Procedure on Contact with family and counsel) - pertaining to that case and not just the meagre facts supplied by the Member for Anson.

NON-PAYMENT OF INCENTIVE PAY - (Particulars) asked the Minister for Finance (a) what is the total number of employees affected by the cut in the half-month incentive pay recently announced by the Government; (b) what will be the total savings; and (c) whether the cut will further aggravate the recession by reducing the purchasing power of a sizeable proportion of the working population.

NON-PAYMENT OF INCENTIVE PAY - (Particulars) Mr Speaker, Sir, following consultations with the public sector unions, the Government had recently announced that the incentive pay for 1986 will be withdrawn in respect of monthly-rated public employees. The matter will continue to be pursued with the daily-rated unions. The estimated number of public sector employees affected, including both monthly-rated and daily-rated employees, would be 142,444. The total savings is estimated to be $113,158,530. Withdrawal of the incentive payment is a form of wage restraint adopted by Government following consultation with the public sector unions. This measure would keep the public sector wage bill at its current level. It is presently a preferred form of wage restraint to freezing of annual increments. The incentive payment amounts to 4% of the annual wage bill and is equivalent to the annual increment in the public sector. Hence, withdrawing the incentive payment would hold down the public sector wage cost at its current level to the same extent as cessation of the annual increments. It is a measure preferred by the Government and the unions. Since withdrawal of the incentive payment does not really reduce public sector wage costs, there should in fact be no reduction in purchasing power of the public officers.

NON-PAYMENT OF INCENTIVE PAY - (Particulars) Sir, may I ask the Minister if the Government is also planning to cut partially or even completely the 13th month AWS payment of Government employees?

NON-PAYMENT OF INCENTIVE PAY - (Particulars) Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no present intention.

NON-PAYMENT OF INCENTIVE PAY - (Particulars) Sir, may the Minister tell us whether this proposal to cut the half month incentive pay for daily-rated employees has been fully discussed with the union?

NON-PAYMENT OF INCENTIVE PAY - (Particulars) Mr Speaker, Sir, I have said that this issue is still under consultation.

COLLAPSE OF PAN-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES AND SUSPENSION OF - TRADING ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF SINGAPORE - (Appointment of Commission of Inquiry) asked the Minister for Finance whether he will recommend to the President to appoint a Commission of Inquiry to enquire fully into all the events leading to the collapse of Pan-Electric Industries and the suspension of trading on the Stock Exchange of Singapore on the 2nd of December 1985.

COLLAPSE OF PAN-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES AND SUSPENSION OF - TRADING ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF SINGAPORE - (Appointment of Commission of Inquiry) Mr Speaker, Sir, I will first deal with the second part of the question posed by the Member for Anson, namely, the events which led to the suspension of trading in the Stock Exchange of Singapore on 2nd December 1985 and the reasons for the suspension. The answer to this question has been fully dealt with by me in reply to an Oral Question on the same issue submitted by the Member for Radin Mas at the Parliamentary sitting on 10th January 1986. I can supply the Member for Anson with a copy of this reply if he wishes. As for the collapse of Pan-El, the Government is naturally concerned about it because of its effects on not only the stock market but also the company's shareholders, creditors and employees. It is for this reason that the Government has taken a keen interest in the negotiations between the company's principal shareholders and its creditor banks with a view to resolving the financial problems of the company. It is regrettable that discussions and negotiations had not led to agreement that would resuscitate the company. But, having said that, the Government does not view the Pan-El collapse as being different from other corporate failures. In all these corporate failures, no Commission of Inquiry had been appointed. Neither is one considered necessary for the Pan-El case. It is generally known that Pan-El had been adversely affected by difficult business conditions in about all of its businesses. Poor business aside, the company's involvement in stock market activities also contributed to its financial problems. The Commercial Affairs Investigation Department has been investigating into the affairs of Pan-El. Charges have been brought against the responsible parties and criminal proceedings are before the Court. It is clearly inappropriate to establish a separate body to conduct another investigation into the matter.

COLLAPSE OF PAN-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES AND SUSPENSION OF - TRADING ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF SINGAPORE - (Appointment of Commission of Inquiry) Mr Speaker, Sir, supplementary questions for the Minister. Is the Minister saying that he has in Parliament given all the reasons fully on the events leading to the suspension of trading on the Stock Exchange of Singapore? Secondly, is he saying that the events leading to the collapse of Pan Electric Industries have also been fully explained? I did not think he was saying that. But is he not aware that the public have been told very little about this? Is the Minister not aware of the damage that has been done as a result of the events, the manipulations, and does he not think it necessary that the public investor and shareholders should be told fully of everything and nothing is hidden from them? Is the Minister also aware that a Commission of Inquiry may be appointed after the criminal proceedings are concluded, if that is what is worrying him? Would he now agree that he would recommend the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry to commence its work after the criminal proceedings have been concluded? Finally, are there any reasons why the Government is reluctant to appoint a Commission of Inquiry? May we know frankly whether there are any reasons. Is it because the Minister and the Government wish to cover up any failure on the part of the MAS or the Government to forestall and to prevent what happened to Pan El and to the Stock Exchange?