Chua Sian Chin
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to speak on this Bill as a person who had been in Government for many years and before that in legal practice for more than eight years and now back in legal practice. While I was in Government, I had cognizance of the shortcomings of the legal profession.”
“It is 62 members out of a total of 1,335 practising lawyers. This has brought about a situation which no responsible government can let it pass in the public interest. The Government has good reasons to deal with this situation firmly. In fact, the present amendments have only made a small inroad in self-regulation.”
“At the same time, a minority group of activists has also chosen to take on the Government by calling an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Law Society to pass fierce resolutions against the Government. This group comprised only 62 members.”
“Though he has only limited Constitutional powers and acts on the advice of the Cabinet, he is the symbol of the unity, loyalty and aspirations of the people of Singapore.”
“- to hold classes for children of his constituents. What right has he got? The PAP MPs equally have no such rights. It is the right of the Government, if they think so, to have such classes. In fact, through the People's Association, they have been holding kindergarten classes in the community centres.”
“It is the Government who says that, and the Government has the right to say it because they are responsible for the Government of Singapore. And it is not what I say or what you say. Let me turn to the Member for Potong Pasir. He also produced some exhibits which are equally bogus.”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, that is another point, it is actually debatable whether the Traffic policemen should stand in front of the traffic sign or behind it. As I said, the Points Demerit System is such that we must operate it in such a way as to remove those hazardous drivers who are a danger and a menace to other road users. Whether the policemen carry out their duty in front or behind trees is a matter for the professionals to decide. I will not direct them on this. The policy is that they should not summon just for the sake of summoning. They should try to put all their efforts in accordance with the Selective Enforcement Policy. In other words, to remove hazardous and dangerous drivers from the road, and as far as minor traffic infringements are concerned, they should exercise their discretion.”
“Sir, I am quite surprised that the person concerned pleaded guilty. If he is not guilty, he should not have pleaded guilty. The Traffic Police cannot force him to plead guilty, and if he feels that the fine of S600 is too heavy because this is his first offence he can always appeal. The sentence is at the discretion of the magistrate. The other point is about revenue. The Annual Report for 1973 just happened to include it. I have made it quite clear that it is no criterion to effectiveness. The criterion is: how many accidents have been averted? How many deaths have been avoided? How many cases of injury resulting from road accidents have been reduced? That is the criterion and I state this quite categorically.”
“As far as the sentence is concerned - a fine of $600 as compared to a lighter sentence for a case of molesting, that is a matter which is not within the province of the Ministry of Home Affairs. That is left to the assessment of the magistrate. As you know, it is his judgment alone which determines the degree of the sentence. If the person who is sentenced is not happy, he can appeal. This is what is known as an independent judiciary. That has got nothing to do with the Traffic Police. But as far as the Traffic Police is concerned, in cases where there is a blatant violation of traffic laws which would invariably lead to an accident if not prevented, they would want heavier and heavier sentences to be imposed.”
“The rationale behind this policy is that it is not possible to enforce the law in every single traffic violation, and since there is a relationship between hazardous traffic violations and traffic accidents, the Traffic Police concentrate their enforcement efforts on serious traffic offences which contribute to traffic accidents. This Selective Enforcement Policy is now paying dividends. The number of traffic accident fatalities dropped from 390 in 1972 to 380 in 1973. In 1974, 288 persons were killed in traffic accidents, representing a reduction of 24.2%. May I repeat that it is not true that the Traffic Police have a quota of summonses to issue per day in order to boost the revenue of the Government. The assessment of the performance of the police officer is based on the nature of the cases reported and not on the quantity. We also realise that to many black sheep motorists, particularly those who can afford to pay fines, the ultimate answer is not to impose fines on them again and again. That is why we have introduced the Points Demerit System in which an accumulation of 12 points for serious traffic violations will cause the offender's licence to be suspended. It is quite clear that we introduce this system not with the object of collecting more money, but because we could then justify a suspension of licence. With regard to the case which the Member brought up about the Police not allowing a traffic offender to go home to collect money for a fine, I am surprised he has not brought this to my attention earlier because this case needs some investigation. I do not know why this has not been done.”
“With regard to traffic lights, they are synchronised to facilitate the flow of traffic. To date, 26 roads have such a synchronised system. As far as the amber light is concerned, the amber-phase of a traffic light system is timed according to the intensity of the vehicular traffic going through the road intersections. Normally the duration is three seconds. The Member for Anson gave an example. He wants all lights to be green at the same time so that there is a smooth flow of traffic. I agree with him on this point, but at the same time if all lights are green there must be a time when all lights are red. You cannot have one without having the other also. 4.15 p.m. The point made by the Member for River Valley is that the Traffic Police Division is, he fears, a revenue-collecting organisation. I can assure him that it is not a revenue-collecting organisation. Its function is to enforce traffic laws so that accidents will be reduced to the minimum. Traffic Police personnel are constantly reminded to enforce traffic laws in accordance with the spirit rather than the letter of the law. In fact, they have been told that their work is assessed on the nature of the cases reported and not on the quantity. Let me state this quite categorically. It is a misconception to say that the Traffic Police have been told to come back with so many summonses a day. This is not true. It is the quality of the cases they detect rather than the quantity. Let me be very categorical about this. That is why the Traffic Police have adopted what they term as the Selective Enforcement Policy.”
“The shortage of Police manpower is experienced not only in Singapore but also in other Police Forces the world over. However, this is not something which criminals can find comfort in, as suggested by some Members, because the Police make up this shortfall by greater utilisation of national servicemen, like the CSF and so on, more civilianisation and the use of policewomen to relieve male junior officers for crime detection and prevention work. More mechanisation has also been adopted with team policing. As far as investigation and detection is concerned, we have also reorganised the Criminal Investigation Department. We have built up a Criminal Intelligence Unit and we are going to build up a Scene of Crime Unit, and this is expected to increase the effectiveness of the Police Force further. So far, in spite of what we read in the newspapers, the rate of crime detection is quite high. As far as full-time national servicemen are concerned, the details are being worked out and they will be announced in due course. With regard to the mobile squad, as far as its strength is concerned, it is not as bad as the Police Force as a whole. But its shortage will be looked into by he Manpower Committee, as I have said before. One of the primary functions of the mobile squad is to control and regulate traffic. The volume of traffic is heaviest during peak hours. Therefore, more mobile squad personnel are utilised during these periods than off-peak hours. The Member for Anson mentioned about using national servicemen to do mobile patrol squad duty. We have a small mobile patrolmen squad comprising 37 national servicemen. They perform eight hours of duty every 19 days on motorcycles provided by the Special Constabulary.”
“The Member also said that routine patrolling is not good enough for crime prevention because the criminals are intelligent enough to know when the Police is coming and therefore could avoid them. Surely the Member can credit the Police with some intelligence and commonsense not to have too routine a policing. In other words, everyday they deploy their patrolling at different intervals, i.e, not necessarily at the same time every day. The point about CSF on policing duty between the hours of 7 p.m, and 11 p.m, every night- that cannot be helped because they are also working in the day and are only free during these hours. We have also organised some Vigilante Corps members who work on night shifts to patrol during the day time as well. Let me turn to the Member for Anson. I agree with him that almost all the police stations are old and due for renovation. I have said that all the police stations, except Queenstown Police Station, were built before the Second World War. As far as the Central Police Station is concerned, it is due for demolition under urban renewal. II is planned to house the Central Police Station at the present Police Headquarters building at Pearl's Hill, when the proposed Ministry of Home Affairs and Police Complex at Mount Pleasant is developed. I have also mentioned that four divisional police stations will be built in the course of the fiscal year. One is at Toa Payoh. The second station is the Orchard Road Police Station at Napier Road near the Gleneagles Hospital. The third is the Paya Lebar Police Station at Upper Paya Lebar Road junction, and the fourth is the Jurong Town Police Station. About the shortage of Police manpower, may I say this.”
“The team provides a 24-hour coverage of crime-prone and specially selected areas, which are divided into sectors determined by geographical location, crime rate, population density and security sensitivity. Members of the team also perform foot patrols. They do not only sit in cars. They are also equipped with walkie-talkies in order to achieve maximum coverage and to develop close rapport with the public. When they need to act as a team, they can easily assemble together because of the walkie-talkie communication with each other. To prove that it is an effective method of crime prevention, it has been tested in "A" and "E" Divisions. The results confirmed that it is a better system. It has shown that the rate of preventable crimes, such as robberies and burglaries, has decreased by approximately 30% in both Divisions. Therefore, we shall implement team policing in the remaining six Divisions by October 1975. The Member said that we do not regard house-breaking and robberies in Housing Board estates with any seriousness. That is not true. We do. In fact, in addition to the proposed team policing we have already instituted vertical policing of the Housing Board estates. In other words, the policemen do not only police round the block but they also go up and down the staircase and the lift as well. To have a Police presence, priority for Housing Board flats is given to Police officers, but not every Police officer will be staying in the same block of flats. That is no good. The scheme i5 to slot, say, two Police officers in one block of fiats, so that there is some form of a Police presence in every block of flats. That is being done now.”
“Sir, as my memory is fresh, I would first reply to the Member for Bukit Panjang about policing the Housing and Development Board estates. He seems to give the impression that he is quite an expert on the crime situation in the Housing Board estates. He is quite vehement about setting up crime detection and prevention posts in Housing Board estates. May I remind him that I am as much concerned with crime in the Housing Board estates as he is. I may remind him that I am the Member for MacPherson, a constituency which consists wholly of Housing Board flats. Perhaps the Member for Bukit Panjang is suggesting this to prepare for the Housing Board flats that are going up in Woodlands. As far as the proposal to establish a police post in every Housing Board estate to prevent crime is concerned, I have stated earlier that it is not a feasible proposition. Without the support of the Headquarters Division, such police posts cannot respond effectively. They can only respond to reports of petty crimes within their immediate vicinity. This is an uneconomic use of manpower. Therefore, the answer is mobile patrol by policemen, who will provide a quicker and more effective response to crime reports. The Police will also be able to deploy its limited manpower over a wider area by increased mobility, that is to say, to adopt team policing. May I explain to the Member what is meant by team policing? Team policing is not just going into a patrol car and take a drive round. That is not the case. Team policing entails a deployment of a four-man patrol team utilising a saloon car equipped with a portable two-way radio for communication with each team member and their headquarters station.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sorry I have forgotten to answer these questions. With regard to the Special Constables, that situation might have occurred in the past. But attempts have now been made to make part-time duties in the Police Force as interesting as possible and to utilise their higher education, which some of them have, to advantage. For example, instead of detailing some dental surgeons, who are part-time national servicemen, to do pure Police work which the Member for Jurong referred to as watchdog duties, they have been organised to render dental service. In fact, they are giving dental service to families of the Police Force and the Special Constables. We are now trying to utilise their talents as much as possible. The difficulty is that since they are part-time national servicemen they are on duty for only three hours every ten days. Anyway, every attempt is being made to ensure that national service in the Special Constabulary is as interesting as possible. In fact, I am told that their morale has risen compared to what it was before because of the new attempts to make their service more interesting. With regard to cooperation between the Police and the public, of course, it is a two-way affair. It cannot be one-sided. As I said, the officers in charge of the various Police Divisions have been told to work closely with Members of Parliament and members of the Citizens' Consultative Committees. Maybe there has been such cooperation in some Police Divisions but not in others. But as we carry on with our campaigns to promote Police/public relationship, a good working relationship will be fostered in all the Police Divisions. It cannot be just a one-sided affair. It has to depend on both sides.”
“The existing Rural West Divisional Headquarters stationed at Bukit Panjang is not strategically situated to cater for the needs of Jurong Town. It is, therefore, planned to build a headquarters station in Jurong Town. The Senior Architect of the Public Works Department is now making a feasibility study of building the station on a two-acre site opposite the T-junction of Corporation Road and the proposed extended arm of Boon Lay Drive. But, as an interim measure, the Police are planning to shift the operational headquarters from Bukit Panjang to Jurong Town as soon as possible. For this purpose, an application has been made to the Government's Building Committee for permission to rent part of the premises which belong to the Jurong Town Corporation. Mr Ho Kah Leong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Minister for answering my questions. However, he seems to have omitted two points. First, what measures are being taken by his department to increase the efficiency of the Police Force and raise the morale of the Special Constables because some highly qualified people in the Constabulary have been asked to do very common duties. The other point relates to Police Week. The Minister must not emphasise the need for the people to cooperate with the Police. It should be the other way round - the Police should cooperate with the people.”
“With regard to the allegation that the Gambling Suppression Branch takes action without first checking up, usually they do check their information. In the case mentioned it just so happened that the raid conducted did not reveal anything. I agree with the Member for Jurong that before raids are conducted they should be very careful in processing their information. But I think this is a professional matter. Therefore, the officer-in-charge should know best how reliable the information is. These officers have always been cautioned to be very careful about information received, just as information received about complaints against the Police Force have also to be cautiously investigated. Some complaints are substantiated, and some are not. Some human beings, as you know, are motivated by good motives while some are not. About police stations, something is also being done here. Most of our police stations were built before World War II. Some were built even before World War I. Besides the Queenstown Police Station, we have not had any new police station. It has been stated that four police stations will be built. I see the Member for Toa Payoh sitting there pretty satisfied, and I hope the Toa Payoh Police Station will come up soon. Tenders will be called before the end of the year. 3.30 p.m. With regard to Jurong, I agree with the Member for Jurong that the Police Force in Jurong Town is highly inadequate. At the time of planning the Police Posts it was never envisaged that Jurong would grow into a town of 80,000 or 100,000 people. Immediate action is now being taken to remedy that situation. Jurong Town is in the Rural West Police Division.”
“Where cases are referred to the Public Service Commission, there will be non-Police officers on the Board of Inquiry, and if there is a cover-up I am quite sure that those who sit on the Board should be able to find out. Why should there be in the Police Force an external body to investigate these complaints? What about the other departments? There is the Complaints Bureau and they also investigate complaints against police officers. With regard to manpower shortage, we are not throwing our arms up in despair. It is a problem, and it is not that nothing has been done. As I have stated just now in answer to the Member for Katong, a Manpower Committee has been formed to look into these problems and I am just as anxious that they come up with the answers. If these answers or recommendations are accepted - of course, other Ministries are also involved - we can then implement these recommendations to solve the problem. I have said that one of the terms of reference would be to review the effectiveness of the Lee Soo Ann recommendations. Maybe it could have been done last year but as you know, it takes some time to consider the effectiveness of the Lee Soo Ann recommendations. We have asked for a review, and it is fair to say that the Lee Soo Ann recommendations were implemented only two or three years ago. I think we have not lost time. Something has been done, and I assure the Members for Jalan Kayu and Jurong that before we meet again in the next Budget debate something would have been done as far as manpower shortage is concerned. In fact, the proposal to introduce full-time national service in the Police Force also means that something is being done. This in itself is the answer that it will partly solve the problem of manpower.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Jalan Kayu said that a stock answer has been given. Whatever the Member calls it, that is the answer because black sheep are always present in any organisation. If no action has been taken, then of course there is justification to complain. I have stated categorically that action against black sheep has been taken. It is not that action has not been taken. May I repeat for the information of the Member how many black sheep have been dismissed from the Police Force. It is not that I want to play the record again, but the point is that it seems the message has not been put across effectively. At the risk of being repetitious, may I again say what action has been taken against black sheep? In 1974, 35 officers comprising four Inspectors, one Station Inspector, four Sergeants and 26 Police Constables have been dismissed. Is that not action? Do we want to sack more? They should not be sacked until they have been given a fair hearing under a disciplinary board. It is not that action has not been taken. Action has been taken. On the allegation that police officers will protect their own kind, we should at least have some confidence in the majority of the Police Force personnel for their honesty and impartiality. I do not think it is fair to make a general allegation that police officers protect their own kind. May I say that justice and impartiality not only, in fact, exist in such cases but they have been seen to exist. May I repeat again that action has been taken to amend the Police Force Act in this House last year so that the Commissioner of Police can refer disciplinary cases against junior officers or inspectors to the Public Service Commission.”
“Sir, I do not think that the crime rate in Housing Board estates can be brought down just by having a police station in every housing estate. If we are to have a police station in every housing estate that would mean mobilising a lot of police manpower. This is a problem that we have given thought to very deeply. We cannot afford to pin down heavy manpower resources by building too many police stations. What we are doing now is to build Divisional Police Headquarters at strategic sites and from these Divisions we will be introducing team policing. Patrol cars will be doing a 24-hour patrol duty within that division and the patrol cars should also cover Housing and Development Board estates. It is better to have a mobile patrol moving around rather than be static in a place, because that would be tying down manpower. At the moment we are having team policing in two Police Divisions, that is Orchard Division and the Central Division. Since the introduction of team policing, figures have shown that the crime rate in these two Divisions has gone down by 30%. We now have plans to introduce team policing in the other six Police Divisions by October this year. I hope that the crime rate would go down accordingly in these other six Police Divisions.”
“It will take some time for them to establish a close working relationship, but I am informed that in a number of constituencies some happy relationship has already been forged for the common good in the fight against crime. Again I must say that it will take some time for it to develop, but a start has already been made. The Member for Sembawang wanted to know about the vacancies of inspectors. He is worried that there are not enough inspectors. As I say, our big concern is the junior ranks. Anyway, may I just give him some figures of inspectors. In 1974, 37 Police Inspectors were recruited against a total vacancy of 69. That is by direct recruitment, but it does not mean that these posts of Inspectors should be filled by direct recruitment. Usually half of them are filled by direct recruitment because some posts must be reserved for promotion of sergeants as well.”
“First of all, I would like to assure the Member for Punggol that the Police Force has no hesitation in weeding out the black sheep if the offences committed warrant dismissal. In 1974, 35 officers comprising four Inspectors, one Station Inspector, four Sergeants and 26 Police Constables were dismissed from the Force for corruption and serious breaches of discipline. With regard to the suggestion by the Member for Punggol that these cases should be dealt with impartially and fairly, may I draw the attention of hon. Members that sometime last year I had the Police Force Act amended in this Chamber. The amendment to the Police Force Act enables the Commissioner of Police to refer disciplinary cases against junior officers or inspectors to the Public Service Commission. This ensures impartial investigation against police officers. Prior to that, offences committed by those ranks of officers were dealt with by the Police Force itself. With regard to police/public relationship, the Police Weeks and the campaigns that have been held, the Member for Punggol asked me what was the effect of these campaigns. May 1 say that the results were quite encouraging because the attendances in all the campaigns, Open Houses and other programmes organised by the Police Force were good. But the fostering of good police/public relations will take some time to nurture, and cannot be achieved by only one campaign. Therefore, we will continue this campaign of fostering good relations between the public and the Police Force. In the campaign which was held recently, special instructions were given to the officer-in-charge of the various Land Divisions to foster closer working relationship between him and the MP of his Division, as well as the Chairman of the Citizens' Consultative Committees.”
“With regard to the operational date of the full-time national servicemen scheme, it will operate as soon as possible because facilities are now being prepared in our training school to take in the first batch of full-time national servicemen in the police force. They will be given 12 weeks, or three months' training, before they are given police duties. Sir, may I now turn to the Member for Sembawang who complained about discourtesy and arrogance on the part of the police force and also the complaint of the Member for Punggol on the abuse of power and brutality? In 1974, a total of 65 complaints were received from the public against police officers for rudeness, discourtesy and abuse of power. Four of the complaints are still under investigation. Of the remaining 61 complaints, only 10 cases were substantiated. These 10 were cases of minor infringements and the officers concerned were reprimanded. Our experience has been that most of the complaints were unfounded and a number were malicious or exaggerated. But I would like to reassure hon. Members that every complaint received, whether from a Member of Parliament or from any member of the public against any members of the police force, is fully investigated and if the complaint is substantiated action is taken against the offender, whether the complaint is against discourtesy, arrogance, abuse of power or brutality. I have often repeated this and I shall repeat again that abuse of power and brutality in the police force will not be tolerated. However, in a large organisation as the Police Force - this was also stated by the Member for Punggol -there will always be a few black sheep to mar its name. 3.00 p.m. With regard to action against the black sheep, may I just give a few figures.”
“The terms of reference for this committee are: (1) to consider the requirements of the police force for junior officers in relation to the crime rate, population growth and changing political, economic and social conditions of Singapore; (2) to recommend ways in which the manpower requirements of the police force can be met having regard to the general labour shortage in Singapore; (3) to recommend measures which will alleviate the manpower problem and contribute to greater efficiency of the police force, such as rationalisation and civilianisation of certain police duties, mechanisation and computerisation, and greater use of women police officers; and (4) having regard to (1), (2), and (3) aforementioned, to examine whether present terms and conditions of service for junior officers are adequate to attract and retain officers of the right quality. This fourth term of reference will mean reviewing the effectiveness of the Lee Soo Ann Committee's recommendations. Sir, I now turn to the question of enlisting full-time national servicemen to meet the problem of manpower shortage in the police force. I say straightaway that this will only meet the shortage to some extent, and we hope the committee will find the full answer to the manpower shortage as a whole. As regards the full-time national servicemen in the police force, our view is that this will only solve part of the problem because full-time national servicemen will be doing full-time police duties for only two years. After that, they go into the reserve service. I do not want to go into details as to how they will be used because the details are now being worked out.”
“Sir, may I deal first with the clarification asked for by the Member for Katong with regard to the problem of manpower in the police force. This point has also been raised by the Members for Sembawang and Punggol. We in the Minister of Home Affairs view this problem manpower in the police force very seriously because there is a serious shortage of manpower among junior officers, to the tune of about 15%. As at 1st March, 1975, there were 4,406 police constables and women constables against an authorised establishment of 5,107. Of course, the manpower problem is not a problem peculiar to the police force alone. The manpower problem has been created as a result of our sustained economic growth in the last decade resulting in a tight labour market in Singapore. Therefore, as far as the Ministry of Home Affairs is concerned, We looking at this problem, we feel that the logical means of overcoming this manpower shortage is to develop new work methods which will utilise the limited manpower available to the police more efficiently. Therefore, a committee to review the manpower problem in the police force was appointed in January this year. The committee is headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police and consists of members which include one school principal, a representative from the Public Service Commission, a representative from the Ministry of Finance and, of course, a representative from the Ministry of Home Affairs.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, whether a doctor can s 80 or 100 patients a day is, in fact, professional matter. Of course, common sense tells us that not every case is same. Some cases take a longer time while others do not. On the average a professional doctor has been able attend 80 to 100 cases a day, and the average has been maintained for number of years. If a case can be diagnosed within a short time, I do not think a longer examination would reveal anything more than what was already done in the shorter period of time. The professional doctors tell me that their workload is reasonable; and that is that, unless the Member can give examples to show in what way the workload is too heavy for the doctors.”
“This is yet another instance in which the Member has not submitted a specific complaint so that an investigation could be made. May I say that proper medicine is prescribed at the outpatient dispensaries. The Member has quoted the case of a girl who had to go to a private practitioner because she could not get a medical certificate or treatment in the outpatient dispensary. Again it is only proper that the details of this matter should be given to me. But may Is say this in general? Medical certificates a the not issued on demand but on the condition of the patients. If there is no justification in giving medical leave, a medical certificate will not be issued.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, may I take the first point about the appointment system. With regard to appointments, both the doctor and patient should keep to their time of appointment. Unfortunately, in practice, there have been a number of instances where the times allotted could not be strictly adhered to. This is because consultations with some patients may take a longer time than usual. There are also instances where because of the number of emergency cases which the doctors have to attend to, it is not possible for them to keep their appointments at the scheduled times. Nevertheless, studies are now being made to computerise and to assign more staff to the various outpatient clinics in order to reduce inconvenience of waiting. With regard to the Member's allegation that doctors at outpatient dispensaries are overtaxed, may I say that the average number of patients seen by a doctor at the outpatient dispensary is between 80 and 100 a day. This average has not changed over the years. It is accepted that attention to individual patients could be improved if the doctor had fewer patients to see. Each doctor has his own duty and will be well occupied in his own way, since he is a professional man who looks after the patient in his own way. The present workload of 80 to 100 patients a day cannot be said to be unreasonable. Of course, there are occasions when, as in outbreaks of flu, epidemics, etc., the workload of the doctors at the outpatient dispensaries can be considered to be very heavy, as expected. But in normal times it cannot be said that their workload is heavy. As regards the allegation that amahs have been asked to do simple nursing duties, this is not permitted at all.”
“For the information of the Member, I do make visits without announcing in advance.”
“Sir, if the particulars are given to me, I shall get the other version. Usually before transfers are made, the next-of-kin would be informed. A transfer of a patient cannot be made without informing the next-of-kin. Of course, it depends on whose name was given on admission as the next-of-kin. Unless the next-of-kin's name is given, the hospital would not be in a position to inform. With regard to records, there are records kept of transfers. Anyway, I am in no position to go into the details of this case at the moment. If the Member would write in, I am sure he will be given a satisfactory answer. If anyone is found guilty of negligence of official duty, then disciplinary action will be taken against him. With regard to tile matter about bad treatment of third class patients in the Kandang Kerbau Hospital, I think a general allegation is not helpful. If there are particular cases where nurses are rude or patients are neglected, if details are given then they will be investigated. In fact, any complaint, not necessarily from Members of Parliament only but also from members of the public, is seriously looked into and investigated.”
“Any staff in the Emergency Unit found asleep on duty will have to face disciplinary action. I am also surprised that the Member has not thought it fit to write a complaint to me so that the matter can be investigated and action taken if there is negligence of duty. The other complaint is about patients who after treatment in the Emergency Unit had to go back the next day to get the medicine. Let me tell the Member for Anson that after any treatment given at the Emergency Unit, the patient will get the medicine straightaway because medicine is stocked in the Emergency Unit itself. As regards the allegation of wrong medicine being given to the patient, and allergy developed as a result, I say again that this is a very serious allegation. May I invite the Member to give me the particulars of the case so that an investigation can be carried out and action taken against the particular staff. Regarding the complaint about a husband having been warded in one hospital and later transferred to another hospital and the wife on a visit to the husband was told that he had been discharged and had gone home. On the way back she met her mother-in-law who was not aware of the patient's discharge and transfer to another hospital. First of all I do not know about the case. If details were given to me I would have investigated the case: to find out who was at fault. There may be many explanations as to how it all happened. Usually before a transfer is made, the next-of-kin will be informed. In this particular case I do not know whose name was given when the patient was admitted, the mother-in-law's name or the wife's name. So if it was the mother-in-law's name, then the mother-in-law would have been informed and she would have known about it.”
“This is one of the reasons for the building of a new Singapore General Hospital which will eventually replace the present Outram Road General Hospital. The Member for Anson is also worried about the designing of the proposed Singapore General Hospital. I can assure him that this new General Hospital is very carefully planned for maximum efficiency as well as for the convenience of patients and those who work in it. We have had the benefit of the expertise of international consultants as well as experienced medical administrators and Heads of Unit in the planning and designing of this Hospital. We have a Hospital Planning Committee working on it, and I personally chair a steering committee which oversees the development of this new Hospital. The Member for Anson raised a complaint about someone who had a dislocation and in attending the Emergency Unit of the General Hospital he had to walk all the way to the Orthopaedic Unit for an X-ray. I do not think this is true because the Emergency Unit itself has an X-ray machine, and therefore there is no necessity for an X-ray to be taken in the Orthopaedic Unit. An X-ray can be taken and is being taken hi the Emergency Unit itself. With regard to charges for school children who attend outpatient dispensaries, the answer is that school children who attend outpatient clinics are required to pay a nominal charge of 50 cents per attendance. However, school children who are referred to the Institute of Health for subsequent follow-up examination arising out of screening in schools do not have to pay any charges. That is a different matter. Regarding the allegation of staff found asleep on duty at the Emergency Unit of Alexandra Hospital and had to be awakened to attend to cases, I say that this is a very serious matter.”
“I have answered this question in my reply to the Member for Bras Basah last week . I stated quite clearly that positive Steps have been taken to attract as well s to retain more doctors in the service. May I say that there has been no exodus of doctors, as stated by the Member for Anson and predicted by the Member for Kim Seng last year. As far as nurses are concerned, they too have benefited from the implementation of the National Wages Council's recommendations. Their working conditions have also improved by shorter night duties. They now do three night shifts at a stretch instead of seven hitherto. Regarding the zoning of hospitals which has been introduced recently, the Member complained about lack of publicity. Publicity was given prior to the implementation of the zoning of hospitals. Information for the public was given through the radio, television, press releases and press conferences. General practitioners were also informed separately by circulars and hospital staff were briefed. But, of course, whenever a new system is introduced there is bound to be teething problems. It is too early to say how successful this zoning will be. But it is important that zoning is implemented, otherwise the position will arise where certain hospitals are over-utilised and others under-utilised. Turning to the complaint of the Member for Anson about patients having to walk long distances, thus causing inconvenience, and also matters relating to the running of the hospital, I agree with him that the present layout of the Outram Road General Hospital leaves much to be desired. Members may know that this Hospital was built more than half a century ago and over the years other buildings were added on without any systematic planning.”
“Sir, may I answer the Member for Anson point by point? Firstly, with regard to the raising of medical charges. As stated in the Addendum to the Presidential Address, increases in medical charges have become necessary because of the escalating costs. Costs have increased from 5% in 1952 to 25% in 1974. This will continue to escalate as prices of medicine, equipment, staff, follow inflationary trends. However, the increase in charges will remain nominal. For example, C class patients are now charged $3 a day for food, medical care and stay in hospital. But the actual cost per day of maintaining a patient is more than $40. Therefore, even if the charges are increased to $4 or $5 per day, it is still nominal. Increases in cost must be by taxpayers. It is only fair, therefore, that those who use the services should bear part of the cost in the form nominal fees. This is consistent oft repeated policy that in Singapore is for free. This prevent wastage. 5.30 p.m On the question of patients resorting may I say this. In considering any increase fees, the Government is concerned as the Member for Anson its effects on the lower in-up. In fact, if a patient cannot pay even the nominal fee there on for the fee to be waived, as been done all along. Therefore, there is no reason for any person to quacks because of the increase medical charges. Attendance has, in fact, continued to increase at all our institutions and outpatient Turning to the question of loss of medical staff, the Member for Anson said it as due to staff being overworked, and so on. He also said that it is a stale subject as it is often repeated from year to year. I agree with him that it is a tale subject. To me it sounds like playing an old gramophone record again.”
“Sir, we do not take such an attitude. The point is that we try our best to retain our doctors. Once the doctors have made up their mind to resign, they will of course resign because they must have made other arrangements. But we do try to find out what are the reasons behind their resignations and see if there is anything possible we can do to prevent them from resigning. We have tried. But, as I have said in my reply, one of the reasons which induce young doctors to resign is their difficulty in finding suitable accommodation because of higher rentals. That is the reason why my Ministry has planned to build three 28-storey blocks of five-room apartments as quarters for Government doctors. The Member for Bras Basah should not be under the impression that the Ministry's attitude is that they should resign if they want to. The point is that if they insist on resigning, there is very little we can do about it. But everything has been done to encourage them to remain in service. MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1975 TO 31ST MARCH, 1976 Order read for resumed consideration in Committee of Supply [2nd Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 2.40 p.m. Head O -”
“My Ministry has therefore planned to build three 28-storey blocks comprising a total of 264 five-room apartment units as quarters for Government doctors. These three blocks will be part of the development of the Singapore General Hospital at Outram Road. Meanwhile, my Ministry is negotiating an offer by the Port of Singapore Authority to let out or sell to our doctors apartments being built at Spottiswoode Park. Preferential condition for housing is a better way of attracting and retaining doctors in the service than an outright increase in salary. Mr Ho See Beng (Bras Basah)(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, when the doctors tendered their resignations, did the Personnel officer in the Ministry of Health try to persuade them to stay and so retain these doctors? Or did the officer just say, "If you want to resign, you can resign. There are others, who want to join the service." I would like to know if there were such instances.”
“They are: 1. Accelerated Promotion Opportunities Promotions have now been made on merit. They are no longer limited to the number of higher posts available in the establishment. Promotion exercises have been held twice a year. 2. More Training Awards And Fellowships. Under a Medical Traineeship Scheme young doctors who want to become specialists can apply and be selected as trainee designates. They are given guidance and facilities to acquire higher qualifications from our School of Postgraduate Studies. At present there are 62 trainee designates under the Scheme. A selection exercise is now being conducted for another batch of more than 50 candidates. Awards and fellowship for courses of study as well as for practical training abroad have been given liberally. At present there are 14 Government doctors studying abroad for specialist qualifications. Another 18 have been selected to go abroad on scholarship. 3. Revision of Specialist Allowance. Specialist allowance payable to doctors with higher qualifications has been improved since 1969. The allowance ranges from $100 to $1,000 per month according to the grade of the officer. This specialist allowance is not payable to other professional officers in the Civil Service. Doctors without higher qualifications also have had increases in remuneration by revisions of salary, National Wages Council Awards and 13th month payments. For example, a medical officer after the second year of service will now receive an all-in salary of $1,588.50 per month, compared to $1,200 in 1972. However, my Ministry is very much aware of the difficulties young Government doctors have in finding suitable accommodation.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, between 1st January, 1974, and 28th February, 1975, 98 doctors resigned from the service. Eighty-three resigned in 1974 and 15 in the first two months of 1975. I am not aware of any further resignations in the offing. In the last two years most resignations of doctors took place at the beginning of the year, that is, after they have received their 13th month payment in December. Of the 98 doctors who resigned, 69 were without higher qualifications, 26 possessed higher qualifications and two were consultants. Out of the 83 doctors who resigned in 1974, 57 or 73% were young doctors with less than four years' service. Eight were experienced doctors with more than ten years' service. However, in 1974 and the first two months of 1975, 129 doctors including 17 with higher qualifications joined the service. There was, therefore, a net gain of 31 doctors. Doctors of consultant rank in service in 1974 were 80, compared to 65 in 1973, and 48 in 1970. There were 91 Senior Registrars in 1974, compared to 40 in 1970. There were 60 medical officers with higher qualifications in 1974, compared to 36 in 1970. The quality of the medical services has not suffered. In fact, there have been more consultants, and doctors with higher qualifications in service and with better facilities and equipment. There are now about 100 vacancies in the establishment for doctors. However, at any time about 40 National Service doctors are working in the hospitals. The problem is to recruit more young doctors to lessen the workload on the existing staff because of the vacancies, as well as to man our expanding medical services. There is also the problem of retaining them in the service and reducing the turnover of doctors. A number of positive steps have been taken to meet the problem.”
“In view of these changes the manpower requirements for the entire Traffice Division is being re-examined. My Ministry has set up a Manpower Review Committee to reassess the manpower situation for the whole Police Force. It is premature to say whether the strength of the Mobile Squad would be increased. STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE 4. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Finance what portions of the sums voted for the Staff Training Institute in respect of manpower for Financial Years 73 and 74 were spent, and what were the items in respect of which expenditure was not incurred in each of these Financial Years 73 and 74.”
“On 1st March, 1975, the Mobile Squad including women had 166 officers against 184 posts, i.e. 18 vacancies, representing 10% of the total number of posts. For the whole Police Force the corresponding vacancy rate is 15%. The Mobile Squad is relatively better staffed. The Registrar of Vehicles Department has also its own Mobile Squad for enforcement work. On 1st March, 1975, the ROV Mobile Squad had 42 officers. At the same time better work methods have been introduced. In October 1974 a radio communications system was introduced. Through this system Mobile Squad patrolmen can maintain radio contact with their Headquarters. This in turn enables the Headquarters to deploy Mobile Squad patrolmen promptly to deal with traffic situations. Further, two new pursuit cars have been added to the existing fleet. On 1st March, 1975, the Ticketing System and Points Demerit System were introducted. Under the Ticketing System a Mobile Squad Officer can issue a traffic ticket, which has the effect of a court summons, to an offending motorist on the spot for a compoundable traffic offence for which only the driver is liable. This has cut down time which a Mobile Squad Officer had to spend previously in reporting a traffic offender. The Road Traffic Act has also been amended to enable the Police to tender in court, as prima facie evidence, a certificate signed by a competent police officer certifying the accuracy and reliability of policy equipment used in speeding cases. Hence, there is no need for the whole team of seven squad officers to testify in court in speeding cases. The Points Demerit System is aimed at identifying and removing dangerous drivers from the road. This System should make motorists drive more carefully.”
“It is further proposed that this amendment be effected by adding a section 28A to the Police Force Act. Section 28 of the Police Force Act empowers the President to dismiss or retire an Inspector. This is inconsistent with the provisions in the Singapore Constitution (Amendment) Act, 1970, and with the terms of delegation of powers by the Public Service Commission to the Commissioner. Therefore, it is necessary to amend section 28 of the Police Force Act to empower the Commissioner of Police to dismiss, retire, reduce in rank or mete out other punishment to an Inspector who is found guilty of an offence specified in section 27 (1) of the Act. Any Inspector who is aggrieved by the decision of the Commissioner may apply to the Public Service Commission to have the decision reviewed. 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 Chuo Sian Chin]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. RECLAMATION AT PULAU AYER MERBAU 6.38 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." There are two authorities which exercise disciplinary control over Police Officers. They are the Public Service Commission and the Commissioner of Police. The Singapore Constitution (Amendment) Act, 1970, empowers the Public Service Commission to exercise disciplinary control over Senior Officers down to and including those of the rank of Inspector. In practice, the Public Service Commission has delegated the power of disciplinary control over Inspectors to the Commissioner of Police. Under the Police Force Act (Chapter 78) the Commissioner of Police is vested with disciplinary powers over all Junior Officers. Disciplinary proceedings against Inspectors and Junior Officers are dealt with by the Police Disciplinary Boards formed under the Police Force Act and its Regulations. These Police Disciplinary Boards are made up entirely of Police Officers and this enables the Commissioner of Police to deal with ordinary breaches of discipline expeditiously. However, for some cases of breaches of discipline such as those involving allegations of corrupt practices it is important that the Disciplinary Board formed to deal with them is not only in fact impartial, but also seen in the eyes of the public to be so. Thus to deal with such cases the Police Disciplinary Boards consisting entirely of Police Officers are not the best arrangement. It is therefore proposed that the Police Force Act be amended to enable the Commissioner of Police, if he thinks fit, to refer any disciplinary case involving an Inspector or a Junior Officer to the Public Service Commission to be dealt with in accordance with disciplinary regulations for public officers.”
“Under the Bill, the procedures are accordingly simplified considerably by removing all the unnecessary strictures. These are: - (1) Abolition of the Eugenics Board which, in the existing law, authorises all applications for sterilizations. Decision for sterilization will now be made between the patient and the registered medical practitioner; (2) Removing the restrictions requiring the persons to have at least two children before sterilization can be done; and (3) Not requiring consent of the spouse for sterilization. However, consent of a parent or guardian will be required by those persons who are unmarried and are under 21 years of age. 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 Chua Sian Chin]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.. POLICE FORCE (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 6.30 p.m.”
“As it turned out these advantages spoke for themselves and a large segment of our married women have now been voluntarily sterilised. In fact, a sample survey of our married women has shown that more than 42 per cent of them know about sterilization and will accept it when they have completed their families. This being the case, we have a duty to make this form of contraception freely available to those who have given sober thought to this as a means of family planning and who have considered it as the method which they will adopt. However, from our experience we know that many of them would not be prepared to do so if there are too many restrictions on their applications. We know for instance that the need to apply to a Board or panel of persons is repugnant as it interposes a third party in a matter which is essentially of a very private and personal nature. The delays which have been imposed, that is, seven days under the existing Act together with all the waiting time in processing the applications before sterilizations can be done, are also unacceptable to many. In fact, a sizable number, approximately 25 per cent, did not undergo sterilizations after the Board had approved them. Sterilization under the Bill, as is proposed in the case of abortions, will be entirely a private matter between the person applying for it and the registered medical practitioner. It will be undertaken entirely on the volition of the person wanting it. A valid consent will be given by the person if he is an adult. It will not require the further consent of the spouse as is provided in the existing law. Consent is only required in the case of the person who is below the age of discretion, that is, under 21 years of age and if he or she is unmarried.”
“Its role in preventing births is, if the trends continue, going to be a more significant and an increasing one. This is as it should be. It rids the parents once and for all, the inconvenience of having to use contraceptives, and freeing them permanently from the tyranny of unwanted pregnancies. We have come some way along the path on family planning and the control of population. We have passed two important milestones. The first was when we adopted, as a national programme, measures for family planning when the Act on Family Planning was passed by Parliament in 1965. The next milestone was when the laws on abortions and voluntary sterilization were liberalised in 1970. At the time when we passed these historic pieces of legislation there was expressed concern whether we were not too advanced of our times. Sometimes as a Government we should be in advance of the times. If we think it is right and have thought through these problems and carefully weighed the pros and cons, we should give the lead. As events turned out we need not have been too concerned. We were not too far ahead of our people. They have accepted family planning and taken to voluntary sterilizations in a way quite beyond our fondest hopes and expectations. We had offered the full range of methods of contraception, from the reversible to the irreversible which is sterilization. We knew that sterilization would be the preferable procedure where the person had completed her family. A person was freed from the inconvenience of adopting the inconvenient measures of contraception. Sterilization was the method advocated by the family planners and by doctors as the best and preferred measure in such cases.”
“Only 22 per cent of females sterilized on socio-economic applications had two or less children in 1970. But the figure increased to 35 per cent in 1971, 48 per cent in 1972 and 81 per cent in 1973. The increase in 1972 and particularly in 1973 reflected the effect of the amendment to the Act. In total nearly 11 per cent of all women aged 15 to 44 years have been voluntarily sterilized. The demographic impact of sterilization on such a large proportion of women in the fertile ages is of particular significance. It would of course be difficult to assess what would have been the re-productive behaviour of these sterilized group of persons if they had not been sterilized. Such an exercise is often conjectural and speculative. Nevertheless there are mathematical methods, no doubt presumptive, which can be applied in such cases. For purposes of comparison of demographic impacts of the various direct components of a fertility reproductivity programme a method has been used to compute the births averted by contraception. Using such methodology it has been estimated that the number of births averted by sterilization in females was as follows: - Births Averted by Sterilizations in Government Hospitals 1970 1971 1972 1973 Number 1,486 2,465 4,035 6,436 Percentage of all averted births 5.2 8.2 13.2 18.3 For comparison, using the same methods of estimation, the number of births averted by abortions and contraceptions is as follows:- Births Averted by National Family Planning Abortions No. % No. % 1970 15,648 54.6 1,733 6.1 1971 15,798 54.6 1,972 6.6 1972 16,046 52.3 1,912 6.2 1973 17,441 49.6 2,167 6.2 It is clear that irreversible contraception is now an accepted method of family planning. It is also an important method.”
“A total of 4,787 applications for sterilization on women were approved of which only about three-quarters were carried out. It would be noted that in the first or restrictive phase the numbers approved and performed were less than 70 per cent of total applications. After some of the restrictions had been removed by amendments, the numbers approved and performed went up to about 75 per cent. The fact that there are still sizable numbers who have been approved for sterilization but do not undergo the operation probably reflects the effects of the residual restrictions imposed by the existing law. Figures on the number of sterilizations undertaken for therapeutic reasons are also given. It is interesting to note that the proportion of female sterilization on therapeutic indications increased from 66.8 per cent of total female sterilization in 1970 but jumped to 90.1 per cent in 1973. This indicates that women will be prepared to be sterilized if it is more easily obtainable such as on therapeutic grounds, rather than having to go through the Eugenics Board. The age of sterilizations for those sterilized on socio-economic grounds has been decreasing since 1970. In 1970, 35 per cent of those sterilized were on APPENDIX II - CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE STERILIZATIONS 1970-1973 (Cols 1155-1156) APPENDIX II - RESULT OF APPLIATION FOR FEMALE STERILIZATION (Cols 1157-1158) females aged under 30. In 1971, the figure increased to 38 per cent; in 1972 40 per cent and 1973 49 per cent. The median and mean age show similar trends. Sterilizations on therapeutic indications were carried out on older females, as expected, since the main therapeutic indication is too many pregnancies. The hazards of pregnancies increase as birth order increases.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." In contrast to the Abortion Act, the passage of the Voluntary Sterilization Act through Parliament in 1969 was a smooth one. It came into effect on 20th March, 1970. The Act is now in its fifth year of operation. Like the Abortion Act it was given a limited lease of life, for the same reasons that the House should have an opportunity to review the operation of the Act and to determine how it has served its objectives and its impact on our society. Unlike the Abortion Act, however, it was soon evident that the safeguards written in to protect persons from a hasty decision to be sterilized which they might regret later, were found to be excessive. These checks were found to operate against the objectives of the Act. Accordingly, Parliament approved amendments lifting some of the more restrictive provisions in the Act on 23rd March, 1972. These amendments were brought into effect on 12th May, 1972. The effect of lifting these restrictions became immediately evident. The immediate result was a noticeable increase in the flow of persons who came for sterilization. The statistics given in the form of tables are in the Addendum* (*Appendix II, cols, 1155-8) to my speech which I have distributed earlier. It is evident from the yearly figures that they clearly fall into two parts. The early part is comprised of figures before the amendments were brought into effect on 12th May, 1972. The second phase is after the amendments Act had come into effect. The number of sterilizations has increased tremendously, particularly in the last two years. However, male sterilization is still relatively unpopular compared with female sterilizations.”
“Whatever his proposal is, it speaks for itself. 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 Chua Sian Chin]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. VOLUNTARY STERILIZATION BILL Order for Second Reading read. 6.15 p.m.”
“As far as unmarried mothers are concerned, it is good to know that unmarried mothers go to the Government hospitals for their abortions rather than go surreptitiously to the illegal abortionists and risk septicity. But that only proves the point. It does not prove that there has been an increase in promiscuity or permissiveness or a decline in morals. As Members may know, most of the cases of septic abortions involve unmarried mothers. Let us face the facts of life. Let us not, quoting the Member for Punggol, be an ostrich. As far as repeat abortions are concerned, they could have gone to an illegal abortionist. On the record there is a low rate of repeat abortions. But as I said, even if repeat abortions go up a little bit more, it does not mean that there has been an increase in promiscuity, permissiveness and so on and so forth. Lastly, the Member for Potong Pasir said about education on sexual abstinence and so on, or some study of that nature.”
“The only thing we can do is to agree to disagree. The other point of the Member for Potong Pasir is the figures. I think I have answered it partly when answering the points raised by the Member for Sembawang. I presume the Member for Potong Pasir referred to the figures which I have distributed. Was he referring to increased repeat abortions or was it abortions on unmarried mothers?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know whether I was not fast enough to grasp his point or whether he was not fast enough to grasp my point. But the point is this. I have never said that we want Singapore to be a second Sweden or a second Denmark. I have never said that. I said that our figure of abortions carried out on unmarried mothers is low compared with the other countries. But I am not saying that we must bring it up. That is what the Member for Sembawang wants to interpret it, and he talked about twisting. I do not know who is twisting. The other point is that the Member for Sembawang was positive when he said that this new Bill would lower the moral standards and all the pontifications and so on. I do not know how the Member for Sembawang could make that statement. Has he got any facts and figures to substantiate it? I have said earlier that the same arguments were put forward five years ago when the first Abortion Bill was being debated in this Chamber - arguments that abortion would cause moral decline and so on and so forth. But five years after, i.e, today, has it resulted in any moral decline? The Member for Potong Pasir has brought up the argument whether the foetus is a human life or not. He is entitled to his belief. As I have said, learned men have for centuries debated this point. We know that it is a biological fact that the foetus remains to be born, but under 24 weeks is it human or is it not human? Learned men are still debating it. Of course, the Member for Potong Pasir is entitled to his view, and so are other people who may not agree with him. I accept abortion as a fact of life, otherwise we cannot go on from there. The Member for Potong Pasir can keep on arguing until the cows come home. This is where the matter lies.”
“If we have unwanted children around, they will, as the Member for Bukit Ho Swee said, degenerate into delinquents, drug addicts, and so on. Therefore, do we increase the total quality of our population by having unwanted children around? I now come to the Member for Sembawang. On the matter of promiscuity, permissiveness and so on, there is no proof that abortions have caused promiscuity and permissiveness. In fact, all the predictions that were made five years ago did turn out to be correct. Lastly, the Member for Sembawang talked about the degradation of social morals, human dignity, and so on. Do we raise the quality of human dignity if we have a lot of unwanted children around? Mr Baptist rose -”
“With his rather rambling dissertation, I have tried my best to comprehend him, but I am afraid I could only comprehend a little of what he has been saying. First of all, he took objection to my reference to the opposing stand that found itself in the dustbins of history. I was just quoting what I said five years ago. That was all. I never said that opponents of that Bill should be cast into the dustbins of history. I do respect the views opposing the Bill, whether they be on religious grounds or on ethical grounds. He also mentioned about someone being an ostrich. I do not know who is the ostrich, he or I. But the point is this. He keeps on quoting what I said five years ago. It is very nice to hear what you have stated five years ago. But by doing so he has forgotten that we are now debating a new Bill and not the existing Act. He also said something about forestalling arguments and so on. If his arguments had been forestalled by my opening speech, I am afraid I cannot help it. He mentioned something about "abortion on demand". Yes, of course, five years ago, the Bill then did not allow abortion on demand. I had explained quite clearly in my opening speech that we then had no experience in abortions. We had to make certain assumptions. We had to learn from the experience of other countries. We were cautious because, as I said, there might be valid arguments then and, therefore, we did not agree to abortion on demand then. But now it is a different matter. Times have changed and we have gathered 4½ years of experience. We have all the facts and figures to prove our point. He also brought up another point about raising and lowering the total quality of our population. He does not seem to understand the meaning of those terms. May I just explain?”
“In 1973 the number of post-abortal sterilizations rose to 2,056 which works out to 23 per cent of the total number of sterilizations in that year. In 1972 there were 428 new family planning acceptors through post-abortal motivation. This works out to about 2.4 per cent of the total number of new acceptors in 1972. In 1973 the number of new acceptors through post-abortal motivation rose to 483 which works out to 2.5 per cent of the total number of new acceptors in that year. It is therefore clear that contraceptive practice is the accepted and preferred mode of limiting the number of children in families.' So it is quite clear that abortion is, so far, a last resort. After abortion there is post-abortal counselling, so that the people will accept family planning methods, whether it be the pill or sterilization. So it is not true that we do not do anything about counselling a woman who goes for abortion. But what I would like to say is this. The views of those who oppose abortions, whether they be on ethical or religious grounds, are respected. I have made that quite clear five years ago and again today. But they should not impose upon others who do not have such ethical or religious beliefs. If a woman's conscience and religious belief permit her to have an abortion, why should we deny her an abortion? Who are we to deny? On the other hand, if her conscience and religious belief do not allow her to have an abortion, nobody is forcing that woman to have an abortion. It was quite clearly stated in the Bill five years ago, and it is repeated in the present Bill, that no one can on penalty or punishment coerce a woman to have an abortion against her will. Coming to the Member for Punggol, unfortunately he is not here.”