Bernard Chen
Singapore
“The increase in health expenditure is as inevitable as the sun rises. The major part of this expenditure is on manpower. Doctors and nurses and other operational staff have to be paid at market level wages. They have to compete with other demands for the scarce labour resources.”
“Question No. 12, Sir. Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, investigations into the case are still in progress. When investigations are completed, a Coroner's Inquiry will be held during which the full facts of the case will be presented.”
“Question No. 16, Sir. Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, Police is investigating the incident which occurred outside the Kallang Theatre, not at the Singapore Recreation Club, as stated in the Question. Investigations are in progress.”
“If you can license dogs, what is the difference for licensing cats? Dr John Chen Seow Phun: If something is not necessary, why do you want to create that machinery and system, just to do something which some people want. SINGLE SESSION SECONDARY SCHOOLS (Adjustment to reporting time) 5.”
“Although cat is not my problem, I am asking on behalf of somebody else. If the Minister of State is in agreement that we should control cats, why do you not license them so that at least we do not shoot the wrong cats, to begin with, and whoever is the owner will have a responsibility in making sure that the cat does not stray around, but…”
“I agree with the Minister on the need to retain flexibility. I think we should leave it to the patient. But can the Minister confirm that the rates that the patients are paying to the specialists are, in fact, market rates so that there is no subsidy by the Government on all these consultations and there is no impact on the cost efficienc…”
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“Singapore's development in the past 15 years has shown a record of ups and downs in terms of construction pace, and we can conclude quite obviously that as the private sector grew the public sector suffered, and vice versa And if we do not control the pace of construction in the overall construction sector, the cost of construction and materials will rise correspondingly. If we are to expect a stable increase in public construction, especially in HDB flats, then we must do more to regulate the pace of construction, in both the private and public sectors. In the past two years, the Urban Redevelopment Authority has embarked on a massive building programme, as can be gauged by the numerous sites that have been released for development of new office buildings, hotels, shopping centres, warehouses, and lately it has tendered more parcels of land for residential development. Coupled with other massive projects in the public sector, for example, the construction of the new Changi International Airport, the various expressway systems that are now under construction, one can imagine the tremendous strain that has been put on the construction industry. It is small wonder then that we find ourselves in a situation where we cannot find workers or even contractors to take up our public housing programmes. I think we should pay more attention to ensure an orderly development in the construction industry and try to avoid the peaks and troughs that we have experienced in the past 15 years. Only then can we expect to arrest the inflationary trends and the resource shortages for public housing.”
“In the absence of disincentives of this kind, it would not be unreasonable to expect that planners would want to be more lavish in trying to provide the best flats that can possibly be provided, without taking into account the inflationary effect that they may have. Moreover, standards could also have been set by different Ministries, each wanting to do its best. The Roads and Drainage Branch may want to provide wider and more efficient drains. Instead of two lanes, they may want to provide three lanes for the roads. All these add on to the indirect costs of public housing. Now that we are faced with an inflationary situation, there should perhaps be a review of the standards set by the various Government agencies so as to minimize cost increases brought about indirectly by having set our standards at too high a level. There should also be further consultations and cooperation between the HDB and other Ministries which are, in one way or another, connected with our public housing project to make sure that whatever standards or requirements laid down could present an overall package that is more cost effective and take into account the inflationary impact in the coming years. Another factor which is not directly connected with the price increases that I have mentioned earlier is the problem of high building construction prices existing in the construction industry in both the public and private sectors. There is a close nexus between the private and public sector construction industry as they both put a heavy demand on the same resources. Given a boom in the private sector, there would be a tendency for contractors to swing from the public to the private construction projects which are of a higher value and, therefore, a higher profit margin.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, when we talk about price increases for HDB flats, we can divide them into two main categories. In the first category are those increases which are beyond our control, such as the cost of building materials, energy and labour, caused by rising wage levels as well as the shortage of construction workers. For these reasons it would be reasonable for us and the public to accept these increases. But in the second category are cost increases induced by factors which, to a certain extent, can be controlled. Take, for example, the setting of standards by various Government agencies in respect of public housing, standards which they lay for building requirements, such as finish, space, and so on. There are also the ancillary services provided for public housing estates, such as roads, drainage, parks and open spaces. Again, there are infrastructures for the residents in the town centres, sports complexes and other recreational facilities. Then there are the environmental standards that we impose on the construction of public housing estates. Depending on the standards that we set for ourselves, the cost per unit of public housing can increase much more substantially than those caused by rises in the cost of building materials and labour. It was the intention of the HDB several years ago to raise the standard of housing in keeping with the rise in the standard of living, But we should also remember that, at that time, much of the improvements introduced in the current generation of flats were made in an environment where building and labour costs were not escalating as rapidly as they are today.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, currently there is a scheme which enables us to grant make-up pay for both employees as well as the self-employed. Reservists who come in for training will be compensated by make-up pay. This scheme includes the self-employed category, such as doctors. By giving them ample notice, like six months in advance, many of them should be able to find replacements for whatever position they are holding. Surely, when they themselves want to go for holidays they will also have to find a replacement to take over their business unless it is assumed that most of them do not take even a single day's holiday, i.e. work 365 days a year. Among the professionals, reservist training should not pose 9 problem. There is a scheme where doctors can always get other doctors to take their place when they go away on holiday or on business. They can make the same arrangement when they go for in-camp training. The essence is that we should give sufficient notice to them so that they have ample time to get any replacement that they find necessary to do their job while they are away. In most cases, in-camp training does not last more than two weeks. So I do not think that their business will be seriously affected, either in income or at the prospect of losing their clients. HAW PAR VILLA (Preservation and maintenance) 3. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Trade and Industry if the Government has any plan to preserve and maintain Haw Par Villa which attracts tourists and Singaporeans with its works of art depicting scenes from Chinese mythology.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Mindef is trying to tack!e this problem on two fronts. First, within the SAF itself, commanders have been told to inform those reservists under their charge that while in active service they are trainees and that such training will continue into the Reserves and even when they come back for reserve training the skills that they learn will complement what they have learnt in active service. In this way they become more efficient and more proficient than when they were in active service. On the second front, we would like, in the near future, to mount an education programme to inform the public, especially employers and parents, of the need for the reserve service to be part and parcel of the military service that their children or their employees are undergoing. Presently, the problem is not with the reservists themselves. After going through 2 to 2 1/2 years of training, I think they appreciate the need for further refurbishment of skills. The problem lies with the people who are not directly involved in military service but who stand to lose, for example, employers, because when the reservists are away, it means that they have to get someone to take their place. Otherwise there may be man-hours lost. We hope that through this education programme the employers will be convinced that defence needs are as important as the needs for a growing economy and that economic prosperity cannot be achieved without a credible defence. This will take some time because it involves sacrifice on the part of employers, but through regular exchange of information, especially with those who are involved, we hope to get this message across.”
“The Fund is administered by a committee chaired by the Chief of General Staff, and its membership comprises all the senior SAF Commanders as well as heads of the relevant civilian Departments. The Fund is used for the following purposes. It provides financial grants to soldiers, for example, education grants, hardship grants for single soldiers doing national service and who are the sole breadwinners of their families. We also provide funeral grants for soldiers who die in active service or for members of their immediate family. Drug parolees are also given allowances to enable them to rehabilitate. Part of the fund is used to provide amenities to SAF units, such as sports equipment for indoor games, television sets for the messes, film shows, newspapers, periodicals and, occasionally, when SAF units celebrate anniversaries, grants are also provided from this fund. The fund is also used to provide services, such as repair of television sets and other minor repairs. In the past several years we have spent on the average $3/4 million every year to look after the various aspects of welfare. The incomes from the various sources amount to just over $1 million but the fund is accumulated from year to year and the hon. Member can be assured that all the welfare needs of our SAF personnel are properly looked after.”
“Sir, I can assure the Member that when the Ministry of Defence asked for an allocation of more than $1,000 million for the financial year 1980/81, we need more than $10 to provide for the welfare of our SAF personnel. Prior to financial year 1978/79, the Military Welfare Fund received grants from the Armed Forces block vote but since then, because there are other sources of income, the Military Welfare Fund has been dependent on these sources rather than a straight grant from the Finance Ministry. These incomes include rebates of payment from canteen operators in the various SAF camps. Every year we tender these canteens to be operated by contractors and rebates are charged and credited to the Military Welfare Fund. We also tender out the collection of swill from our SAF units cook-houses to civilian contractors who similarly have to pay a rebate. There are other incomes from operating of coinafons. SAF pays for the rental of the machines and repairs, but keeps the proceeds. The proceeds are also credited to the Military Welfare Fund. Occasionally, there are contributions from external organisations, such as the NTUC Income. These donations and contributions are not sent to the Ministry of Finance but also credited to the Military Welfare Fund. Since the administration of welfare depends critically on speed, because sometimes some of these welfare needs have to be dispensed very quickly and also because of the scale of the operations involved, the Ministry of Defence has arranged with the Ministry of Finance to allow the Military Welfare Fund to retain these incomes, i.e. instead of crediting these incomes to the Consolidated Fund, they go straight to the Military Welfare Fund.”
“The enlistment of women as opposed to men into National Service, including auxiliary services, present quite a different set of problems which need to be carefully studied before implementation. My Ministry is now looking into the various implications and the necessary measures required should we decide to implement National Service for women in the future. The Member for Kampong Kembangan mentioned the need for the SAF to encourage its officers and men to take part in community service. This is already being done on quite a wide scale. In addition to gotong royong projects, SAF personnel have also been participating in national projects, such as blood donation campaigns and in relief operations during emergencies and disasters. Various SAF units and bases have also established close links with communities and social organisations within their vicinities. There are regular exchanges of visits. SAF equipment and manpower are available for loan by these organisations. We should, however, recognise that SAF's primary responsibility and objective is to build up an efficient and capable defence capability. We will, of course, do our best to incorporate other objectives whenever possible including the participation of our national servicemen in community services.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I respond to the Member for Punggol's remarks on National Service? He has suggested that in order to keep our soldiers fighting fit, we should look into adopting the Swiss system of National Service. We have to bear in mind that the Swiss system is tailored to its own needs and constraints which are quite different from those we face in Singapore. The Swiss conscriptee fulfils a total of 49 weeks of military service spanning from the age of 20 to 50. National Service for the average Swiss is, therefore, done at quite a leisurely pace. The SAF has to be built up over a short period of time. We could not, therefore, afford to stretch the training of our soldiers over a long period. As to the proposal to extend National Service up to 50 years of age, which in Singapore means the extension of reservist liability beyond the 2-2 1/2 years of full-time service, we have to recognise that in Singapore, we have numerous competing demands for the same manpower resources. Manpower priority for defence ranks almost equal to that for economic production on which Singapore's survival also depends. My Ministry is ever mindful of the manpower needs of other sectors. Extension of reservist liability beyond the current 10-year limit will cause serious and unnecessary disruption of the productive sectors. The Member for Punggol can be assured, however, that given our regular intakes of national servicemen and coupled with reservist training during the 10-year reserve period, the SAF will always have enough well-trained and physically fit soldiers. As for the call-up of women for auxiliary services, my Ministry is already actively recruiting women into our regular service to take over jobs suitable for them.”
“Sir, under current practice, exit permits are, in fact, valid up to one year but the duration of the exit permit will depend on the validity of the passport issued. Currently, passports are normally issued for six-monthly intervals but in cases where students are proceeding abroad for studies, exit permits are given up to four years. CONTACT LENS PRACTICE AND SALE (Legislation) 2. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing legislation to control contact lens practice and the sale of contact lenses.”
“I mentioned just now that the Traffic Police will monitor the traffic flow. If there are accidents taking place, the reversal of lanes will take place according to the circumstances of the accident at that time. TELOK BLANGAH CONSTITUENCY (Building of primary and secondary schools) 26. Mr Ahmad Haleem asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how many primary and secondary schools will be built in Telok Blangah Constituency. The Acting Minister for Education (Mr Chai Chong Yii) (for the Minister for Home Affairs and Education): Sir, in new towns, schools are built on the basis of the total school-going population in these towns, as well as those living within three to six kilometres away. They are not built on the basis of the school-going population within a particular constituency. Within the Telok Blangah New Town, there are at present five primary and two full schools. Within three to six kilometres away from the New Town, there is a total of 25 primary and 13 secondary schools. Within the Telok Blangah Constituency itself, there are at present three primary schools, of which one was built recently. One secondary school with 28 classrooms will be built at Depot Road, within the Constituency.”
“Sir, the hon. Member for Sambawang will be pleased to know that since April 1974 reversal of normal traffic flow in the centre carriageway of Nicoll Highway has been implemented whenever major matches took place at the National Stadium. Part of the traffic leaving the Stadium towards the city is diverted to the centre carriageway, easing the flow of traffic towards the city. Buses, lorries, pickups and motor-cycles which are normally prohibited from travelling in the centre carriageway are also allowed free passage. As soon as the traffic emerging from the Stadium eases, the normal direction of flow in the centre carriageway is restored. The Traffic Police will continue to monitor traffic conditions and direct traffic flow along Nicoll Highway when there are big matches at the National Stadium.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Main and Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1978 to 31st March, 1979, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”