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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“The Member has none. Therefore, may I say that the general statement made about discourtesy and so on is not very helpful to my Ministry. The Member also made a comment that the Institute of Health is like a market. I do not know how he views it to be like a market. I agree with him that the building is quite old. We always welcome new buildings, but so long as we have none, we have to make the most of what buildings we have. Finally, the Member mentioned the United Kingdom national health service. In other words, he wants us to bring private practitioners also within the health service. May I say that at the moment the Ministry of Health has about 27 outpatient dispensaries, and they are providing a service particularly to the low-income group, and I can say that the service is adequate. Therefore, at the moment we are not considering utilising the doctors in private practice and introducing a U.K. type of national health service.”
“That being the case, we have devised a method whereby all members of the staff of the hospitals have been asked to wear a name tag and, if there are any complaints, to let us have them. Has the Member for Anson any complaints about the student nurses? Mr P. Govindaswamy indicated none.”
“The position up to the beginning of this month showed that this was being implemented in 16 out of the 23 clinical units of the hospital services. 6.15 p.m. Sir, may I just say something about the number of medical officers who are now working in the hospitals? In August 1970, the number of medical officers in service was 248 and on 15th March, 1971, the figure was 261. There has been an increase of 13 medical officers. In view of the improvement in the staffing position, instructions have been issued that with effect from 15th of March this year, all medical officers who are required to perform night duty will be given a half-day off the following day. This would result in the reduction of the total number of hours of duty by doctors by about four hours per week if an officer does one night duty per week, and by about eight hours per week if an officer does night duty twice per week. As regards the nurses, I agree again with the Member for Anson that the student nurses - I do not know why the Member has picked on student nurses - should be properly trained and should be courteous, in fact, they are properly trained. I can say that the majority of them are courteous to the public. Not only student nurses but, in fact, all grades of the nursing staff are taught to be courteous at all times with the patients, with the public, their colleagues and their seniors, and this has been emphasised throughout their training period as well as in circulars and so on. The Member for Anson will agree with me that in any organisation there are bound to be some black sheep. I believe he will also agree with me that there are black sheep among postmen.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I agree with the Member for Anson that we are short of doctors. In fact, when I made my speech last year, I did say so. Taking his first point, when talking about the resignation of specialists, he has asked what will happen after that? Following the resignation of a specialist, the next most senior officer is immediately appointed to act in the post. This period is necessary to enable this officer to carry out the duties of the specialist and to enable the Ministry to assess his suitability for promotion. Promotion exercises are held about twice a year, as the Public Service Commission is not in a position to hold them more frequently. Furthermore, time must be allowed for officers who were considered not suitable in the earlier promotion exercises to prove their worth. The Member for Anson has also mentioned some doctors who have been made to work from 82 to 119 hours. Though I agree that some of them have been asked to work long hours, I think 119 hours is a bit of an exaggeration. If we divide 119 by seven, we get 17 hours. I do not think that it is possible for any doctor to work 119 hours a week. Therefore, this is quite obviously a prima facie case of exaggeration. However, may I say that a survey of the working hours of doctors was carried out in August 1969. It showed that they were on duty from 42 hours to a maximum of 86 hours a week. The matter was looked into and in August 1970, on my instruction, a circular was issued to all heads of departments to the effect that whenever the exigencies of the service permitted, medical officers on night duty in a clinical unit should be given half a day off the next day.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Whampoa has raised a matter under a subhead which is not within my time to answer. Otherwise I would like to answer him more fully. But with the permission of the Minister for Law and National Development I just want to say this. If, as the Member for Whampoa has stated, summonses should not be issued to unlicensed hawkers, then he would be asking the Government to be discriminatory as far as imposition of the law is concerned. My colleague has said that unless that is done, there will be chaos. What is the meaning of the rule of law then? He has quoted an example of how some unlicensed or licensed hawkers are not able to make ends meet. I agree that the situation could be given sympathetic consideration five years ago when there was a large unemployment situation, but it should not be so at the moment. They do not have to hawk as a matter of necessity, because there are always jobs ready for them. If the hawker is a widow, and I am sure the Ministry of Labour will support me, there is a shortage of domestic servants, and she can become one. I know that it is not easy to get a domestic servant nowadays. Why hawk then?”
“Admissions to WoodBridge Hospital for the years 1968 to 1970 are as follows: 1968 3,036 ) 1969 3,179 ) About 50 per cent are 1970 2,931 ) re-admissions Attendances at Psychiatric Out-patient Clinics are as follows: 1968 28,431 1969 37,273 1970 39,847 Outpatient Clinics where psychiatric cases may be treated as out-patients are as follows: Bukit Timah Outpatient Monday afternoons Dispensary Kallang Outpatient Dispensary Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons Queenstown Outpatient Dispensary) Tuesday, Thursday Maxwell Outpatient Dispensary ) and Friday afternoons Paya Lebar Outpatient Wednesday afternoons In addition, a Speacial Referral Clinic is held at Thomson Road General Hospital on Friday afternoons for referral of hospital patients only. A Referral Clinic was held in Outram Road General Hospital up to April, 1970, but was dicontinued due to the Clinic being utilised for the Medical Officer i/c Officials. The analysis of the attendances according to categories of mental illnesses in respect of patients admitted to WoodBridge Hospital for 1969 is shown below and the figures are about the same for the other two years: Percentage Schizophrenia 60.0 Manic and Depressive Illness 10.1 (excluding reative) Dementia due to old age 6.5 Alcoholic psychosis 1.7 Neurosis 1.4 Personality Disorders 2.6 Metal Defective Epileptic 6.2 Epileptic 1.6 Other Organic Psychosis 9.9 ----- 100.0 ===== It is not possible to give a break-down of the categories of mental illnesses seen in the Outpatient Clinics, although it is likely to be the same as that of patients admitted to Woodbridge Hospital except for the lower incidence of mental defectives and dementia due to old age.”
“The Association has agreed on this matter.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not quite get the point the Member for Kallang has raised. But I believe I have answered the question -all the stallholders in the present market will be given stalls. FOREIGN HIPPIES (Banning of entry into Singapore) 6. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he is aware that there are many foreign hippies in Singapore; and, in view of the bad influence they have on the Republic's youth, if he will take steps to ban their entry into Singapore.”
“This will not only minimise competition from the unlicensed hawkers outside but will also bring people who buy from them to the market.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the question as it stands is rather long-winded. I shall try my best to answer it in parts. First of all, the allegation that the Hawkers Department is taking unilateral action to reduce the sizes of the stalls is a misrepresentation of the true facts. What is being done is to require the licensees to remove the unauthorised extensions, structures and obstructions that have been made to their original stalls. The standard size of a stall has always been 6 feet by 4 feet as stipulated in the Environmental Public Health (Markets) Regulations. I would advise the Member for Kallang to read these regulations, in particular, the Third Schedule on licence fees. Not only should the stalls be of standard size, but the fees are also fixed at a minimal sum. Looking at the licence fees, he can see that they are a highly subsidised form of rental charged by Government for a market stall or site. Sir, on the second part of the Member's question, my Ministry has been assured by the Housing and Development Board that the existing Rayman Market will not be demolished until the new market to be built nearby is completed. All licensed stallholders will then be given suitable stalls inside the new market. In fact, I gave this assurance in writing in November 1969 to the Member. Further, the Member knows that it is Government's policy to resite unlicensed hawkers from roadsides and unauthorised places in indoor accommodation and markets. Rayman Market can accommodate 236 stalls and pitches, of which 101 are vacant. The Hawkers Department thus propose to license and resite by ballot the 115 unlicensed hawkers now carrying on business near the market and along Balestier Road into the market.”
“We know that we will be engaged in a relentless battle against ingrained habits, human weaknesses and susceptibilities. Finally, I would like to add a cautious note. With the passage of the Bill, the ban will be implemented. It is anticipated that attempts will be made to exploit every possible loophole to evade some of the provisions of the law. Of course, human ingenuity is always there to contend with. A close watch will, therefore, be kept by Government on attempts to circumvent the law. If it is found necessary, the provisions of the law will be reviewed regularly and changes made when necessary in order that the loss of revenue by Government from the ban will not result in monetary gain to others and, above all, to ensure that all the efforts we put in to discourage and minimise smoking will not be in vain. 6.55 p.m.”
“The Government has decided to mount a campaign to make school children aware of the health hazards of smoking and this will be done in conjunction with the health education that will be introduced in the curriculum of schools. It would, therefore, be illogical and rather ironical if the Government were, on the one hand, to adopt positive measures to discourage smoking but, on the other, allow advertisements promoting cigarette consumption to carry on. In fact, when the law prohibiting smoking in the auditorium of cinemas came into force in October this year and before this present Bill was introduced in Parliament, there were complaints from the public which found expression in letters to the press pointing out the illogical and ironical situation where cinema patrons were not allowed to smoke while watching a show, on the one hand, and, on the other, cigarette advertisements encouraging patrons to smoke were allowed to be shown on the screen. Sir, one writer ended his letter to the press, no doubt in exaggerated terms, by stating, "To add insult to injury they [meaning the authorities] are indulging in the cruellest form of mental torture. So stop cigarette advertisements in the cinema halls before disaster strikes." Thus, whatever the arguments pro and con its effectiveness, the banning of advertisements relating to smoking is the inevitable and logical move consistent with the Government's policy of actively discouraging smoking, thereby reducing unnecessary deaths, ill-health and suffering. As far as the Government is concerned, it has no illusions whatsoever that the campaign to discourage smoking is going to be a long and arduous one, just as our campaigns against litter, filth and pollution.”
“Thus, measures aimed at motivating adults into giving up smoking would undoubtedly be less successful than those aimed at discouraging non-smokers from embarking on the harmful habit. Most of the younger generation have not as yet embarked on the smoking habit. It is imperative that they be discouraged from starting. The Government certainly owes this to our future generation. Advertisements on cigarette smoking are usually based on emotional appeals and the exploitation of human weaknesses. They usually seek to associate cigarette smoking with manliness, virility, prestige and social acceptance and so on. One catching advertisement that seeks to appeal to your manliness and virility, which I am sure many Members are familiar with, is the one which tells you that if you smoke the cigarette you will be in Marlboro country. Another familiar advertisement tells you that if you want to be socially acceptable and be in the in-crowd, you should smoke Dunhill. Yet another calls upon you to enjoy the coolness of a mountain stream by smoking Consulate. As such, the young and impressionable are particularly susceptible to them. Thus, it is necessary that they be prohibited if only to protect them from this incessant and insidious form of harmful propaganda. Of course, the Government is fully conscious of the fact that merely banning cigarette advertisements by itself is not sufficient to bring about a reduction in cigarette smoking or to discourage the young from starting. Thus, other positive efforts have to be made to tell the people, particularly young people, about the ill effects of smoking and to discourage them from taking it up.”
“Faced with this massive scientific and conclusive evidence, any government worth its salt must feel duty bound actively to discourage this hazardous habit of smoking by taking positive steps to discourage those who have not started from embarking on the practice and to encourage those who have started to stop. The first step towards this direction is to ban cigarette advertisements which form the major promotional effort in increasing cigarette smoking. By banning advertisements on cigarettes, Government is fully aware of the fact that it is going to lose immediately a substantial portion of revenue from such advertisements on radio and television. Further, in the long term, its efforts aimed at reducing smoking will also result in the reduction of revenue from duty on tobacco. However, this is a relatively small price to pay and if it results in the reduction or prevention of increase in smoking, this will be more than offset by the savings in health and medical expenditure from the reduced morbidity and mortality. The reduction in deaths and disability amongst the economically active population will certainly have great economic benefits to the country. In one study in the United States of America, excess disability attributed to cigarette smoking in one year included 77 million working man-days lost, 88 million days of illness spent in bed and 306 million man-days of restricted activity. Apart from economic considerations, there is the over-riding humanitarian and ethical duty on the part of the Government to protect the young, who are unwary and impressionable, from falling into the habit of smoking. Adults who have already formed the habit of smoking may have difficulty in giving it up.”
“Every aspect of lung function is impaired by smoking. Abnormalities demonstrated include narrowing of the air passages and impairment of gas interchange in the lungs. The prevalence of cough and expectoration is closely related to the number of cigarettes smoked, and these symptoms promptly subside in those who stop smoking. Let me now turn to ischaemic heart diseases. Medical findings show that mortality from ischaemic heart diseases is two to three times greater amongst smokers than non-smokers. This mortality is higher amongst heavy smokers and those who start smoking at an earlier age. It is lower amongst smokers who discontinue smoking than amongst those who continue the practice. This increased risk of mortality from ischaemic heart diseases is also greater amongst the younger smokers. Smoking also aggravates the pain of peptic ulcer and delays the healing of the ulcer. The death rate from peptic ulcer is increased three to four times by smoking. Apart from these specific diseases which I have mentioned, it has been established that smoking increases the mortality from numerous other diseases as well as increasing morbidity and disability whether this is measured by working man-days lost, by days spent ill in bed, or by days of restricted activity due to illness. In one study in the United States of America, the excess disability attributed to smoking represented 28 per cent of the days of disability. Sir, if I have been instrumental in creating a bit of a morbid atmosphere in the House by my revelations of these medical facts and figures relating to smoking, I beg your pardon. But I feet duty bound to acquaint Members with these very serious medical findings.”
“I would like now to give some facts and figures of these medical findings to illustrate why there is this grave concern about the ill-effects of smoking by health authorities all over the world. First, let me refer to lung cancer -I am glad the Member for Paya Lebar is listening intently, it has now been established that the risk of dying from lung cancer is increased 15 to 30 times amongst heavy smokers as compared with non-smokers. The findings show that anyone smoking 24 cigarettes or more a day has a one-in-nine-chance of contracting lung cancer compared with a possibility of one in 284 for a non-smoker. It has also been shown that amongst smokers, the incidence of the disease is increased directly in relation to the number of cigarettes smoked. T he risk of lung cancer, on the other hand, is reduced when smokers give up smoking. It is estimated that 75 per cent or more of lung cancer cases is preventable if nobody smokes. In Singapore, cancer is the number one cause of death and lung cancer is the commonest form of cancer encountered here. Our statistics show that the number of deaths from lung cancer has been increasing in the last 20 years and has approximately doubled every five years since 1950. Once a person contracts lung cancer, his chances of survival beyond five years are more or less nil, and it is certainly a most painful way of dying. Studies have also shown a steady increase in mortality from bronchitis and emphysema with increasing cigarette consumption. Amongst smokers of 20 cigarettes or more a day, the mortality is 15 times that of non-smokers. The mortality from bronchitis has also been shown to decrease when smokers stop smoking. Mr Govindasamy, Sir, perhaps this will encourage those Members who smoke to stop smoking.”
“Mr Govindasamy, Sir, I rise to give my fullest support to this Bill on the prohibition on advertisements relating to smoking, which is now being moved for the Second Reading by my colleague, the Minister for Culture. Although this Bill concerning advertisements falls within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Health has a definite interest and a stake in its enactment, for there is now conclusive medical evidence of the serious effect of smoking in promoting the development of pulmonary and cardiac diseases, such as lung cancer and coronary thrombosis. Many scientific-studies conducted over the last 20 years have now demonstrated quite conclusively that smoking increases the morbidity and mortality from such diseases. Thus, being aware of these serious medical findings, many health authorities, institutions and agencies all over the world are becoming very concerned and are now advocating the adoption of measures by governments to discourage and minimise smoking. One of the measures strongly advocated is the ban on the advertisement and promotion of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco. For example, as was mentioned by my colleague, the Minister for Culture, the 23rd World Health Assembly held in Geneva in May this year unanimously passed resolutions recommending member countries to adopt measures to discourage smoking. One of these is the reduction of advertisement and promotion of cigarettes with a view to its eventual elimination. More recently, the Royal College of Physicians in the United Kingdom has called for a total ban on all tobacco advertisements.”
“Sir, there again it is a general question and needs no explanation. EXPORT CREDIT INSURANCE SCHEME (Shelving of) 11. Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Finance (a) whether the proposed Export Credit Insurance Scheme has been shelved; (b) the reasons for such action; and (c) why a decision was taken only after an official had been sent abroad for training and returned.”
“Sir, the notification was circulated some time last month or the month before. As to why only three cases were notified, there again I am not able to answer. Perhaps the Member for Kallang should ask the medical practitioners for the answer.”
“Sir, that is a very general question. The question of who pays will depend on whether the workers' union has any collective agreement with the particular employer. I am afraid I cannot answer such a general question. If the Member will ask me a specific question, I shall he able to answer him.”
“Sir, the number of granite quarry workers who have died from silicosis and silico-tuberculosis over the last 10 years (that is, from January 1961 to 30th September, 1970) is eight by silicosis and 10 by silico-tuberculosis. As for deaths from other pulmonary diseases, it is not medically known that silica dust could cause any other respiratory disease. As for the number of granite quarry workers now suffering from these occupational diseases, this could only be estimated from the survey by the Ministry of Health's Committee of Inquiry into Occupational Diseases conducted in 1965. In that large survey, out of 1,188 granite quarry workers (constituting about 90 per cent of the total number of granite quarry workers in 1965) X-rayed, 364 or 30.64 per cent of them showed signs of silicosis. The survey, however, did not differentiate between cases of silicosis and cases of silico-tuberculosis. These cases have been followed up for treatment in the Tan Tock Seng Hospital. There are a smaller number of cases also being treated at the Outram Road General Hospital. It must be mentioned that there is no specific cure for silicosis, and the treatment available in hospitals is only for symptomatic treatment of the disease. The emphasis here should be the control of the dusty conditions in the granite quarries and thereby preventing the occurrence of the disease. The Ministry of Health has circulated to all medical practitioners in Singapore a list of industrial diseases found in the Sixth Schedule of the Factories Ordinance, 1958, which include silicosis, drawing their attention to section 58 of the Factories Ordinance which requires them to notify these diseases to the Chief Inspector of Factories, Ministry of Labour, when they diagnose them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Committee on Medical Specialisation is a Committee which was appointed by me in November 1969. The report was completed and, as you know, submitted to me on 27th October, 1970. I am at the moment studying the report which I can say is quite comprehensive. The usual course of events following the submission of such a report is for Government to consider the recommendations, following which the report may be made public. It is not, however, proposed to present the report to Parliament. DEPARTMENTAL STORES AND SHOPS (Price standardisation and price tags) 12. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for Finance if the Tourist Promotion Board will approach owners of departmental stores and shops to consider the standardisation of prices of goods on sale on their premises and the display of price tags so as to present Singapore as an excellent shopping centre in the eyes of tourists.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is feasible to convert the Kandang Kerbau Market into a two-storey market so that the enlarged market will be able to accommodate the 570-odd hawkers who are now plying outside the market. However, owing to the total absence of an alternative site in the vicinity which is very congested, action cannot, at this point of time, be taken to relocate the market stallholders and hawkers while renovations to the market are being carried out. Thus, the only solution is for the market to be rebuilt in conjunction with the urban renewal of the whole area. This will be done when such urban redevelopment comes round to the area. In the meanwhile, Public Health Auxiliaries of this Ministry will continue to visit frequently the market and its environs to ensure that the cleanliness of the pitches and stalls and their surroundings is maintained. COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL SPECIALISATION (Progress report) 11. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Health what progress has been made by the Committee on Medical Specialisation; when he expects to receive its report, and if its report will be presented to this House.”
“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. BANKING BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.17 p.m.”
“This is provided in clause 8. The Medical Officers of Health and Public Health Engineers will be empowered by an amendment to section 57 to deal with the problem of wasps, hornets and other insects which are capable of stinging. This is laid down in clause 12. This problem will now be handled by my Ministry. Clause 17 deals with the problem of stagnant water due to inadequate drainage arising from existing subdivision of land without the setting aside of drainage reserves with its consequent health hazards. This will be resolved by the proposed amendment to section 76 which will enable the Commissioner of Public Health or the Public Health Engineer to require owners to provide the necessary drains and, if necessary, to carry such drains through adjoining lands or lots which happen to lie in the line of natural drainage. Clause 19 empowers the Commissioner or any Medical Officer of Health or public health auxiliary at any time to enter into, inspect and search any premises used or believed to be used for the purpose of offensive trades. Mr Speaker, Sir, I have tried to highlight all the important clauses in the amendment Bill. I have no doubt of the necessity of these proposed amendments to strengthen the hands of Government in dealing with the problems of environmental health. However, what is more important is the people's understanding of these provisions and the objectives of a better environment which they seek to achieve. I have every confidence that, with understanding, our people will again give their active support and co-operation in the implementation of the measures that will be undertaken under the amended Bill, and we shall advance a step further towards improving the quality of our environment. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to.”
“A number of problems, such as the removal of nightsoil and domestic refuse in new housing estates, have been encountered when developers allowed the occupation of these estates before they had completed the sewerage, drainage or road facilities. This can now be dealt with under clause 4 whereby the Commissioner of Public Health can require the developer to provide at his expense such services as may be required by the Commissioner for a specified period. Clause 5 seeks to prohibit the use of human excreta for the purpose of manuring potted plants in domestic premises, as this practice not only results in creating a smell nuisance, but can also spread disease. With our declared policy on the control of water pollution and its eventual elimination, closer attention must be directed to the problem of dumping refuse and garbage into streams, rivers, canals and drains, as well as the pollution of reservoirs, lakes and catchment areas. This will no longer be dealt with by the issue of notices and summonses as formerly provided under subsection (2) (c) and subsection (3) (d) to (g) of section 50 of the principal Act which is an extremely cumbersome procedure. The amendment proposed by clause 6 will bring this problem within the ambit of section 26 to enable speedier enforcement action by means of "ticketing". Further, enabling provisions have been incorporated so that "ticketing" action may also be taken against any person contravening any requirements in respect of public cleansing. Summons action against hawkers operating in prohibited areas provided under section 38 will now be amended to "ticketing" action similar to the existing provisions of sections 40 and 41 of the Act which are applicable to unlicensed stall-holders and itinerant hawkers.”
“An important amendment in the Bill is clause 11 which seeks to repeal the existing section 56 of the principal Act to enable the Commissioner of Public Health or the Director of Public Works to require the owner or occupier of any house or building or such parts thereof, which is in an unclean, grimy, neglected, unkempt or insanitary condition, to cleanse and paint or lime-wash internally or externally or both internally and externally such house or building. A new section 56A further provides, in the case of rent-controlled premises, for the owner to recover from the tenant the costs and expenses incurred in executing any work within the interior of the controlled premises in equal instalments over a period of 24 months. These provisions are necessary if some of the older parts of Singapore not yet designated for urban renewal or redevelopment are not to deteriorate further into unsightly slums. This is particularly true of the rent-controlled premises whose owners do not deem it economic nor have any desire to prevent them from becoming dilapidated, resulting in ugliness and insanitation. This is contrary to our objective of making Singapore a clean and beautiful city. Under the new provisions, such buildings will have to spruce up for both aesthetic and sanitary reasons. Some may consider that this is an unfair requirement on the part of Government being imposed on owners of property; but in a compact urban society, certain norms of conduct will have to be observed for the greater good of the members of the community as a whole. I wish, however, to assure hon. Members of this House that the powers given under this section will be exercised with discretion and in a reasonable manner.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Members of this House will recall that in December 1968 the Environmental Public Health Act was passed. This Act was brought into operation on the 2nd January. 1969. Since its enactment, great strides have been made by the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health to raise the environmental health standards in our Republic and, in particular, the problems of public cleansing and littering in public places have to a large extent been resolved. You have now before you a Bill seeking to amend the Environmental Public Health Act of 1968. This Bill is the result of a thorough review of the various provisions of the Act and is aimed at strengthening some of the existing provisions, as well as providing for some newer health problems which were not envisaged during the drafting of the principal Act. The primary purpose of this amendment Bill is to effect further improvements in the field of environmental health based upon the experience gained since the Act came into operation some 20 months ago. With a determined effort put in both by the Government and the people, Singapore has attained a high standard of environmental health. Singapore now enjoys the reputation of being one of the cleanest cities in the world - a fact which has been acknowledged and acclaimed by various visitors to Singapore. However, Singapore has a highly built-up urban environment where living space is becoming more and more congested as we build upwards. We cannot therefore afford to relax standards. We should strive for even higher standards so that our people can enjoy even better living conditions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the total number of beds in the Mental Defective Unit at Woodbridge Hospital is 45. The number of children on the waiting list stands at 350. Steps are not being taken to expand the facilities to accommodate more of this category of children. We feel that this is an area where voluntary organisations can play their part by setting up homes for the mentally defective children. There is at present a Mental Defective Children's Home at 9 3/4 m.s. Tampines Road which was set up by the Singapore Association for Retarded Children in February 1969, with the help of the Ministry of Health. The home has a capacity for approximately 50 children. A sub-committee of the Association runs the home and it is composed of members of women's organisations, businessmen, doctors, almoners and nursing personnel. There are at present about 44 inmates in the homes. REORGANISATION OF MOTOR TRANSPORT SERVICE OF SINGAPORE (Statement by the Minister for Communications) 3.11 p.m.”
“Hear, hear! Mr Lim Kim San: I hope there will be a large proportion of the public who will heed the call of the Member for Punggol, and, instead of spending their money on the futility of firing crackers or engaging in a fire-cracker war, donate their money to charity or to the Defence Fund. Mr Speaker, Sir, in moving the Second Reading of the Bill, I did mention that if there is no social consciousness in the habits of the people, we have to regulate their behaviour by social legislation. This is exactly what has happened here. Those who indulged in firing crackers during the Chap Goh Meh festival showed a lack of responsibility and social consciousness and, as a result, six people lost their lives. One person is still warded in hospital. I do not know whether the Member for Ulu Pandan is very happy when people are able to fire crackers whilst others die. If that is his idea of celebrating an occasion, then I think we have got to change his idea, before it is too late-”
“Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolution." Question put, and agreed to. Resolution accordingly agreed to. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." -[Mr Chua Sian Chin]. Adjourned accordingly at Two minutes to Eight o'clock p.m. to Monday, 30th March, 1970.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported - That the sum of $438,556,420 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1970, to 31st March, 1971, contained in Paper Cmd. 5 of 1970.”
“Concerning the development of hawkers' sites, I wish to say that new hawkers' sites will be developed, if necessary. As I have mentioned earlier, if land is available in the 12 constituencies, the funds allocated for the resiting of hawkers will be used for that purpose. As regards the improvement of hawkers' sites, the funds remaining in the revote will be used for the improvement of: (a) Geylang Serai Market; that is, (1) covering of pitches; and (2) improvement to lighting; (b) Seng Poh Market; that is, improvement of bin compartments; and (c) Taman Jurong Market; that is, washing platforms. The funds provided in this year's vote will also be utilised to: (a) cover pitches at (1) Bukit Ho Swee - four. (2) Queenstown - three. (3) Queenstown - four. (b) carry out improvements to markets as follows: (1) Upper Serangoon Market. Provision of stalls for pork and fish licences and chain link fence and gates. (2) Jalan Eunos Market. Paving of open areas for licensed pitches. (3) Cambridge Road Market. Repairing poultry slaughtering yards and bin compartments. (4) Jalan Kayu Market. Repairs to office and stalls. (5) Bukit Panjang Market. Repairs to office and poultry slaughtering yards. Mr Speaker, Sir, the summary of development costs under this subhead for 1970-71 is estimated to be: (a) Revote 50.000 (b) Resiting of hawkers 120,000 (c) Covering of pitches 42,350 (d) Improvement to markets 36,150 -------- Total: $248,500 ======== As the Member for Punggol will have noted, the funds allocated for this subhead will be $98,500 short of what was requested. Several of the improvements that I have earlier enumerated may have to be shelved. 7.54 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not that I did not want to reply to the Member for Tiong Bahru yesterday, but I was "guillotined". May I say that the Member has brought up a quite relevant question. The matter is under consideration between my Ministry and the Housing and Development Board. We are quite willing to hand over the markets in the Housing and Development Board estates to the Housing and Development Board, but there are certain snags. For example, the Ministry of Finance will want the markets to be sold to the Housing and Development Board. Of course, it simply means transferring money from one pocket to another, but certain arrangements will have to be made between the Government and the Housing and Development Board before the control of these markets can be taken over by the Board. The Member for Punggol wants to know about the plans for resiting, and development of and improvement to hawkers' sites, for which a sum of $150,000 has been provided under this subhead 703. Of this sum, $50,000 is a revote in respect of projects planned but not implemented last year, owing to funds being made available late. First, the resiting of hawkers. Part of the revote will be used for resiting of hawkers planned last year in respect of the following areas: (a) Cluny Road; (b) Yew Tee Village, that is the side-lanes; (c) Clemenceau Village-Bukit Timah Road; (d) Onraet Road; and (e) Jalan Mat Jambol, off Pasir Panjang Road. In addition to this, a sum from this year's vote will be used for the resiting of hawkers in 12 constituencies. These constituencies will be chosen on the basis of the urgency with which the hawkers there need to be resited, i.e., how much obstruction they are causing, and under what sanitary conditions they are currently operating, etc.”
“First, to acquire an incinerator to dispose of 900 tons of refuse per day, and ancillary equipment to utilise the waste heat to produce high pressure steam for generating electricity, thus providing some economic return from the burning of refuse. 7.45 p.m. The second method is to build two refuse compaction plants to handle the remaining 300 tons of refuse per day by compressing the refuse into high-density bales measuring about one cubic yard each, which could be used for reclaiming swamp land. The ground thus reclaimed can be developed for use by light-weight structures. In order that there will be an alternative refuse disposal method available should any of the aforementioned plants break down, we have also to provide a disposal area for the ash and clinker from the incinerator, and an adequately equipped refuse dumping ground properly operated on the sanitary land-fill method will also have to be maintained. This will, however, be a very small one. I do not know where it will be - perhaps Punggol or somewhere else. As I have said, it will be a small one and it will be more hygienically operated. I hope that will satisfy the Member for Punggol.”
“Sir, I fully sympathise with the Member for Punggol because the biggest dumping ground in Singapore is situated in his constituency. Sir, in the nature of human activity, there is always garbage to be disposed. That cannot be helped, and therefore a method must be evolved by the community to dispose of its garbage. To quote one good example of the presence of garbage whenever there is human activity. Last year man first landed on the moon and, as you know, when the astronauts left the moon they also left some garbage behind. I agree with the Member that the site of the refuse dumping ground at Tampines is unsatisfactory, especially because of its nuisance potential. The method of refuse disposal at that site by dumping refuse directly into the swamp not only causes water pollution but also a smell nuisance due to the decomposition of the refuse. Hence the complaints from his constituents. Flies and other vermin breed in the refuse and insecticides have to be used to control such breeding. From the big mass of rotting refuse, various gases of decomposition evolve, including methane gas which is highly inflammable when mixed with air. As a result of such mixture of methane gas and air you get instantaneous combustion and fires consequently break out. That, I think, is the reason for the fires in the dumping ground, as complained by the Member for Punggol. There are newer methods of refuse disposal, and my Ministry at the moment is considering the following ways of handling the 1,200 tons per day of refuse currently produced in Singapore.”
“496, first paragraph, last sentence: 'A committee is investigating and identifying those areas of medical specialisation in which Singapore could achieve pre-eminence by providing available medical expertise with the latest in equipment and facilities.' This statement of the Minister for Finance, Sir, is indeed most encouraging. For the doctors and specialists in my Ministry, this statement clearly indicates that funds will be forthcoming from the Treasury, when the recommendations of the Committee are adopted.”
“As its terms of reference specify, the Committee in making the selection must bear in mind two factors: (1) that development of such a speciality will meet the needs of Singapore; (2) taking into consideration our existing and projected resources both of staff and finance, and whether or not the development of the specialities recommended can reasonably achieve a level of eminence so that Singapore can be recognised regionally and internationally as a centre of treatment, training and research. In other words, with such development, Singapore will be recognised as one of the world's centres of excellence in medicine. I must say here, Sir, that the task of the Committee is certainly not an easy one. It has to make a difficult choice in listing the priorities from among the competing claims for support for future development among the many specialities. It will have to exercise impartial and objective judgment in making its choice, bearing in mind the terms of reference. The Member has perhaps seen the membership of the Committee. But what I would like to say is that the members of the Committee have been very carefully selected, so that those who are on the Committee will not have a vested interest in development of any particular speciality. Moreover, the membership also brings with it a wide range of expertise of various backgrounds, talents and interests. Besides medical men, they also include businessmen, administrators and economists. Lastly, may I say that this Committee has so far made good progress, having received numerous memoranda from our heads of units and members of the medical profession. Sir, here I would like to refer to the Budget statement made by the Minister for Finance on 9th March, 1970, and I quote from Hansard, Vol. 29, col.”
“Its first term of reference is to investigate the extent of development of medical specialization in the hospitals and, after consideration of such development, to recommend a programme of development or the creation of a few specialities, listing them in order of priority for selection. The basis of selection is as follows: (a) that the specialities should meet the needs of Singapore; (b) that they can be developed to achieve eminence, so that Singapore will be recognised regionally and internationally as a centre of treatment, training and research. The Committee's second term of reference is to estimate the cost of development or creation of some specialities and the personnel required. First, let me explain that the development of medical specialization in Singapore is a costly business. Funds will not only be needed for the training and employment of the necessary staff, but also for the acquiring of more up-to-date equipment. The maintenance of this modern and sophisticated equipment is just as costly. It is therefore obvious, Mr Speaker, Sir, that it is beyond the resources of a small country like Singapore to develop the entire range of specialities. The Committee has therefore been asked, in its terms of reference which I have mentioned just now, to select a few specialities, listing them in order of priority for all-out development.”
“Sir, as the Member for Punggol has said, Phase I of the Institute of Medical Specialities has been completed, and it was officially opened by me on 23rd February, 1970. That is the Radiotherapy Isotope Centre consisting of two cobalt units. The Member has asked me about Phase II of the Institute of Medical Specialities. May I say that Phase II consists of the main building which will house other specialities. Building plans have been drawn up and estimates, of course, made. Planning approval, however, is still awaited, and this is not expected to be given until the concept and cost of the Institute is reviewed. The Member might have heard that I have appointed a Ministerial Committee on Medical Specialization, which will be making its recommendations on the priorities of the specialities to be established. Before this Committee makes its recommendations, I would not like to say in this House what the specialities are that will be established, as it will only prejudice the work of this Committee on Medical Specialities. The Member also did say that he had heard that there are difficulties because the specialists are fighting among themselves over the question of which speciality should be developed first. I would like to put it this way. It is only natural that every specialist would like his speciality to be developed first. That is one of the reasons why I have appointed this Committee on Medical Specialization. It will make recommendations to me on the order of priority of the specialities to be developed in Singapore. Perhaps, Sir, it will interest the Member for Punggol if I say something about this Committee on Medical Specialization. May I refer him to its terms of reference?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported That the sum of $856,986,780 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1970, to 31st March, 1971, contained in Paper Cmd. 4 of 1970. Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker. Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolution." Question put, and agreed to. Resolution accordingly agreed to. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn."-[Mr Chua Sian Chin]. Adjourned accordingly at One minute to Eight o'clock p.m. Appendix to Mr Speaker's Announcement(Cols. 1053-4) (1143-1144)”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Ulu Pandan need not be so excited. When I have finished, he will have his chance. The law relating to unlicensed hawkers, however, is more - 7.55 p.m.”
“I will deal with the Member for Ulu Pandan first. He has paid what I consider to be a compliment when he says there has been some improvement since he last spoke on the hawkers' situation. He says that the hawkers' situation has improved only in ordinary M.P.s' constituencies, because our hawker inspectors dare to go there and enforce the law, whereas in constituencies which have Ministers as Members of Parliament, the situation has deteriorated. 7.45 p.m. I must say that this is a gross misrepresentation of the actual conditions, because we deal equally with every constituency, irrespective of whether it has a Minister or an ordinary Back-bencher as Member of Parliament.”
“Sir, I cannot agree with the Member for Katong more on this point: it is important that we see to it that public conveniences are clean, particularly those in eating houses or coffee shops. I agree that the lavatories in some coffee shops are not nice places to go to. May I say that regular inspections of eating houses are being carried out by public health auxiliaries of this Ministry. Where the toilets in any eating house are found to be dirty, the management is required to clean and maintain them in a sanitary condition. Prosecutions have also been taken against repeated offenders, much to the protest of certain Members of Parliament in whose constituencies these eating houses happen to be. It is agreed that the number of public toilets is inadequate in our city. Therefore, action is now being taken to remedy the situation by: (a) requiring hotels and cinemas to make their toilet facilities accessible from the outside, by day and by night for users of car parks and members of the public. (b) making the provision of public lavatories a prerequisite in respect of applications for approval to put up car parks for hotels, cinemas, restaurants and petrol kiosks. This is a new regulation which we have just introduced. Sir, in addition to all this, the provision of more toilet facilities is being planned for incorporation in our urban redevelopment schemes. The Housing and Development Board has undertaken to provide permanent public toilets in newly-constructed restaurants and eating houses, hawker centres, bus termini, etc., where people congregate.”
“This again is a new problem which has come about as a result of close living, because of our high-rise flats. This is also a matter which we will consider, and perhaps after due thought and consideration, legislation will be introduced. But, as Members of this House know, whatever laws we promulgate, unless we get the co-operation of our citizens who live in these high- rise flats, I do not think they will be effective. I hope the Member for Katong - I believe part of his constituency has high-rise flats - will be able to persuade his constituents to accept the idea of more gracious living.”
“This problem is aggravated by the exhaust gases from cars and taxis and on diesel fumes from buses and lorries, as the two Members have mentioned. A W.H.O. expert, Dr Graham Cleary, has been requested by my Ministry to assist, and he has just completed a study of our air pollution problem. As a result, steps are now being taken to form an Air Pollution Control Unit and, based on his advice and recommendations, regulations to implement control measures will be introduced. Officers will be sent overseas for training in air pollution control, after which they will staff this new unit which is being formed. Although the problem of air pollution in Singapore has not yet become critical, we are fully conscious of the need to tackle this problem early as this will save us a lot of effort and money later on should the situation become uncontrollable. There again, much progress has been made within a short space of time. I now turn to the specific issue of the cement mixture plant at McNair Road which the Member for Kallang brought up. I am certainly aware of the problem created there. Perhaps to the surprise of the Member, I myself have visited the place. The problem is to find an alternative site for the plant. There has been disagreement on the alternative site and, as a result, notices have been sent to the plant to comply with our health requirements. If these notices are not complied with, I can assure the Member for Kallang that prosecution action will be instituted.”
“In this respect, a United Nations expert was invited to study the water pollution problem from industrial waste and to advise on more effective measures to be taken. His assignment has been completed and his official report is expected soon. As such, water pollution control measures require active participation by various Government departments and statutory boards, besides the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health. Of course, as has been rightly pointed out by the Member for Katong, the co-operation of members of the public must also be included. I would like to announce here that a working committee, with my Permanent Secretary (Special Duties) as Chairman, has been formed to coordinate and supervise the efforts made to implement water pollution control measures. This, in effect, is some sort of an inter-departmental working committee, and members of the committee include the Director of Public Works, the Deputy Director of Medical Services (Health), the Senior Health Officer (Environmental Health), the Commissioner for Public Health, the Chief Water Engineer (Public Utilities Board), the Senior Executive Engineer (Sewerage) and the Senior Executive Engineer (Drainage and Marine), both of the P.W.D., the Senior Public Health Engineer, the Chief Administrative Officer (Jurong Town Corporation), and representatives from the Ministry of Finance, together with a member from the Economic Development Board. In other words, progress has been made on the question of water pollution. May I now say something about air pollution, which has been touched on by two Members? Air pollution is a relatively new problem in Singapore and has been brought about by the present rapid rate of industrial development.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, air and water pollution is again another favourite subject of the Member for Kallang. I notice also that it has become a favourite subject of the Member for Katong! I do welcome their speeches very much, because they do indicate that not only Members of Parliament but also members of the public are beginning to be aware of the deleterious effects of air and water pollution. Members of Parliament have expressed concern about the problem of air and water pollution that we are facing today. May I say that I am equally, if not more, concerned about this problem. May I first say something about water pollution in Singapore? This is caused by the discharge of untreated trade and domestic wastes as well as the throwing of refuse into open drains and water-courses. Water pollution control accordingly requires that such liquid wastes be discharged into the sewerage system and, where sewers are not available, to pre-treat such liquid wastes before discharging them into open drains and water-courses. Measures are now being taken to improve water pollution control. These include the phasing out of all bucket latrines and the use, in their stead, of water-seal latrines or septic tanks. Where sewers are available, quicker connections to the sewerage system are being made, while extensions of the sewerage system into unsewered areas are being continued. Sir, gully-traps will be provided to drain all liquid wastes from markets, hawker centres, and refuse-bin centres of multi-storey flats. Industrial waste waters from new industrial development projects will be required to be pretreated before discharge into open drains or watercourses, and action will be taken to induce the management of existing trade premises to start pre-treating their liquid trade waste.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Industrial Health Unit appears to be a very favourite subject of the Member for Kallang. He appears to have a lot of knowledge of what is going on. May I just tell him that Rome was not built in a day and so is our Jurong industrial estate? It takes time to build up the Industrial Health Unit. As he has admitted, progress has been made because formerly we only had an ad hoc unit and now we are about to establish a full unit. Certainly it should have given him much pleasure to know that progress has been made. May I also say that a medical officer will be immediately appointed to head the Industrial Health Unit? A second medical officer will be sent on a one-year World Health Organisation fellowship to be trained in industrial health in the United Kingdom in September 1970. A mechanical engineer will be recruited as a trainee for industrial hygiene, and after an initial period of familiarisation with local factory conditions, he will be sent overseas for specialised training. The 1970-71 Estimates, into which I am sure the Member for Kallang has looked, also provide for the recruitment of subsidiary technical staff, i.e., two Public Health Inspectors, one Inspector of Factories, two industrial nurses and clerical staff. More doctors will be recruited if experience shows that this is necessary. In other words, the Treasury has not been that uncooperative.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think we can go further than this.”