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PERMISSION TO MEMBERS TO BE ABSENT Under the provisions of clause 2(d) of Article 46 of the Constitution of the Republic 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 Charles Chong - from 27th to 29th March and from 10th to 12th April, 1992. BG George Yong-Boon Yeo - from 29th March to 9th April, from 23rd April to 1st May and from 30th May to 3rd June, 1992. Mr R. Sinnakaruppan - from 30th March to 10th April, 1992. Mr Peh Chin Hua - from 2nd to 11th April, from 1st to 14th June and from 23rd June to 8th July, 1992. Dr Hu Tsu Tau, Richard - from 3rd to 11th April and from 24th April to 6th May, 1992. Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon - from 3rd to 17th April and from 12th to 15th June, 1992. Mr Peter Sung - from 3rd to 12th April, from 6th to 10th May, from 12th to 16th May, from 24th to 30th May, from 31st May to 4th June and from 7th to 11th June, 1992. Dr Ong Chit Chung - on 4th April and from 11th to 21st May, 1992. Dr Koh Lip Lin - from 6th to 18th April and from 2nd to 12th May, 1992. Mr Chay Wai Chuen - from 7th to 9th April, 1992. Dr Wong Kwei Cheong - from 9th to 18th April, from 14th to 21st May, from 28th to 30th May and from 5th to 6th June, 1992. Mr Choo Wee Khiang - from 9th to 14th April, 1992. Mr Teo Chong Tee - from 9th to 14th April, 1992. Dr Aline K. Wong - from 10th to 18th April and from 16th to 31st May, 1992. Mr Lim Chee Onn - from 15th to 17th April, from 7th to 9th May and from 17th to 24th May, 1992. Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam - from 16th to 21st April and from 1st to 11th June, 1992. Mr S. Chandra Das - from 17th to 19th April, from 1st to 3rd May, from 8th to 10th May and from 13th to 28th June, 1992. Mr Koo Tsai Kee - from 18th April to 5th May, 1992. Mr Mah Bow Tan - from 19th to 25th April, 1992. Mr Lew Syn Pau - from 20th to 23rd April, from 12th to 13th May and from 16th to 17th May, 1992. Mr Tan Soo Khoon - from 21st to 28th April, from 11th to 22nd May, from 3rd to 4th June, from 8th to 12th June and from 16th to 24th June, 1992. Mr Bernard Chen - from 21st April to 8th May and from 1st to 7th June, 1992. Mr Zulkifli bin Mohammed - from 22nd April to 4th May, 1992. Mr Heng Chiang Meng - from 22nd to 26th April, 1992. Dr Tan Cheng Bock - from 22nd to 26th April, 1992. Mr Loh Meng See - from 23rd April to 12th May, 1992. Mr Lim Hng Kiang - from 23rd to 27th April, 1992. Dr Ahmad Mattar - from 26th to 30th April and from 13th to 17th May, 1992. Dr Lee Boon Yang - from 27th to 29th April and from 2nd to 21st June, 1992. Mr K. Shanmugam - from 2nd to 9th May, 1992. Mr Kenneth Chen Koon Lap - from 3rd to 5th May and from 1st to 17th June, 1992. Mr Davinder Singh - from 4th to 6th May and on 27th May, 1992. BG Lee Hsien Loong - from 7th to 14th May, 1992. Dr John Chen Seow Phun - from 9th to 23rd May, 1992. Mr Ong Teng Cheong - from 10th to 23rd May and from 4th to 8th June, 1992. Mr Goh Choon Kang - from 11th to 21st May, 1992. Dr Wan Soon Bee - from 11th to 13th May, 1992. Mr Wong Kan Seng - from 12th to 15th May and from 4th to 8th June, 1992. Mr Yeo Cheow Tong - from 14th to 23rd May, 1992. Mr Chin Harn Tong - from 16th to 21st May, 1992. Mr Goh Chee Wee - from 19th to 23rd May, 1992. Dr Tay Eng Soon - from 28th May to 20th June, 1992. Mr Ho Kah Leong - from 1st to 18th June, 1992. Dr Yeo Ning Hong - from 1st to 13th June, 1992. Mr Low Thia Khiang - from 6th to 16th June, 1992. Mr Leong Horn Kee - from 9th to 16th June, 1992. Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon - from 12th to 14th and from 17th to 29th June, 1992. Encik Othman bin Haron Eusofe - from 13th to 22nd June, 1992. Encik Harun bin A. Ghani - from 15th to 27th June, 1992. Encik Mohamad Maidin B P M - from 15th to 28th June, 1992. TAN SOO KHOON Speaker Parliament of Singapore
ASSENTS TO BILLS PASSED The following Bills were assented to by the President of the Republic of Singapore on the dates stated: 23rd March, 1992 (i) Customs (Amendment) Bill 1992. 30th March, 1992 (i) Supply Bill 1992; (ii) Supplementary Supply Bill 1992; (iii) Nanyang Polytechnic Bill 1992; (iv) Telecommunication Authority of Singapore Bill 1992; (v) Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 1992; (vi) National Council of Social Service Bill 1992; (vii) Rubber Industry Bill 1992; (viii) Trade Development Board (Amendment) Bill 1992; (ix) Commodity Futures Bill 1992; (x) Town Councils (Amendment) Bill 1992; and (xi) Housing and Development (Amendment) Bill 1992 TAN SOO KHOON Speaker Parliament of Singapore
CONCURRENCE OF PRESIDENT - WITH RESOLUTION - (Announcement by Mr Speaker) For the record, the President has concurred with the following Resolution passed by Parliament on 19th March, 1992: "That Parliament, in accordance with section 11(1) of the Government Securities Act, 1992, resolves that the Minister for Finance be authorised to borrow by the issue of Government Securities in Singapore a sum not exceeding $100,000 million."
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO BECOME HOMEOWNERS asked the Minister for National Development whether the scheme to encourage more low income families to become homeowners has been finalised.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS - SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE LOW INCOME FAMILIES TO BECOME HOMEOWNERS Sir, I am answering on behalf of the Minister for National Development. The Ministry of National Development and the Housing and Development Board are currently reviewing existing financial assistance schemes, such as the Low Income Family Incentive Scheme, to enable more low income families to own HDB flats. The review is nearing completion. Details will be announced in the second half of this year.
ROAD BULLIES - (Measures to stamp out menace) asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether his Ministry is looking into the phenomenon of "road bullies" and what is being done or planned to stamp out this menace.
ROAD BULLIES - (Measures to stamp out menace) Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry and the Police have indeed looked into this problem. In June 1990, I announced that the Police intended to be firm against people who take the law into their own hands and resort to violence, whether on the roads, in shopping centres or elsewhere. In fact, it is in pursuance of that policy that the Police decided to prosecute the more serious cases of road bullies, instead of the victims having to take out private summonses. The cases which have come up in the courts recently and which have received extensive publicity are the result of such Police action. The action taken against road bullies and the extensive publicity has encouraged more members of the public to come forward to report such cases. Correspondingly, more offenders are now being prosecuted. In 1991, 35 persons were charged which is almost double the figure for 1989. Depending on the facts of the case, offenders can be charged for different offences under the law. The penalties provided by law range from a maximum fine of $1,000 and imprisonment not exceeding one year for voluntarily causing hurt and a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment not exceeding seven years for the offence of causing grievous hurt. These maximum penalties give sufficient leeway to the courts to impose deterrent sentences. Indeed, in quite a number of cases, the courts have meted out custodial sentences. The Police will continue their enforcement policy and they will press for deterrent sentences in all such cases. Where they consider the sentence given by the court to be inadequate, they will approach the Attorney-General's Chambers to appeal against the decision. My Ministry and the Police will monitor the trend of such cases to assess if any further measures or other penalties need to be introduced.
ROAD BULLIES - (Measures to stamp out menace) Sir, is the Ministry considering harsher measures to prevent such behaviour, because there have been calls from the public to have more severe penalties to stop such behaviour?
ROAD BULLIES - (Measures to stamp out menace) I am glad to know that the public is concerned about this because that was one of the objectives of the Police in prosecuting and publicising these cases. As I mentioned in the closing part of my answer, we will indeed consider further measures if the trend of cases warrants it. For example, I am prepared to consider proposing an amendment to the law where the offending driver, for instance, could be disqualified from having his driving licence. That is one of the possible penalties.
PARA-LEGAL PROFESSIONALS - (Role in conveyancing) asked the Minister for Law what is the outcome of the review of the role which para-legal professionals can play in conveyancing.
PARA-LEGAL PROFESSIONALS - (Role in conveyancing) Sir, the Member will recall that when this matter was raised in this House last year, I said that I will examine the feasibility of following the practice in the United Kingdom of allowing non-lawyers to do certain kinds of conveyancing. I stated then that the primary consideration must be public interest, in particular those members of the public who will be the clients of such a new category of professionals. Both the previous Attorney-General and the new Attorney-General have given me their views. Both of them have advised that, while it is possible to follow the British practice of allowing non-lawyers to do conveyancing work, there are some important implications which must be carefully considered. The most serious implication is that it will require the Government to set up an entirely new system of education and training and to provide the infrastructure to allow non-lawyers to engage in conveyancing work. Indeed, new provisions will have to be enacted by Parliament for the creation of an entirely new and separate profession which, in effect, would call for the duplication of the same type of machinery and combined resources that now exist in the Law Faculty, Board of Legal Education, the Law Society and the Academy of Law. This is exactly what has happened in England with their system of licensed conveyancers. They have had to establish a separate Council for Licensed Conveyancers to ensure standards of competence and professional conduct. The Council is also responsible for the registration of students and for their practical training and examinations. They have to establish the machinery for disciplining those who are guilty of misconduct. They also had to set up a Conveyancing Ombudsman Scheme to investigate complaints against licensed conveyancers. Given our scarce resources in Singapore, the question that arises for us is whether it is in the public's interest to expend the money and resources to set up an entirely new and parallel system for the establishment of such a new profession. As it is, for the training of our new Advocates and Solicitors, considerable difficulties are encountered in providing for the practical post-graduate law course for law graduates every year. Many of the lecturers are practising lawyers who have volunteered to teach in this Course. If the need arises, we will consider the possibility of allowing some types of conveyancing to be handled by non- lawyers. However, because of the difficulties I have mentioned, we intend to proceed rather cautiously in this area.
PARA-LEGAL PROFESSIONALS - (Role in conveyancing) Sir, may I ask the Minister whether he will consider abolishing the schedule of fees connected to conveyancing and let the free market principle prevail in the charges of conveyancing by lawyers?
PARA-LEGAL PROFESSIONALS - (Role in conveyancing) Mr Speaker, Sir, that is a suggestion which I think may be more workable and I am prepared to consider whether the solicitors' scale fees for conveyancing should be re-examined with a view to either modification or whether it should be retained in today's circumstances. Members will recall that when we made the amendments to the Surveyors Act, we did away with the scale fees for surveyors on the grounds that we should leave it to market forces. We should examine whether it is not time for us to have a serious look at the solicitors' scale fees.
PERMANENT RESIDENTS - (Waiving of work permit requirement) asked the Minister for Labour whether he will waive the requirement for permanent residents to obtain work permits since the criteria for granting permanent residence will have included an applicant's economic contribution, including his contribution as a worker.
PERMANENT RESIDENTS - (Waiving of work permit requirement) Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry has reviewed its policy which requires Singapore permanent residents who earn not more than $1,500 per month to obtain work permits. I have decided that Singapore permanent residents will not have to apply for work permits even if they earn not more than $1,500 per month. My Ministry has simplified the employment procedures because it is in our interest to ensure that these Singapore permanent residents are economically active. The revision is also consistent with the practice of the Ministry of Home Affairs which does not require Singapore permanent residents who earn more than $1,500 per month to apply for employment passes. Furthermore, it will reduce inconvenience for employers and Singapore permanent residents.
SINGAPOREANS MARRYING WORK PERMIT HOLDERS asked the Minister for Labour (a) what is the current success rate of applications made by Singaporeans to marry work permit holders and (b) whether he will consider reviewing the rules to enable applicants to marry work permit holders, who have family members who are Singapore citizens or who have upgraded their education or skills, to be more favourably considered.
SINGAPOREANS MARRYING WORK PERMIT HOLDERS Mr Speaker, Sir, in the past two years, the success rate of applications made by Singaporeans to marry work permit holders has been about 70%. As for the rules governing the approval of marriage applications, I am pleased to inform the Member that we do take into consideration the work permit holder's family roots here and whether he has upgraded his education or skills. Members may be interested to know that, since 1989, my Ministry has adjusted the marriage criteria to be consistent with the relaxation in the immigration policy for Hong Kong residents. So long as Singaporeans who wish to marry foreign spouses meet the same criteria, we will approve them on the same basis as the Hong Kong immigrants.
SINGAPOREANS MARRYING WORK PERMIT HOLDERS Sir, I would like to ask whether the Minister is willing to publish those marriage criteria whereby Singaporeans can marry foreigners or foreigners marrying Singaporeans.
SINGAPOREANS MARRYING WORK PERMIT HOLDERS Mr Speaker, Sir, I have said in my answer that we will be prepared to consider and approve applications from all Singaporeans who meet the same criteria for Hong Kong residents. The criteria for Hong Kong residents have been announced previously, ie, people with 5 'O' levels or equivalent trade qualifications or certificates or people with an income of $1,500 per month for the past five years. These are some of the basic criteria. But for the vast majority of work permit holders in Singapore, a large number of them are unskilled workers and they may not be able to meet these criteria. Then their applications are considered on other basis, ie, whether they have made the effort to upgrade their skills by attending skills training and taking a trade test which will demonstrate that they are able to look after themselves and that they can contribute economically to Singapore after they have been allowed to settle down here.
SINGAPOREANS MARRYING WORK PERMIT HOLDERS Further supplementary question, Sir. In view of the fact that the Minister has just said that he is willing to review the criteria in respect of permanent residents in Singapore, would he also be willing to review the criteria in relation to permanent residents who are marrying foreign spouses or permanent residents marrying Singaporeans?
SINGAPOREANS MARRYING WORK PERMIT HOLDERS Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not quite understand Mr Chiam's question. If he is asking a question on the review of the criteria for permanent residents, may I suggest that he take it up with the Minister for Home Affairs.
FOREIGNERS MARRYING SINGAPOREANS The following Question stood in the name of Dr Tan Cheng Bock - 6. To ask the Minister for Labour whether he will consider allowing foreigners, who had registered to work in Singapore but who, for some reason, have not taken up employment here, to marry Singaporeans.
FOREIGNERS MARRYING SINGAPOREANS Sir, Question No. 6.
FOREIGNERS MARRYING SINGAPOREANS Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry has reviewed its policy to apply the Marriage Restriction Policy to work permit applicants who had applied but cancelled their applications or did not work after approval was given. I would like to inform the Member that the policy has been changed since December 1991. Since then, my Ministry has not objected to marriage applications between those non-citizens and Singaporeans.
COOKED FOOD CENTRES - (Privatisation) asked the Minister for the Environment whether there are any plans to privatise cooked food centres following the successful privatisation of the cooked food centre at the former Telok Ayer Market.
COOKED FOOD CENTRES - (Privatisation) Mr Speaker, Sir, as a policy, the Government's long-term plan is to devolve itself from the management of markets and food centres. The details on how this could be done are being looked into. However, Sir, I would like to draw a distinction between the privatisation plan for markets and food centres in general and that of the Telok Ayer Market. The Telok Ayer Market, Sir, is a national monument, and to put the building to better and more creative use, it was tendered out as a food and entertainment complex with a festival market ambience. Its success will bring some night-life back to the city.
COOKED FOOD CENTRES - (Privatisation) Sir, may I ask the Minister when does he think the plan to privatise some of the markets will come into being, especially in relation to the Newton Cooked Food Centre.
COOKED FOOD CENTRES - (Privatisation) When we are ready, we will announce the plan.
COOKED FOOD CENTRES - (Privatisation) Sir, has the Telok Ayer Festival Market succeeded in bringing back night-life to the city centre? Regarding the complaints about the Telok Ayer Festival Market being warm and stuffy during the day, is there anything being done to improve the ventilation there?
COOKED FOOD CENTRES - (Privatisation) Mr Speaker, Sir, the opening of the Telok Ayer Festival Market has certainly brought some night-life to that part of the city. With regard to the problem of heat and stuffiness, the matter is being looked into by the company that now operates the Market.
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) asked the Minister for Law why tenants at the UDMC controlled premises at Naval Base, Sembawang are being evicted.
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) A number of Government properties managed by Urban Development and Management Company Pte Ltd (UDMC) in the vicinity of Admiralty Road/Auckland Road/Falkland Road are required by MINDEF to house the staff of the US Logistics element who will be transferred from the Philippines to Singapore. These properties were formerly used by the New Zealand Defence Force personnel. They were rented out on short-term leases or month-to-month tenancy, pending new plans for the area. The majority of the premises were rented out to foreigners. Out of 104 units affected, only 21 of them were occupied by Singaporeans on month-to-month terms. They were fully aware that their stay was only temporary until such time when the buildings were needed again by Government. While only one month's notice was required, UDMC in fact gave these tenants 2 1/2 months to 4 1/2 months' notice, in order to give them ample time to look for alternative accommodation.
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) Sir, these UDMC premises that will now be let out to foreign army personnel, are the rentals charged to these foreigners higher or lower than those charged to the local tenants?
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have the details but I believe that there is no distinction between the rentals paid by the different occupants of these premises.
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) Then, Sir, why are priorities given to foreigners ahead of Singaporeans? They can easily get many of the condominium units or other units that are available. Why should they evict local Singaporeans?
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) Sir, I do not understand the thrust of Mr Chiam's question. This is a straightforward landlord-tenant relationship. The occupants were given short-term leases on a month-to-month tenancy previously, precisely because the premises might be needed again and the tenants knew about this. In fact, more than ample notice had been given. This is a case of a very sympathetic landlord who has gone out of his way to help, firstly, by giving a very long period of notice, more than that required in the contract, and secondly, I understand that, as far as Singaporeans are concerned, the UDMC even offered alternative accommodation which they are not obliged to do.
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) Both foreigners as well as Singaporeans enjoy the same tenancy terms. But the thrust of the question is: why should you give these premises to foreigners and not to Singaporeans? There are alternative premises where these foreigners can go to. You have one set of premises, and you have got sitting tenants who are Singaporeans. What is the reason for evicting all these Singaporean tenants and bringing in foreigners? It is easier for the Government to house these foreigners elsewhere, or they can look for their own premises.
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) I take it that what he is saying is: why is MINDEF going to house the Logistics staff in this locality instead of somewhere else? That is the thrust of his question. But, surely, Sir, this is not the place to decide or debate whether MINDEF is wise, or right, in deciding whether to house them in these premises or some other premises. That is for MINDEF to decide. The question is: in asking these people to leave, has there been any breach of any law or any agreement by the UDMC? The answer is "no".
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) Sir, we are not talking about the breach of the law. We are talking of Singaporeans who are sitting tenants. Unless there is good reason for eviction, it has caused them grave inconveniences and great hardship. Because I understand --
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) Mr Chiam, could you ask your supplementary question? You are making a speech. What is your question?
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) I have been asking the same question. Why are priorities given to foreigners ahead of Singapore citizens for this very special type of premises where, I believe, the rentals are fairly low?
UDMC CONTROLLED PREMISES AT SEMBAWANG NAVAL BASE - (Eviction of tenants) Mr Speaker, Sir, I have made it clear that the tenants, whether they are locals or foreigners, knew that they were there on a very short-term basis, on a month-to-month basis, or on a very short lease, precisely because the Government would need the area when plans arise; and plans have arisen, and that is exactly why they have been asked to move.
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) asked the Minister for Finance if it has now been determined how much loss was incurred by Singapore Technologies Ventures, the period over which the losses were incurred and how these losses came to be incurred.
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) Mr Speaker, Sir, Singapore Technologies Ventures (STV) lost $22 million in 1990, and $142 million in 1991. STV is a subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Holdings (STH). It was formed in September 1990 when STH restructured itself to prepare its subsidiaries for public listing. STV took over start-up and technology venture activities which had previously formed part of the other business sectors of the STH group. Some initial losses for these operations are unavoidable. The activities are capital and technology intensive. They require long gestation periods before showing results. They are also vulnerable to market and technological risks. However, STV's operating losses were larger than foreseen because the company had embarked on several large projects where market conditions proved more difficult than expected, partly because of the recent global economic slowdown. In addition, as STV had been formed by grouping together existing venture activities in STH's other business sectors, the company initially had an un- suitable capital structure, with too much debt and too little equity. STV's losses included start-up development and operating expenses, heavy interest charges, and overseas training of technical staff in specialised skills. In view of the uncertainties, STV took a conservative approach and wrote down a large part of its pre-operating expenses. The STH Board has been working closely with the STV Board to tackle STV's problems. It has taken steps to improve STV's capital base. STV should turn around within the next two to three years. STV's short record must be seen in the context of the performance of the STH group as a whole. STV is one of the five principal business sectors of STH. Over a longer time perspective, the STH group has been successful. Its four other business sectors are profitable. Two business sectors are publicly listed. The publicly listed portions of the group have market valuations many times the initial Government investment in them. Almost by definition, technology venture activities carry greater risk. Not all of them can be expected to succeed, nor will they be profitable every single year. But taken overall, such leading edge activities should yield definite returns. They are essential to the business strategy of a technology company like STH. STH cannot rely on its traditional activities to grow indefinitely year after year. STH's technology ventures enable the group to continually explore new areas of opportunities, and identify promising fields to expand into. STH has to maintain a balance between established, profitable activities and these new, more risky enterprises. I am satisfied that in doing so, the STH Board has discharged its responsibilities competently and to the best of its ability.
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) Sir, is there any investigation done, or ordered into the losses incurred?
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) The answer to that is "yes". It has been extensively investigated by the STH Board and by the Ministry of Finance.
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) Sir, would the Minister make available the relevant investigation reports to the public or to Parliament?
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) I do not think that is something which we want to publish. It is an internal investigation. The Ministry is satisfied, so is the Board of STH.
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) The money invested in these ventures, ie, the loss incurred, where did this money come from? Did it come from part of our national reserves as well?
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) These funds were initially contributed as capital by the Government and include a portion of loans extended to the company and they form part of STH group's financial assets.
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) Sir, since the money comes from the Government, would the Minister not think that the investigation report should be made public, so that it is accountable to the public, or at least to Parliament, for the money that is being invested?
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) The investigation clearly shows the source of expenditure is for pre-operating expenses and capital expenditure. It shows that the sales did not meet operating expenses. There is nothing technically incorrect with it. If such is the information that is required, there is no problem.
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) Sir, what evaluation was done before a decision was made to invest in these ventures?
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) The normal technical evaluation of developing a project is done in every case of a new venture. What is unpredictable is the market condition when the ventures move actually into operation. It is not possible to predict ahead of time whether by year X or after start-up, the company will remain profitable. I will give you an example of the sort of uncertainties faced by operating companies in high-tech areas. The Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore (PCS), in which the Government had equity. During the early years, 1984-86, it accumulated total losses of $120 million before it turned the corner, because it started operations during a downturn of the petrochemical industry. Another example is Keppel Corporation in which the Government has a majority interest. In 1984, it took a write-down of $174 million because the bulk carrier, tanker business, was highly unprofitable and it wrote off a series of tankers. In the following year, 1985, it had to write off an additional $130 million, again for the same reason. Thereafter, it has been profitable.
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) Sir, may I ask the Minister whether it is not the general rule of thumb in this venture capital business that not every venture capitalist expects to make money on every venture that he has invested in? But normally, although there might be more losses than gains, in terms of ventures, overall over a period of time, as long as the absolute money that one makes over the gains, although smaller in number vis-a-vis the money that is lost over a larger number of cases or ventures, then one can say that it is a relatively successful venture capital business.
SINGAPORE TECHNOLOGIES VENTURES - (Losses) That is indeed true. Do not forget that STV was incorporated in 1991. So I think we should give it a few years to try to prove this.
ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL - (Improvement of medical and surgical treatment facilities and staffing situation) asked the Minister for Health whether there are further plans to improve the medical and surgical treatment facilities as well as the staffing situation in Alexandra Hospital.
ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL - (Improvement of medical and surgical treatment facilities and staffing situation) Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry is currently undertaking a $18.2 million project to upgrade the facilities of Alexandra Hospital. The project includes: (a) The creation of a 13-bedded Day Surgery Suite; (b) The establishment of a clinical Department of Geriatric Medicine; (c) Improvements to the major opera-ting theatres with better pre- and post- operative facilities; (d) Creation of a 10-bedded Coronary Care Unit; (e) Renovation of the X-ray Department with upgrading of equipment; (f) We are also renovating and refurbishing all the wards. The B1 wards will be airconditioned. We will also add new Class B wards which are quite lacking in Alexandra Hospital; (g) The total number of beds will be increased from 397 to 488 after the ward renovations. The development of the Day Surgery Suite will be completed by the end of June 1992, ie, the end of next month. The other renovation works are being carried out in phases and are expected to be completed by early 1994. With regard to staffing, the staffing ratio in Alexandra Hospital is comparable to the other Government and restructured hospitals. The number of professional staff has increased over the years. In the last two years, the number of doctors has increased from 80 to 85; the number of nurses from 356 to 386; and paramedical staff from 52 to 61. To further upgrade their skills and professional knowledge, the medical and nursing staff attend continuing education courses. For the period 1989 to 1991, 9 doctors, 5 nurses and another 5 paramedical staff from Alexandra Hospital were sponsored for courses overseas and for overseas attachment to medical centres under my Ministry's Health Manpower Development Programme. All these efforts have helped to better equip them to provide a higher standard of care to the patients.
ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL - (Improvement of medical and surgical treatment facilities and staffing situation) Sir, will the charges of Alexandra Hospital increase again after the upgrading?
ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL - (Improvement of medical and surgical treatment facilities and staffing situation) Sir, for the subsidised patients, the costs of renovations are not included in the costing of services.
ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL - (Improvement of medical and surgical treatment facilities and staffing situation) Sir, is there a plan to privatise or restructure the hospital?
ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL - (Improvement of medical and surgical treatment facilities and staffing situation) Sir, there are no plans at present to restructure Alexandra Hospital.