Chan Chee Seng
Singapore
“If these practices are not being taken seriously by occupants of high-rise buildings, they will be repeated until the Singapore Fire Service is thoroughly satisfied. Finally, I would like to assure the House that the Singapore Fire Service keeps abreast of technological advances in the fighting of high-rise fires.”
“Only the Kallang Creche has been transferred to SILO to run. In the case of the staff in the Kallang Creche, they were absorbed into the other 10 creches to fill vacancies. As for the transfer of the other creches to the NTUC, this is still under consideration and has not been implemented yet.”
“I would like to clarify matters today by posing two questions. The first question is whether we should encourage the habit of reliance on others? The second question is whether we should encourage the people to be self-reliant in order to be able to help or look after themselves?”
“The Social Welfare Department will improve its classification procedure so as to provide information of employable disabled persons and to assist disabled persons to remain in employment through intensive counselling before employment and follow-up services after job placement In 1974 the Social Welfare Department cooperated with the Mini…”
“Volunteer counsellors and advisers could be engaged from within the community to man them, with expert assistance from a small number of professional social welfare staff.”
“Anyway, I agree with the Member that we must look after our old people properly and give them good food and to prepare the food as palatable as possible. We must realise that there are about 270 inmates in the Bushey Park Home. When they were admitted, some of them were feeble, while others were sick.”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I answer on behalf of my Ministry? The label "voluntary welfare organizations" indicates that these organizations have the financial capacity and management ability. They also have ample capability of looking after their own problems. If we come in and assist them, then that organization is no more a voluntary organization. However, we do help some organizations when they need us, but normally they do not come to us for help. In case there are organizations which need the help of the Ministry, the Ministry would be happy to look into their request. SUPPLY AND SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY BILLS (Business Motion) 2.44 p.m. Resolved, That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, the second and third readings of the Supply Bill for the financial year 1st April, 1981 to 31st March, 1982 and the Supplementary Supply Bill for the financial year 1st April, 1980 to 31st March, 1981 may be proceeded with immediately on the conclusion of the proceedings on the Budget for the financial year 1st April, 1981 to 31st March, 1982. - [Mr Goh Chok Tong]. MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1981 TO 31ST MARCH, 1982 Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [1st Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 2.45 p.m.”
“MOTOR VEHICLES (THIRD-PARTY RISKS AND COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act (Chapter 88 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Communications and Acting Minister for Culture (Mr Ong Teng Cheong); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed. SALE OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Sale of Commercial Properties Act, 1979 (No. 14 of 1979)", presented by the Minister for Notional Development (Mr Teh Cheang Wan); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed. ECONOMIC EXPANSION INCENTIVES (RELIEF FROM INCOME TAX) (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Economic Expansion Incentives (Relief from Income Tax) Act (Chapter 135 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Trade and Industry (Mr Goh Chok Tong); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed. PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.55 p.m.”
“I think we did quite well in fighting the fire at Dynasty Hotel. 3.50 p.m. BILLS INTRODUCED ABORTION (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Abortion Act, 1974 (No. 24 of 1974) and to make consequential amendments to the Penal Code (Chapter 103 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Health (Dr Toh Chin Chye); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed. EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Employment Act (Chapter 122 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Labour (Mr Ong Pang Boon); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed. WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1975 (No. 25 of 1975)". presented by Mr Ong Pang Boon; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed. STATE LANDS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the State Lands Act (Chapter 285 of the Revised Edition)", 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. ACCOUNTANTS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Accountants Act (Chapter 212 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Finance (Mr H on Sui Sen); read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. INCOME TAX (AMENDMENT NO. 2) BILL "to amend the Income Tax Act (Chapter 141 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr Hon Sui Sen; read the First time; to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament and to be printed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, that depends on the mate of the building and the situation of the fire.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is true that an incomplete high-rise building is without ventilated staircases and fire-fighting lobbies. But in fighting a fire in an incomplete highrise building, we still need to fight it from within and not from above or from anywhere.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I suppose fighting a fire in a building which is under construction is almost the same as fighting a fire in a building which has been completed.”
“If these practices are not being taken seriously by occupants of high-rise buildings, they will be repeated until the Singapore Fire Service is thoroughly satisfied. Finally, I would like to assure the House that the Singapore Fire Service keeps abreast of technological advances in the fighting of high-rise fires. Wherever practicable, the Service will adopt proven fire-fighting techniques.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the equipment needed to fight fires in high-rise buildings is basically the same as those used to fight other fires. The Singapore Fire Service has the necessary equipment. As the tallest mechanical ladders have a maximum height of 30 metres, fires which break out on the upper floors of high-rise buildings cannot be fought through exterior-based operations. They have to be fought from within, using built-in fire-fighting facilities such as internal fire water main systems, fire lifts, pressurised or ventilated staircases and fire-fighting lobbies. The local fire codes require the provision of these facilities in high-rise buildings. The Singapore Fire Service practises high-rise fire-fighting procedures every week. Officers and men are sent to high-rise buildings on these occasions to practise fire-fighting and rescue drills and to familiarise themselves with the layout of the buildings. The High-rise Fire-fighting Unit, which was formed in 1976, carries out periodic inspections of fire-fighting, detection and protection systems in high-rise buildings. The Singapore Fire Service has a Search and Rescue Squad consisting of 108 men who have undergone intensive training in the rescue of trapped victims of fires in high-rise buildings. They have been sent for specialised training with the Commando Battalion and Helicopter Squadron of the Singapore Armed Forces. In addition, there is a contingency plan for obtaining the assistance of RSAF helicopters for carrying out aerial evacuation of trapped victims and for lowering fire-fighting equipment onto the rooftops of high-rise buildings. Three-quarters of the efficacy of these fire practices depend on constant co-ordination and rehearsals of what to do in an emergency.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, when any decree absolute for divorce is made by a Court, the Court has power to make, if it thinks fit, an order that the husband pays to the wife a gross sum of money or an annual sum for any term not exceeding her life. In making such an order of alimony, the Court wilt have regard to the wife's property, if any, to the ability of the husband and to the conduct of the parties. The Court also has power to make an order, if it thinks fit, on the husband for payment to the wife during their joint lives of such monthly sum for her maintenance and support as the Court thinks reasonable. The order for maintenance may be either in addition to or instead of an order of alimony. In making an order of maintenance or alimony, the Court is guided by equitable principles. In general, a Court does not make an order in favour of a guilty wife who is responsible for the break-up of the marriage. Mr Speaker, Sir, the application by a wife, upon divorce, for the payment of alimony or maintenance is decided according to the merits of each individual case. The hon. Member for Khe Bong is suggesting that the law be changed so that we take away the jurisdiction of the Court to grant alimony or maintenance simply because the parties are divorced on the ground that they had been living apart for a period of seven years and the husband had committed no matrimonial offence. The law, as it stands, enables the Court to exercise its discretion after examining the circumstances of each case, and it is undesirable to amend the law to introduce such an inflexible rule.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am afraid I am not able to answer his questions because this matter is still under negotiation. Until we have definite results, I cannot answer him.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if it is necessary, private organisations in the commercial or industrial sector can liaise with us on this matter. Of course, as a Department in charge of creches, we have the duty to help them to set up the creches.”
“Only the Kallang Creche has been transferred to SILO to run. In the case of the staff in the Kallang Creche, they were absorbed into the other 10 creches to fill vacancies. As for the transfer of the other creches to the NTUC, this is still under consideration and has not been implemented yet. Should the creches be transferred to the NTUC, they will have their own trained staff to operate the creches. The staff of the existing creches will be redeployed. The creches and the equipment will be transferred to the NTUC on take-over. However, rent and other charges will be met by the organisation concerned.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Sembawang has asked whether a creche could be built in Marsiling area, in Sembawang constituency. The Social Welfare Department fully agrees with the Member that there must be adequate creche facilities to look after the children of working mothers. Since the creche services are very highly subsidised, the Department will have to be convinced that there is a demand for such services in a particular area before a creche is built. The building of a creche can be considered if the need for creche facilities is established. Although there are plans to establish more creches, the present policy is to encourage and help the private sector to set up their own creche in or near their premises to assist married female workers who have young children. The aim is to encourage more married women to take up employment in Singapore. The Social Welfare Department will advise and assist any private or non-Governmental organisation that wishes to start a creche for its female workers. It will also ensure that such creches are properly run. The Member for Sembawang has said that the staff for the creches of the Social Welfare Department have been drastically reduced. The reduction of staff in the various creches in 1976 was the result of the implementation of a new staffing norm which the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Social Affairs agreed on to reduce the high cost of running Government creches. Except for the few larger creches, the majority of the other creches are not affected. In fact, two creches, such as Lee Kuo Chuan Creche and the Tanjong Pagar Creche, have increased their staff under the new staffing norm. Mr Speaker, Sir, with regard to the Member for Jurong's query, let me correct the picture on the transfer of creches to-date.”
“Sir, that depends on the salary that the recipient gets from the job. If the salary is not very big, then we will certainly consider the case.”
“I have mentioned earlier that there has not been much change in the consumer price index since the last review to merit a further review of the rates of public assistance. Under the public assistance scheme, a recipient with a wife is allowed, in addition to his public assistance allowance of $66 per month, to retain an increased income of up to $15 per month. Under the mean test he gets another $15 per month under a work incentive credit system. This $30 is disregarded in the assessment of the quantum of public assistance allowance payable. Also, an additional disability allowance of $10 per month is payable to a head of a household who is certified permanently disabled. Fares are also given to recipients who need to attend Government clinics or hospitals for treatment. Public assistance recipients, particularly the aged, in addition to public assistance, are also receiving in cash and kind from charitable bodies and voluntary organisations. Wherever possible, the Department also helps to find jobs for the public assistance recipients or their families so that they can be self-sufficient and will not have to depend on welfare aid. The Social Welfare Department is therefore unable to assist further with the payment of rentals to public assistance recipients. Recipients, where possible, are encouraged to help themselves as Government alone is not able to provide adequately for all the needs of public assistance recipients. For 1976 the Social Welfare Department disbursed $3.6 million in public assistance allowance to a monthly average of 6,640 families.”
“Steps have already been taken to extend the office space on the ground floor of the Social Welfare Department. The extension work will enable the Department to make available interviewing rooms so that interviews can be conducted in privacy. Unnecessary wooden partitions will be removed so that the staff may carry out their work in a more comfortable atmosphere. On the points made by the Member for Delta, under the public assistance scheme all recipients where possible, including the handicapped and aged, are encouraged and assisted to take on part-time jobs to supplement their public assistance allowance so that they need not entirely be dependent on Government welfare relief. However, there has to be a limit to the amount of income that the public assistance recipient is allowed to retain, otherwise public assistance allowance will be taken by these recipients as a supplementary income and it will also encourage them to stay on public assistance allowance for as long as possible. Every encouragement will be given to assist public assistance recipients to try to be self-dependent where possible. The criteria for public assistance are stringent and those who are able but unwilling to work are disqualified from public assistance. The Self-Employment Assistance Scheme, a self-help project, was implemented by the Social Welfare Department in February 1977. This is to provide interest-free loans to help those in poor financial circumstances to stand on their own feet. It is financed from a charity fund. The public assistance vote is not used for this project. The Self-Employment Assistance Scheme is to cater specially for public assistance recipients to enable them to be self-supporting. Sir, on the points raised by the Member for Punggol.”
“Thus a work release scheme has been introduced in Toa Payoh Girls' Home where girls who have more adequate programmes and show good behaviour go out to work daily in an approved factory. The girls are encouraged to continue working in the particular factory where there is good supervision over them on their discharge. The Mount Emily Girls' Home factory assembly work is continuing. This provides the girls with the discipline for working in factory settings. They are encouraged to continue in such occupations on their discharge. Apart from more discipline being stressed in training programmes, more interesting and varied educational and recreational programmes are also being introduced to produce mentally and physically healthy young persons. It is expected that more trained staff will be deployed on counselling programmes for girls in residential institutions in the new financial year. Family disputes, whether they are between parents and children or between marital parents, are often the result of relationship problems. These problems in turn are caused by personality conflicts. Such cases require a considerable amount of counselling over a long period of time. Reconciliation is often temporary and problems erupt again each time a family faces a crisis. The Social Welfare Department is aware of the importance of this Counselling and Advice Section and attempts are being made to upgrade the effectiveness of the work of this section. The section will be staffed with higher grade trained staff in the new financial year. One staff member will be leaving for special training in marital counselling in the United Kingdom shortly, and the second phase of the in-service training programme on counselling for staff of the section has begun on 15th March this year.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Sembawang has brought up a case which is more than a complaint during his meet-the-people session. He has accused our staff of handling the case in a rather hasty manner. If it were so, I apologise and ask him to give us the details of the case so that we can send somebody to look into this matter. I come to the points made by the Member for Anson. In 1976 a total of 400 girls were discharged or paroled from the Social Welfare Girls' Home. Only 43 girls or 10% were readmitted. Many of these girls were recalled because of an infringement of parole conditions, such as: That she shall not involve herself in activities detrimental to her work; That she shall not frequent or work in bars; That she shall not change her address and employment without the prior knowledge and consent of her after-care officer; That she shall take instruction from her after-care officers when given. The girls were therefore readmitted for reasons other than that which has precipitated the admission into the Home originally. In many cases, readmission is necessary to enhance the rehabilitation process. The Social Welfare Department has recently undertaken a reorganisation of this Girls' Home. This is to effect better classification and segregation of the girls according to their behaviour and the kind of care or rehabilitation required by each individual girl. Rehabilitation programme within the institutions was also reviewed. Programmes to inculcate more discipline and for greater character-building and citizenship were introduced. Where it appeared that a girl could no longer benefit from academic schooling, training for skills or for work discipline in an industrial setting was provided.”
“I would like to clarify matters today by posing two questions. The first question is whether we should encourage the habit of reliance on others? The second question is whether we should encourage the people to be self-reliant in order to be able to help or look after themselves?”
“I feel that if there is any problem or difficulty, it should be taken as a challenge to the family concerned, as a training or testing ground for them to steel their spirit as well as their ability to survive. The strong-willed will overcome it while the feeble will succumb to charitable aid. So, as Members of Parliament, we should understand this spirit of struggle for life and try to teach the people the idea of self-reliance. The Member has mentioned Justice Pao. Actually he is a symbol of an honest and a just judge. It is a legendary story in which he is being deified. Even in the film that we see, one side of his face is black and the other white, and between his eye brows there is a mystical symbol of a talisman. The black side of his face signifies that he is also a judge in Hades, so that while he judges the living world he can also judge the spirit of man after death. 3.45 p.m. We have also heard stories that even the emperor gave him a regal sword authorizing him to cut off the heads of high officials or close relatives of the emperor without prior decree of the emperor if such a person was adjudged to have committed a serious error or offence. We see Justice Pao hearing cases in his court and easily cut off the prisoner's head to mete out justice. This never happens in our present situation. Here, we even have heated debate over such a small matter as "barbed wire". But Justice Pao was never able to solve the problems on economy, employment construction and other matters of national interest. I feel that the present MPs are more capable than Justice Pao who was only able to preside over fictitious cases. Our MPs are more capable than these things; they can also take part in nation building besides other things.”
“The publication of news of a tragedy in the newspapers will arouse the sympathy of many kind-hearted people in our society, and those in sympathy, particularly charitable philanthropists, would respond quickly to the newspaper's appeal to come to the aid of such distressed people. It sometimes happen that when we send investigators to look into the matter asking them to first approach us for help, these people would say, "No. You had better not take any action to help us until the newspapers have published our news so that we can get more financial relief from members of the public. Then we will contact you for any help." This is a very common occurrence. This is a weakness in people who want to get more money for the family by creating a tragic story. Sometimes we have occasion to discuss this with the journalists. After establishing the untruth of such a story, we ask the journalists to publish corrections in their newspapers but they refuse because it might reflect a very poor image of the journalists as being harsh or immoral to such people. That is why we often read such tragic news in the newspapers but never a correction of the story if there was one. To publish corrections to those incorrect cases would seem to affect the image of integrity or morality of the newspapers concerned. As Members of Parliament, we used to meet with such instances. Of course, when more genuine cases are brought out people would not criticise us for what we do, but whatever dubious cases that we have uncovered, the people would close their eyes and regard us as being immoral. As I have said, there is always some difficulty with every family. How do we educate our people to overcome the difficulty?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, after hearing the speech of the Member for Boon Lay yesterday in which he accused my Minister as being one who has no sympathy and one with a stony heart, I would not have spoken had it not been for the fact that this accusation is levelled not only at my Minister but also affects the Ministry of Social Affairs as a whole, So our image will be portrayed adversely as one not carrying out our duty well. As a person who is also involved in the work of this Ministry, I know that the majority of problems that we deal in our daily routine come from members of the public, sometimes through MPs, or from journalists. Whenever an issue or a problem arises, we look into it immediately or send somebody to investigate, if necessary. The Member for Boon Lay has said that this matter has not received our attention, as though we would not want to help anybody in distress. He even went to the extent of describing us as not being aware of a tragedy. I say that everybody has some difficulties at home and all matters or problems have their priorities. Sometimes it may appear that a problem presents a challenge or a lesson or an experience that everybody has to undergo. Some can overcome it; but to those who cannot, it may seem to be the end of the road for them when everything is not lost yet. The Member for Boon Lay thinks that whenever there is any problem facing any member of the public, we must immediately go to his aid. I think this is not the way. When a newspaper publishes such hardship stories, the journalists, of course, report it with good intentions. We hold nothing against them but there are certain things behind such stories which they might not be aware of.”
“The Social Welfare Department will improve its classification procedure so as to provide information of employable disabled persons and to assist disabled persons to remain in employment through intensive counselling before employment and follow-up services after job placement In 1974 the Social Welfare Department cooperated with the Ministry of Finance on a survey of the employment of handicapped people in Government service. Arising from the survey, several grades of appointment to the Service were identified as suitable for handicapped persons. Government departments have been urged to employ more handicapped people wherever possible. There is a standing procedure whereby the Social Welfare Department will supply information on employable handicapped people to the Labour Exchange and the Special Committee in the Ministry of Labour. These handicapped people are then referred to the Department for employment whenever vacancies arise. At present there are 137 handicapped persons employed in Government and quasi-government bodies.”
“Sir, services for the disabled have in general been provided by voluntary welfare bodies with Government Support in the form of consultations, financial assistance, and the provision of teachers and instructors. The Government should not duplicate the good work that has been done and is being done by the various associations. The associations operate a comprehensive range of facilities for the disabled, including welfare offices, a training centre, a residential institutional home, school, administrative offices and an appeals office. The Government will continue to provide assistance to associations and plans to work more closely with all voluntary welfare organisations for more effective service to the disadvantaged group in our society. The Government and the voluntary welfare sector at present assist the disabled to rehabilitate themselves and to attain a productive and meaningful life. The Ministry of Labour, tile Social Welfare Department and some voluntary organisations provide employment placement service for the handicapped. The Social Welfare Department also maintains a register of all known disabled persons to assess their needs for employment and to facilitate their placement for jobs. The tour of factories for the disabled was to stimulate greater interest among employers in their employment of disabled persons. It is important to involve the community in all efforts to help the disabled. Prejudice and ignorance should be overcome and society must be made to understand that the basic needs of the handicapped are similar to the needs of all other people. Indeed, one voluntary organisation has taken the initiative rightly by publishing a brochure on employment opportunities for the handicapped.”
“Volunteer counsellors and advisers could be engaged from within the community to man them, with expert assistance from a small number of professional social welfare staff. With regard to the decentralisation of services and the utilisation of community resources, the Ministry of Social Affairs is launching the community probation service in two constituencies. The idea is to involve volunteer workers at neighbourhood level to counsel and assist probationers. If the scheme is successful, it will be extended to other constituencies.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, at the outset, on behalf of the Ministry. I must thank Hon. Members for their kind words. The Ministry of Social Affairs' Counselling and Advice Section at present operates from the headquarters of the Social Welfare Department at Pearl's Hill. At its present location, it has been well accepted. Last year, 6,310 clients used the services of our Counselling and Advice Section, not only for marital disputes but also for other family disputes, pre-marital counselling, help in tracing missing people, disputes with neighbours and tenancy disputes. It may be that there is a need, as the Member for Jalan Kayu has pointed out, for these services to be decentralised. In this connection, my Ministry has since 1st December, 1975 established a common intake unit which has the function of receiving all inquiries and requests for social welfare assistance. In December 1 975 alone, the common intake unit dealt with 574 cases which required short-term help and needed reference to other sections. With the establishment of this unit, it has become possible to monitor the types of cases that are received, with a view to studying the trends of social welfare needs in Singapore. Information thus gathered will help to indicate not only whether there is a demand for decentralised counselling services but also the location for which the decentralised services should operate for maximum effect. If a need is indicated, the Ministry will consider setting up decentralised services perhaps, as the Hon. Member has suggested, at community centres. This could take the form of area social welfare centres providing advisory information, counselling and referral services to people in the community centres. These centres would also utilise community resources in their operation.”
“Sir, I said that this scheme is being experimented at the present. We have not yet come to any concrete solution. If the reaction from the society is good, then we will do something more.”
“Sir, we have the Singapore Association for Retarded Children which runs four children's homes. They are the Lee Kuo Chuan Centre, Geylang Centre, Jurong Centre and the Toa Payoh Centre. Just now two Members have aired their feelings and I fully sympathise with them. Of course, looking after such children in their own homes is a problem to their families. But the question is: how are the children affected psychologically? And this is important. It is common to see parents putting their children in the homes and then forget about the whole thing. This will lead to a situation where children once out of sight means out of love. In this way, the children would just dissipate away. My thinking is that the parents should first have to look after their own children. It is only when they cannot tackle this problem, that it becomes the Government's problem to sort things out, as a last resort If the Member for Sembawang could raise with us the matter of two cases mentioned earlier, we will consider according to their merits, the possibility of, say, recommending accommodation for the children in an institutional home.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are a number of voluntary organisations that serve handicapped children. Some of them maintain homes for such children while others run schools and training centres. Disabled children should, wherever possible, remain in their own homes where their families can give them the personal care, attention and love that are very necessary for their growth and development. Children may be admitted into residential institutions only as a last resort. With this view, every possible assistance is given to encourage families to care for their disabled children in their own homes. This includes training and education provided by voluntary welfare organisations and counselling and welfare for the children and their families. In this respect, the Government helps voluntary welfare organisations to provide those essential services by disbursing quarterly grants to meet administrative expenses and salaries of the numerous teaching staff employed in the voluntary welfare organisations. The voluntary organisations have very ably provided welfare services for the disabled, and the Government will continue to provide support through consultation and financial assistance. The Government does not, however, intend to duplicate the work of these organisations but will work more closely with them to achieve a more effective service for the public. In this connection, voluntary welfare organisations do from time to time submit proposals to expand their facilities. Our Ministry has always supported such proposals and will continue to support any organisation prepared to construct homes for handicapped children who need admission into residential institutions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Changi may wish to know that my Ministry has given considerable thought to the need for a new building for the Registry of Marriages. The present Registry is crammed and not so well located. The ceremony at the Registry leaves little for the married couples to treasure in their memories. Furthermore, the present site is affected by the development project to convert Fort Canning Hill and its surrounding slopes into a Central Park-cum-Cultural Centre. The Ministry has considered a number of sites as alternative accommodation for the Registry, and has decided to house the Registry of Marriages in a building at Fort Canning, which is now occupied by the Singapore Command and Staff College. As soon as the Ministry of Defence finds another place to accommodate the College, renovation works will begin to convert the building for use by the Registry. The new Registry of Marriages building will blend with the scenic beauty of the Central Park at Fort Canning. It will have proper facilities for the solemnisation of marriages. There will be two solemnisation halls, a notice section and one waiting room. In addition, there will be a large marriage ceremony hall with space for musical hands, which could be used by couples for reception to he held to entertain their friends and relatives. Other facilities in the new building include restaurants, shops, photographic studios, piped romantic music while the couples are waiting to be married as well as a chamber for brides.”
“Anyway, I agree with the Member that we must look after our old people properly and give them good food and to prepare the food as palatable as possible. We must realise that there are about 270 inmates in the Bushey Park Home. When they were admitted, some of them were feeble, while others were sick. But because of the medical attention and the care given, these old people develop a very good appetite after two weeks of admission. In fact, their appetite has increased, and there arc very clear instances to prove this. Even the swill collectors complain that there is not enough left-overs for the swill cans. All this goes to show that the food has been well consumed. It also goes to show that the health of the inmates has improved to the extent that they are able to consume all the food provided, with very little left-over for the swill cans. Anyway, I would like to thank the Member for showing interest in our old people. We will continue to give our care and concern, particularly in respect of the food that is provided.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Telok Blangah has made certain complaints about the food provided in the Bushey Park Home. The actual situation is not so serious as he has made it. The old folks in the Home are there because they have already made their contribution to society in their youth. So it is our duty and responsibility to look after them now that they are old; hence the Home for the Aged. The Member's complaint is that the food provided in the food is tasteless and colourless. I think it is difficult to please everybody's taste. People with different backgrounds have different tastes. If the old folks there had a background of riches in the past they must have developed a very keen taste for good food. But if they had a poor life, then their taste is different from the rich people. The real test is whether we ourselves have tasted the food. Anyway, I would like to thank the Member for showing concern and interest. As regards his complaint we have, in fact, investigated the matter and found that the bean curd, ikan bilis and sambal were served on that particular day when the Member called at the Home. And it was because of the knowledge that an MP was coming that the cook became nervous, and mixed up all the food. The ikan bills was put together with the vegetables and the bean curd. And so the whole thing became a "concoction" as the Member has said. Perhaps it was this nervousness that caused the food to be so tasteless or "in a mess". Sir, nowadays it is difficult to get good cooks, and we must also realise that mass cooking is a problem in itself. The cooks do not have to cook for individuals. They have to cook for many people at a time.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, at the present juncture there is no need for the Government to set up such an institution. I think it is best left to the voluntary organisations to set up homes for the handicapped persons. When it is necessary, we will consider such needs.”
“In addition, it administers a fostering scheme for mentally defective children and a maintenance allowance to encourage parents to keep their mentally defective children at home. There is, therefore, no need for the Government to build an institution for handicapped children. As for handicapped adults, the Government lays emphasis on their training and rehabilitation to enable them to be self-supporting and to remain with their families as useful members of the community.”
“Those organisations concerned with the care of the aged should now consider the alternatives to long-term institutional care for the aged. They should give increasing attention to the development of facilities and services which would encourage the aged to continue living and participating in the community. It is possible that the long waiting list referred to by the Member for Sembawang may mean the aged chronic sick who, however, do not come under the purview of my Ministry. As for the building of a residential home for handicapped people, the Member for Sembawang may be interested to know that in the voluntary sector, an impressive network of services for the care and welfare of handicapped children already exists. It is the Government's view that parents should be encouraged to keep their handicapped children at home where they can provide them with the love and attention so necessary for their growth and development. A number of voluntary organisations do provide institutional facilities for some categories of handicapped children. The welfare and training of the physically and mentally handicapped children is a field in which the voluntary organisations have all along excelled. The Government does not intend to duplicate the facilities these voluntary welfare organisations provide. The Government will, however, continue to assist these organisations so that they can carry out their welfare work among the physically and mentally handicapped more effectively. At present, the Government pays the salaries of many of the teaching staff in the voluntary organisations and makes per capita grants to approved institutions that provide residential care for handicapped children and quarterly grants to meet administration expenses of a number of voluntary organisations.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no long waiting list for admission into the Social Welfare Department's Home for the Aged at Woodlands. There are only 18 aged persons awaiting admission into this Home, and their applications have been proposed. Although there are a number of aged persons awaiting admission into the voluntary homes for the aged, there is no lack of initiative and effort to meet this increasing demand. The Salvation Army's Lee Kuo Chuan Home for the Aged will open sometime in June this year, while the Society for the Aged Sick is planning an extension to its premises at Jalan Payoh Lai. The Singapore Council of Social Service is also building a home for the aged in Mandai and another voluntary organisation plans to build a similar home. The Government agrees that homes should be provided for the aged who require them and will continue to encourage and support voluntary and community initiatives in the development of more homes for the aged. But there is also a need for a balanced approach in the planning and implementation of welfare facilities for the aged. Institutional care for the aged is not a substitute for family care. The support. security and continued interaction with the family and the members of the community are vital elements in the life of an aged person. The Government recognises the need for the aged to live with their families. The revised income tax laws which allow tax relief for maintenance of aged parents and grandparents is one of the positive measures the Government has taken. The Housing and Development Board is also giving special consideration by providing adequate accommodation for large families.”
“Clause 5, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 6 to 10 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Bill reported with amendments; read a Third time and passed. STATE LANDS ENCROACHMENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.15 p.m.”
“It is felt that the Council should have these powers in order to be more effective as the co-ordinating body for voluntary welfare activities in Singapore. It also keeps the public and community informed on current trends and developments among its member organisations and the welfare community in general. The regulations which the Council intends to make are subject to the approval of the Minister for Social Affairs. Finally, to remove doubt as to whether the Council is authorised to accept gifts and procure contributions not only to the Singapore Council of Social Service Fund but to establish and administer trust funds, it is proposed to amend the Act to enable the Council to administer such trusts. From time to time, the Council has been approached by Foundations and Trusts to hold monies in trust but because of the uncertainty regarding its power in this matter, the Council has been unable to act on these offers. In view of the need to maintain the spirit of voluntary social work among Singaporeans, it is necessary to provide the Council with an effective framework for the achievement of its objectives. Hence, the need to enact this amendment to the Singapore Council of Social Service Act. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr Chan Chee Seng]. Bill considered in Committee. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] Clauses 1 to 4 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 5- Amendments made: In page 2, line 15, to leave out "to". - [Mr Chan Chee Seng]. In page 2, line 17, to leave out "to". - [Mr Chan Chee Seng]. In page 2, line 22, to leave out "to". - [Mr Chan Chee Seng].”
“As regards the Board of Management, whose members are elected by the Council from among its member organisations and associates or are ex-officio members, there is a provision in the Amendment Bill which stipulates that only those who are confirmed as still being representatives of member organisations can be re-elected to office in the Board. In this way, the Council hopes to ensure that only those who are still actively involved in the work of its various members are allowed to be elected or to hold office on the Board of Management of the Council. In addition to the Annual General Meeting, the Council also holds two general meetings each year. This is specified in the Singapore Council of Social Service Act. However, administratively the Council is now able to work much more closely with members and keep them informed on developments through the various committees set up to service members as well as other channels of communication such as circulars, news bulletin, etc. Therefore, there is no further need to have two general meetings a year. This is why it is proposed that the frequency of general meetings be reduced to just once a year (excluding the Annual General Meeting) in order to encourage greater participation on the committee level which is a much more effective means of relating and involving members to come together to further the objects of the Council. It is also proposed that the Council be vested with the power to make its own regulations concerning procedural matters on application for and withdrawal of membership in the Council, the conduct of general meetings and the submission of reports and returns by member organisations.”
“It is therefore proposed that the Singapore Council of Social Service Act be amended to limit purely religious and non-welfare related organisations from seeking affiliation to the Council. Such organisations which seek to carry out welfare and social service activities and wish to affiliate with the Council must establish a separate structure for social and welfare activities and could then seek affiliation in their own right. Under current legislation, any person, firm, corporation or organisation which subscribes not less than $25 per year may be an associate of the Council. Likewise, any organisation affiliated to the Council must subscribe not less than $10 to the Council. The Council has, among its associates and member organisations, a wide-ranging group of bodies, including many well-known firms and corporations. The present subscription of $25 per annum for associates can be considered negligible. My Ministry therefore proposes an amendment to allow the Council to charge any subscription it thinks fit for associates as well as for member organisations. There are many people who are interested in welfare work but who, for some personal reason, do not wish to be attached to any particular welfare organisation. Such people should be encouraged, nevertheless, to contribute towards the work of the Council. It is proposed that the Council be empowered to appoint such people as honorary members, in addition to the patrons-in-chief and patrons whom the Council is already authorised to appoint. In this way, more people could contribute actively towards the work of the Council. Such honorary members will, however, be restricted from holding office and voting in the Board of Management of the Council.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Singapore Council of Social Service (Amendment) Bill was introduced in Parliament on 23rd October, 1974. This Bill, now before the House, seeks to make amendments to the Singapore Council of Social Service Act, 1968, in the light of the experience gained by the Council in administering the Act over the years. The Council was formally established with the following objectives: (a) to co-ordinate the voluntary welfare activities in Singapore not only between its member organisations, but also with other organisations; (b) to maintain and improve standards of voluntary social work and to encourage voluntary welfare efforts in fields not fully covered by Government; (c) to assist member organisations in their efforts to promote welfare activities in Singapore; (d) to initiate, assist and organise forms of relief and schemes of social service; (e) to disseminate information to members of the public and interest them in social welfare matters and to encourage their participation in these matters; and (f) to make recommendations to Government regarding legislation in the field of social welfare. In the course of administering the Act to achieve these objectives, the Council has encountered some problems and this is why my Ministry has proposed the amendments in this Bill. I shall now elaborate on these problems. Past experience shows that many purely religious and non-welfare related organisations have sought affiliation with the Council. However, the Council's main interest and focus is on welfare and social service.”
“It is envisaged that with the longer life expectation which people now enjoy, the problem of the care of the aged will become more acute. There will, therefore, be necessity for the activities of the various organisations concerned with the care of the aged to be co-ordinated. It may not, however, be necessary to set up a National Association for the aged sick but to have such co-ordination done through existing facilities now available. It may be possible for the Council of Social Service whose objects are "to co-ordinate voluntary welfare activities in Singapore not only as between member organisations of the Council but also with other organisations" to undertake this function.”
“In the planning of more adequate services for these categories of people therefore, both the Government and voluntary welfare organisations have borne in mind the need for a balanced approach and have taken steps both to improve facilities and increase accommodation in institutions for the aged as well as to introduce new services which will enable the continued participation of the aged in the community. As far as Government effort is concerned, in addition to the construction of four new dormitories in the Woodlands Home for the Aged to accommodate a greater number of aged persons, the Department of Social Welfare is proposing the setting up of Area Social Welfare Centres in the various housing estates which will provide, among other services, the establishment of Old People's Clubs where the aged could have the opportunity of socialising with others, engaging in leisure activities and on the whole leading a more meaningful life. In keeping with the new thinking not to isolate the aged from the community, the Government recognises the need to assist the aged to continue living with their families. The revised Income Tax laws which allow for tax relief for maintenance of aged parents and grandparents is one of the positive measures by the Government in this direction. In the voluntary sector, the Singapore Council of Social Service is setting up a Home for the Aged at Mandai. A community Home for the Aged in a housing estate at Henderson Hill has been implemented successfully, and this has encouraged other efforts by the Singapore Council of Social Service to explore the possibility of establishing a paying hostel for old people at Housing and Development Board estates.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, according to available records maintained by the Social Welfare Department, the total number of aged persons in the various charitable homes was as follows:- Year Number 1969 471 1970 467 1971 538 1972 608 1973 669 The total number of residents in the Woodlands Home for the Aged administered by the Social Welfare Department was:- Year Number 1969 375 1970 433 1971 437 1972 463 1973 564 There is no accurate record of the number of aged sick persons in the various charitable homes known to the Social Welfare Department. According to records maintained by these homes, the number of aged sick persons was as follows: - Year Number 1969 295 1970 316 1971 438 1972 436 1973 451 The only Government Chronic Sick Hospital has about 100 aged sick persons under its care. The Member for Jalan Kayu will agree that caring for the aged and aged sick, as in all welfare efforts, must be a community responsibility involving both the efforts of the Government and the private sector. There is happily no lack of initiative from both these sectors in the planning and implementation of more adequate services for the aged and the aged sick. Although both the Government and voluntary welfare organisations do provide institutional care for the aged and the aged sick, this we recognise is, at best, only a poor substitute for family care. Recent developments in the Republic have been in the direction of establishing facilities and services which will encourage the aged as well as the able-bodied persons to continue living and participating in the community.”
“Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. PARKING PLACES BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.02 p.m.”
“To remedy this, sections 5 and 6 of the Act will be repealed and two new sections re-enacted to provide the Registrar with wider powers in considering an application for the registration of a mutual benefit organisation. Under the existing section 7, a person aggrieved by the refusal of the Registrar to register an organisation may appeal at any time to the Minister. It is desirable to stipulate a fixed period in which an appeal may be made. Section 7 of the Act is, therefore, being amended so that an appeal against the decision of a Registrar must be made within one month from the date of notification of such a decision. In addition, a new section 1lA is being introduced for the purpose of prohibiting any person who has been convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, or who has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year or to a fine of not less than $2,000 and who has not received a free pardon, from acting as an officer of a mutual benefit Organisation. Subsection (1) of section 27 will be deleted and a new subsection re-enacted to give the Registrar wider powers to cancel the registration of any mutual benefit organisation. Finally, the Bill also seeks to introduce a new subsection under section 45 to enable the Minister to exempt any organisation, person or class of persons, from any or all of the provisions of the Act. The purpose of this new subsection is to allow some flexibility in administering the Act under special circumstances. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Chan Chee Sengl.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The purpose of this Bill is to introduce several amendments to the Mutual Benefit Organisations Act (Chapter 254 of the Revised Edition) which are found necessary in the light of experience gained in administering the Act. The proposed amendments seek to strengthen the hands of the Registrar in administering the Mutual Benefit Organisations Act which provides for the registration and control of all mutual benefit organisations in the Republic. At present, there are 427 such organisations with a total membership of 191,367. Many of the long established organisations have accumulated large surplus funds over the years. As the majority of the members of mutual benefit organisations are from the lower-income group and often illiterate, there must be adequate legislation to ensure that these mutual benefit organisations are properly managed and their activities consistent with the objectives of their organisations for the welfare and benefit of the subscribers. It is, therefore, necessary that the interests of the members be safeguarded by appropriate law against exploitation by unscrupulous persons. Experience over the years has shown that the existing provisions in the Mutual Benefit Organisations Act relating to registration and cancellation of mutual benefit organisations are inadequate and restrictive. There is no provision at present empowering the Registrar to refuse registration of newly formed organisations if he has reason to believe that such organisations have been formed for the personal gain of the organisers. Nor has the Registrar the power to prevent mutual benefit organisations from being managed by persons of dubious character or used for any purpose contrary to the public interest.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Member for Jalan Kayu has made a constructive suggestion and I would like to thank him for the compliments he has given to the Counselling and Advice Section of the Social Welfare Department. The Social Welfare Department is looking into the possibility of setting up branches not only to give counsel and advice but also to render other aspects of social welfare service so as to make social welfare services more readily accessible to people staying in different parts of Singapore. Whether or not it is possible to decentralise social welfare services will depend on the availability of funds, premises and trained personnel.”
“Sir, if the Singapore Council of Social Services were to be the only parent body in charge of all the voluntary organisations, then it is all right to include it on the committee to review aid to voluntary organisations. But there are many other organisations which do not come within the scope of the Singapore Council of Social Services. If we include the Council on the committee, then, firstly, it is very difficult for the Council to face its members if the members do not get any aid. Secondly, it is also not easy for the Council to explain its position because of the other organisations which do not come under its scope. 7.00 p.m.”
“Sir, regarding the question of pocket money for the inmates of our homes, I have explained earlier that the majority of the inmates in the homes are paying cases, financially supported by their relatives. The remaining cases as clarified earlier are being looked after by the department under its public assistance scheme, and they are paid whatever allowance that they are eligible for, each case depending on its own merit. It must be appreciated that the Poh Thong Sec Buddhist Old People's Home is a private home run on a commercial basis, and it is not the general practice of the Government to give pocket money to the inmates of such private homes of which there are several in Singapore. The Member for Kim Seng has asked about the inclusion of the Singapore Council of Social Services in the committee for revision of grants for all the voluntary organisations. I would like to make this clear - the Singapore Council of Social Services is, in fact, a recipient of the grant. So it is quite unwise to put the Singapore Council of Social Services on the committee.”