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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“Much has been said already both from within and from without this House on the implications of abortion, and I feel it is not necessary for me to repeat all the arguments against the complications and implications of such a move. My point, therefore, Mr Speaker, is that abortion is not a simple matter. It has other repercussions and other implications. We will allow an abortion to be carried out only under very good grounds. But to legalise abortion and to allow abortions to be carried out on socio-economic grounds will lead to many serious undesirable results. Because of that, Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not convinced by the evidence appearing in the Select Committee's Report, and I do not think that the speech of the Minister for Health can change my views on this Bill. 4.24 p.m. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, when the Abortion Bill was read a Second time in this House, I did not speak on it because I thought many of my colleagues here had already expressed their views. I had hoped that when the Bill was considered in Select Committee, Government would accept the views of the majority and would introduce certain amendments to the Bill. But after the Bill had been considered in Select Committee and brought up for Third Reading in this House, I find that the Select Committee's Report is very disappointing. My views on this Bill centre on two points. First, I would like to give my views as a woman. Second, in respect of the future of our country, I would like to give a warning. All of you are not women. Of course, all of you think that whatever you want to do, you can and will do it. For example, when Government wanted to reduce population growth, it implemented the family planning campaign.”
“For example, a middle-aged couple may find it very difficult to have two or even one child because they would prefer to have a car, a television set, a refrigerator, and all the modern comforts of life. And if they have a car, a television set, and a refrigerator, they would further prefer a bigger car, a bigger television set, and a better refrigerator. On the other hand, a couple with a low income may find it quite acceptable to have more than two or three children, because they do not care very much for the modern luxuries of life but they care more for the love and affection of children. Families amongst the vast majority of workers in the low-income group are too large because they do not believe in family planning. I think the right step to take to help reduce the plight and size of such families in the low-income group is to step up the family planning campaign and to make a genuine effort to get these big families in the low-income group to participate in family planning programmes. But to do it through abortion will, I think, lead to a great deal of other complications, because abortion is not as simple a matter as the removal of an appendix but an operation that involves wider implications. Abortion means the removal of a foetus. Whatever our religious views are on the status of the foetus, no one can deny that it is the source of life, a potential life. Therefore, its removal is not a matter to be taken lightly. It is precisely because of our respect for the foetus irrespective of whether it is life itself or a potential life, and because we hold a high respect for life itself that we should be very careful in taking any step that will cause disrespect for the foetus.”
“When did Britain legalise the abortion laws? Mr Sia Khoon Seong: What proof has the Minister that delinquency is the result of unwanted babies? The other very damaging point that he has made is that this Bill could improve the quality of children born after the Bill is passed. This is to suggest that all this while, the quality of children born before the enactment of this Bill is questionable. Mr Speaker, Sir, let me now view the whole Bill as it stands. Leaving aside the minor points, I think the Bill can be reduced to two major underlying principles, namely, that abortion is permitted (1) on medical grounds, and (2) on socio-economic grounds. The first principle on medical grounds would also include cases on eugenic grounds, and cases of rape which could result in the mental health being affected. This could be the main underlying principle behind this Bill. On the first principle, namely, on medical grounds, I think there is in existence today some provisions in the Penal Code permitting abortions to be carried out under limiting circumstances on medical grounds. It may be necessary that the scope and area in which an abortion could be carried out on medical grounds should be extended. Therefore, any feature of this Bill relating to the question of permitting abortions to be carried out on medical grounds will find no objection from me. My objection, and what I consider as a very highly controversial point in this Bill, is the clause that permits abortions to be carried out on socio-economic grounds. To begin with, Mr Speaker, Sir, the term "socio-economic grounds" is very difficult to define and to assess.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a point of clarification. May I know what relevance this has to the Abortion Bill?”
“The children's section of the National Library also shows films which are educational in nature, in addition to talks, lectures, etc., for children. Madam Chan Choy Siong (Delta)(In Mandarin): The Minister said just now that some good educational films have been shown in Singapore in recent weeks. Does he know how many good films were shown over the past two years? There were only seven good films. The rest were all films depicting violence, killing and sex. Has not Government the duty to promote the screening of good films?”
“The use of protective masks, therefore, for this purpose alone is not practical as such masks restrict movement, are uncomfortable, and have never been popular with the workers themselves. Even if such masks are supplied, it is doubtful they will be worn by the night-soil workers. EDUCATIONAL FILMS FOR CHILDREN 11. Madam Chan Choy Siong asked the Minister for Culture, in view of the scarcity of "spiritual food" for children, particularly in cinema entertainment in Singapore, whether he will take steps to ensure that film distributors supply a reasonable quantity of educational films to the cinemas so as to provide wholesome entertainment for our children. The Acting Minister for Culture (Mr Wee Toon Boon): Mr Speaker, Sir, film distributors are at liberty to exhibit the types of films that they wish and they will naturally bring in those films which in their view will draw the biggest revenue for them. The control which is exercised is done through the Board of Film Censors which ensures that objectionable films are not shown to the public. It is neither practical nor practicable to lay down any stipulations with regard to the quantity of educational films to be shown. In any case, it is difficult to specify what an educational film is, remembering that films that educate are not necessarily restricted to the documentaries but must include the wider field of film entertainment from which any child can learn something that enhances not only his knowledge but his sense of values. In recent weeks some films of good educational value depicting the broader aspects of nature and wild life study, self-reliance, innovation, have been shown in Singapore. Exhibitors will bring in such films if they find they are appreciated by their customers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry concurs with the view that the wearing of uniforms will lead to a neater appearance and will assist in the fostering of a sense of discipline in a work force. But the provision of uniforms, if accepted, should in fact not be confined to only nightsoil workers, but should be made available to all daily-rated workers engaged in environmental public health work. In the case of street cleansing workers, an added safety consideration exists as they can be easily identified by traffic on roads. The question of the provision of uniforms has been under active consideration, and the Ministry is in consultation with the Ministry of Finance for the introduction of uniforms for a disciplined public health work force. The annual cost of providing such uniforms works out to about $35 per workman; and the annual cost of such uniforms at the present time for 6,500 environmental health workers has been estimated to be approximately $240,000. This matter is being pursued with the Ministry of Finance. The cost of providing uniforms for 600 nightsoil workers alone is $21,000 per year. However, the provision of protective masks in any work operation for workers is only resorted to where improvements to the industrial techniques, the provision of exhaust hoods and the installation of mechanical ventilation are inadequate to eliminate entirely any dangerous dust or fumes that may affect the health of the workers. The handling of nightsoil does not give rise to such dangers and is of no direct health value, contrary to popular opinion. There is, of course, an aesthetic value as the smell associated with such work is not pleasant.”
“On the other hand, a considerable number of slides from Maternal and Child Health Clinics are from patients without symptoms. In the Maternal and Child Health Clinics, the yield is approximately three out of 1,000 slides examined. This figure is similar to the findings in many other centres throughout the world. Prior to October 1969, not all gynaecological cases seen at the Kandang Kerbau Hospital are routinely examined with a cytological smear. However, since that date, all gynaecological cases attending the hospital are now being screened. In the case of cancer of the breast, detection can only be made when patients come forward because of a complaint of a lump in the breast. It would be extremely difficult to provide a routine examination for all women. However, women who detect any small lump in the breast should see their general practitioners or attend one of the Government outpatient dispensaries, or one of the Maternal and Child Health Clinics. They will be referred to the surgeon if the doctor feels this requires further opinion. It is not intended to introduce legislation to provide for periodic examinations for cancer. A proposal for the expansion of the Cytological Service has been made this year. This has been submitted to Treasury for consideration. It is intended under this proposal to screen all women who are likely to have symptoms. The estimated figure to require such screening will be about 100,000 to 125,000 cases per year. NIGHTSOIL WORKERS (Provision of masks and uniforms) 10. Madam Chan Choy Siong asked the Minister for Health whether he will consider providing nightsoil workers with hygienic masks and uniform so as to promote a healthier, neater and a more disciplined working force befitting a "Garden City" in Southeast Asia.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, for the information of the Member for Delta, the figures for cancers of the breast and uterus occurring in Singapore are as follows: Year Breast Neck of Body of uterus uterus 1965 92 112 43 1966 112 121 49 1967 106 136 27 1968 103 95 27 In terms of percentages, cancers of the breast account for 12 per cent, cancers of the neck of the uterus 22 per cent, and body of the uterus 4 per cent of all types of cancer affecting women in Singapore. Compared with the average figures over the previous five years from 1960 to 1964, there has been no significant increase, although there is an apparent increase when compared with the figures for the years 1950 to 1959. This really is due to better service and more comprehensive diagnostic methods of detecting cancer rather than any true upward trend. Mr Speaker, Sir, since my last statement in this House in December 1968 on a similar subject, although the Cytological Service in our Kandang Kerbau Hospital has not had the number of its staff increased, the number of slides examined by it has increased. There is provision for nine Cytotechnicians but only eight are presently employed, one having resigned. The number of slides, with corresponding suspicious and confirmed cases of cancer, is as follows: Year Total No, of No, of Slides Suspicious confirmed examined slides cases 1966 1,744 71 42 1967 9,779 142 71 1968 14,677 166 116 1969 14,883 126 67 (Jan to Nov) Slides examined in our Kandang Kerbau Hospital come from two sources - hospital patients and from selected Maternal and Child Health Clinics. As the majority of slides from hospital patients come from cases which have symptoms, the yield of suspicious and confirmed cases is higher.”
“Madam Chan Choy Siong asked the Minister for Health, in view of the prevalence of cancer of the womb and breasts among women, whether he will consider expanding the facilities for cancer detection and treatment, and if he will introduce legislation to provide for periodic examinations for cancer.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry is aware of the increasing seriousness of the problem of air pollution especially in Jurong and other smaller industrial areas in Singapore. Further, the problem is enhanced by the increasing number of motor vehicles and other equipment utilising the internal combustion engine which can cause pollution of the atmosphere with the discharge of exhaust gases, especially carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide, on the main highways of the city. Steps have already been taken for an expert on air pollution control from the World Health Organisation to be assigned to Singapore to help us look into this problem and to help in the development of an air pollution control section. Among the functions of the expert it is envisaged that he should - (1) initiate studies to assess the present position of air pollution and the extent of the problem in Singapore; (2) in pursuance of the first objective, to recommend the personnel and equipment necessary to set up a monitoring system, that is, a system for the measurement of the degree and extent of pollution; (3) to recommend such remedial and/or preventive measures as may be feasible and necessary to cope with the situation; (4) to advise on legislation for air-pollution control; and (5) to assist in arrangements for specialised training for local personnel. The expert from the World Health Organisation is expected to be in Singapore for a period of one month in the first instance in the near future. His report and recommendations will be made known to this House and the public if considered necessary and appropriate in due course. CANCER DETECTION AND TREATMENT (Expansion of facilities) 9.”
“No doubt time and experience gathered from its administration will tell us how effective the great change proposed in this Bill will fulfil its purposes. Of course, we shall watch very carefully the effects of the implementation of this law on our social and medical habits, and if it is deemed necessary in the light of experience gathered, it can be brought up for review before this House even much earlier. However, I have every confidence that, barring initial practical difficulties in implementation, this Bill, on which a great deal of thought and consideration had been given, would more than fulfil the purposes for which it has been drawn up. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. Resolved. "That Parliament do now adjourn to the 29th December, 1969."-[Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Six o'clock p.m. to Monday, 29th December, 1969.”
“As for the community, it will be spared the tragedy of having unwanted children from whom most of the delinquents, the criminals and the anti-social elements are derived. This is the social evil from which our community will be freed. On the other hand, it will help to ensure that children born in Singapore will be wanted children, being children who will be properly cared for and have opportunities for education and the full development of their faculties so that they can grow up to lead meaningful lives and contribute to our society. The Bill also respects the religious and ethical beliefs of our people in that it does not compel any woman to have an abortion if she does not want it on account of her religious and ethical beliefs or for any other reasons. But it makes it possible for those whose religious and ethical beliefs do not forbid them from having an abortion to request for treatment by way of a deliberate act of termination of pregnancy under certain conditions as specified in the Bill. This indeed does vindicate the freedom and rights of the individual and his conscience which is so important in our multiracial and multi-religious society. The passing of this Bill indeed marks a historic milestone in the development and progress of our Republic. This Abortion Bill, which will allow abortions on purely socio-economic grounds under its environmental clause, can indeed be considered one of the most progressive pieces of social legislation ever to be adopted in the non-Communist world. This Bill, when it becomes law, will be in force for four years and may be extended for a period of not more than one year, after which it will have to come up for review before Parliament.”
“There are, of course, many other amendments which had been suggested by the various representations but which the Select Committee had decided to reject. One of the amendments proposed but was rejected was from the Singapore Medical Association which sought to add in a phrase that an additional child "is likely to impose additional and grievous hardship on the woman or her family" to the environmental clause, i.e., clause 5 (2) (b). As I have stated before, this proposal to add in this additional phrase, though it may appear to make the clause slightly restrictive, adds nothing materially to the criterion already contained in it, nor does it in any way alter its essential meaning, that is, to allow abortions on socio-economic grounds. Moreover, it has been rightly pointed out that it may unnecessarily impose a restriction on the judgment of the Board which already has a difficult job to perform. This suggested amendment was accordingly rejected. The reasons for the rejection of the other suggested amendments become quite apparent, Mr Speaker, Sir, if you are to read through the proceedings of the Select Committee as published in its Report, and I, therefore, do not propose to go through them. Mr Speaker, Sir, the passage of this Bill together with its companion Bill, the Voluntary Sterilization Bill, is certainly an event of major importance to the people of our Republic. This Bill has been rightly described outside this House as a Human Rights Bill. When adopted by this House, it will forever liberate our women from the present tyranny of unwanted pregnancies. It will free the family from the burden of having to feed and care for the child which, on account of family and financial hardships, it is just unable to do.”
“It is only where the pregnant woman is unmarried and under 18 years of age that the consent of her parents or that of a guardian is required. (c) Participation in the decisions of the Board As a safeguard to the impartiality of the Board, an amendment is provided in clause 9 to disallow a member of the Board or any committee appointed by the Board involved in any way with the application or in the operation to terminate a pregnancy, to be party to the authorisation for treatment to terminate the pregnancy. This amendment has been inserted on the suggestion of the Inter-Religious Organisation, whose representors to the Select Committee appeared rather concerned and wished to exclude the possibility of a conspiracy between medical practitioners to procure an abortion. (4) Conscientious objection The original text of clause 10, which is called the "conscience clause", provides that a person who has a conscientious objection may refuse to participate in any treatment to terminate pregnancy. Sub-clause (2) of clause 10, however, states that in any legal proceedings the burden of proof of conscientious objection shall rest on the person claiming to rely on it. This unfortunately has caused some misapprehension, as can be seen from the representation of the Singapore Medical Association as well as several others. Therefore, in order to clear the ambiguity, an amendment has been proposed which will provide specifically the manner in which a person who may be involved in the operation of termination of pregnancy can indicate his conscientious objection to participate in the operation. This is done by the person testifying on oath or affirmation that he has a conscientious objection to participating in the operation of abortion.”
“For example, it is provided that a report of an abortion performed for medical reasons by a medical practitioner where the prior authority of the Board has not been obtained will have to be made within 14 days. It was considered that the original text providing for the report to be made "as soon as possible" was ambiguous. (3) Processing of applications for abortions Several amendments are proposed relating to the clauses which pertain to the work of the Board in processing the applications for abortions. This may briefly be described as follows: (a) Referrals for specialist opinion In clause 7, the Board may make reference, as circumstances arise, to specialists for an opinion on an application before it makes a decision on it. In the original text, in clause 7 (4) (d), this was limited to a reference to an obstetrician and gynaecologist. It was rightly pointed out that this was an unnecessary restriction. There may be other conditions outside the competence of an obstetrician and gynaecologist which may require another medical specialist opinion, say, that of a physician or a psychiatrist. With this amendment, the Board would have the discretion to refer such matters to the appropriate specialist. (b) Consent for the operation of termination of pregnancy For obvious reasons, the Board has to be satisfied that the application for abortion is of genuine intent and a consent to undergo the operation is an indication of this intent. A valid consent for such an operation is described in clause 8. This clause states that a valid consent may be given by a woman who is over 18 years of age. By the proposed amendment, this has been extended to a married woman even though she is under 18 years of age.”
“The view expressed was that if there was a grave threat of permanent physical or mental injury of the pregnant woman, this should be done under a different clause (i.e. clause 5 (3)) where a second medical opinion is required and that the operation is carried out in a Government hospital or in an approved hospital. The fourth significant amendment relates to the citizenship status of the woman applying for abortion. The relevant clause is clause 5 (8). The original text would have covered abortions under the approved conditions to residents of Singapore only. Although a woman who is "resident in Singapore" would normally include Singapore citizens, it could happen that such a citizen might not have been resident in Singapore during the four months prior to the application of the abortion and would, by interpretation of this clause, become ineligible for consideration for an abortion. Obviously this is not the intention of the Bill. The intention of this clause is to exclude non-residents and non-citizens from taking advantage of the liberalisation of our laws. It should not operate, however, against our women citizens. The amendment seeks to clarify and forestall the remote, though possible, interpretation of the clause against our citizens. It specifies that an abortion may be authorised if the pregnant woman is a resident in Singapore in the four months prior to the application, or is a citizen or wife of a citizen of Singapore. The other amendments under this heading are administrative and consequential to the three major amendments which I have just described.”
“Since, however, this amendment was largely proposed by the medical profession which have probably weighed the disadvantages, the amendment is submitted for acceptance. But I would like to reiterate here that this amendment will in no way weaken this part of the Bill. In fact, it will serve to clarify the position of this provision. The second amendment (made to clause 5 (2) (d)) adds another condition under which an abortion may be approved by the Board. This is when pregnancy has been due to carnal connection. The Women's Charter makes unlawful carnal connection with any girl under 16 years of age. The exception is when the girl is married. Since the clause provides that pregnancy consequent on rape or incest is ground for abortion, it is equally good grounds for adding this other sexual assault on the girl to be included under this clause. A further amendment relating to the conditions under which abortions can be performed relates to abortions in cases of emergencies. This is provided under clause 5 (5). Under this clause, it was provided that an abortion could be performed when it is immediately necessary to save the life of the pregnant mother or to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman. The amendment seeks to restrict the practitioner's discretion to a condition where it is immediately necessary to perform the operation to save the life of the pregnant woman. In other words, the condition where there may be reason to perform the operation to prevent grave permanent injury to physical or mental health is excluded under this clause. The amendment was made on the suggestion of the Singapore Medical Association in the course of discussions with its representatives in Select Committee.”
“Thus, for clarification, the filling of a casual vacancy on the Board should be by a person who has equivalent qualifications to the member whom he replaces. Also, the composition of the Board, but not the number, may be varied by the Minister. In the original text the Minister would be able to vary the composition as well as the number of members of the Board. This appeared objectionable to the Catholic Social Guild. (2) Conditions under which abortions may be authorised Several significant amendments to the conditions under which abortions may be authorised have been accepted as a result of the suggestions by various representations made orally and in written submissions. The first amendment makes a qualification to the medical reasons under which an abortion may be authorised. In the original text, an abortion could be performed where there was risk to the life of the pregnant woman or injury to her physical and mental health. The amendment clarifies that these risks should be "serious" risks. The addition of the adjective to qualify the risk to life or the threat to a woman's physical and mental well-being injects a relative term into the considerations and probably will restrict the conditions under which abortions can be carried out for medical reasons. If the amendment is accepted, medical practitioners will probably find their area of manoeuvre restricted even more than under the present law which allows an abortion to be performed where there is a threat to the life and health of the pregnant woman, without qualification. The amendment is made on the suggestion of various representations, that is, the Singapore Medical Association, the Catholic Social Guild, the Catholic Medical Guild and the Regional Council of Churches.”
“The amended changes relate to changes in the composition of the five appointed members. Of the five members to be appointed by the Minister, three instead of the original two shall be females. It is further specified in the amendments that two of these three women are to be "professionally qualified social workers". The original text stated it rather ambiguously as persons with "experience in social welfare work". The reasons for these amendments will be immediately apparent to Members. It was pointed out both in written representations and in oral evidence that abortions involve primarily the female person and, therefore, female representation should be larger. Hence the amendment to increase the appointed number of female members to at least three. The number can, of course, be larger if the Minister wishes to appoint more women on the Board if he considers this of advantage. The appointment to the Board of two "professionally qualified social workers" instead of persons with "experience in social welfare work" was made on the suggestion of various organisations. such as the Catholic Social Guild, the Inter-Religious Organisation and the professional social workers. Professionally qualified persons are identifiable. They are persons who possess a qualification in social work, i.e., the Diploma in Social Studies. This would not be the case if the original term "experience in social welfare work" is used, as this could include a range of persons from charitable organisations, voluntary workers and those whose experience may be limited and not relevant to the issues. The other amendments relating to the membership of the Board are minor administrative amendments.”
“Most of the issues raised in the submissions pertaining to the principles of the Bill were indeed familiar ground as these had already been covered by arguments for and against the Bill which had been raised before the Bill was presented to Parliament and which were exhaustively debated in Parliament at the Second Reading of the Bill. I can say that, all in all, with a few exceptions, most of the representations were agreed that there was a need to reform and liberalise our law of abortion, although there was disagreement on specific provisions of the Bill and their wording and how far we should go in liberalising it. As a result of the representations, the Select Committee decided upon certain amendments to the Bill. But I wish to emphasise here that these amendments to the Bill will in no way alter the aims and objectives of the Bill or deviate from the basic considerations which had made the Government introduce the Bill. Neither would they in any way weaken the Bill as had been suggested in one quarter. The amendments which are submitted for acceptance would, in fact, improve the Bill and considerably strengthen some of its provisions. For this, I would like to take the opportunity here to express my thanks to those who had come forward to make representations to the Select Committee. I do not propose to comment on every one of the amendments which the Select Committee decided to recommend acceptance by the House. These have been described in detail in the Report of the Select Committee. I propose instead to consider them under main subject headings. They are as follows: (1) Membership of the Termination of Pregnancy Authorisation Board The total number of members of the Board remains at 11.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." The Select Committee considered 33 written submissions on the Abortion Bill and heard oral evidence from the representors of five different organisations which had submitted memoranda. The Committee decided to incorporate certain amendments based on some of the points brought up in the memoranda as well as in oral evidence. However, no change in the basic purposes of the Bill was deemed necessary. The basic aim of the Bill is to reform and liberalise the abortion law so that women with unwanted pregnancies may, on social and humanitarian grounds as well as on medical and eugenic considerations, have their pregnancies terminated safely and cheaply in approved institutions and by approved doctors. As was expected, there were written submissions which argue on the principles of the Bill. Of course, the stand taken depended upon whether the individual person or the organisation which made the representation was for or against the principle of treatment by way of a deliberate act to terminate pregnancy. Some took their stand in accordance with their particular religious persuasion, although they of course did not want openly to admit it. There were also other submissions which proposed amendments to specific provisions of the Bill. Often the representations took the form of the first part being devoted to arguments on principle and, in the latter part, to propose specific amendments to the Bill. It is interesting to note that there were also memoranda which, in the first instance, argued against the principle of the liberalisation of the law of abortion, but later went on to propose amendments to specific provisions of the Bill, presumably to improve it.”
“However, as section 46 of the Stamp Ordinance allows stamping after the first execution where it is expressly provided under the Stamp Ordinance or in any other ordinance, it is proposed to amend section 17 of the Moneylenders Ordinance to allow for stamping of an instrument within seven days after its execution. Clause 4 of the Bill removes the conflict between the Stamp Ordinance and the Moneylenders Rules. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr Chan Chee Seng]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. REARRANGEMENT OF ORDER OF BUSINESS Resolved, "That item 12 on the Order Paper be taken now."-[Mr Barker]. DEPARTMENTAL TITLES 3.20 p.m.”
“Under the present definition of "moneylender" in the Moneylenders Ordinance, 1959, finance companies are required to take out a licence under the Moneylenders Ordinance. Finance companies are also required to be licensed under the Finance Companies Act, 1967. In order that such finance companies, which are licensed under the Finance Companies Act, are not again licensed under the Moneylenders Ordinance, the Minister in exercise of the powers under section 34 (a) of the Moneylenders Ordinance has granted qualified exemptions to such finance companies. Since there is provision in the Moneylenders Ordinance which expressly excludes pawnbrokers, co-operative societies, banks and insurance companies which are all governed by their own respective ordinances, it is proposed to exclude a finance company licensed under the Finance Companies Act, 1967, from the provisions of the Moneylenders Ordinance. Clause 2 of the Bill does this. At present all moneylenders' licences expire and hence are required to be renewed at the end of the year. There is a total of 412 licensed moneylenders and it is administratively convenient that the renewal of licences takes place throughout the year instead of at the end of the year. Clause 3 of the Bill provides for a licence to be valid for a period of 12 months from the date specified therein. It has been pointed out that the Moneylenders Rules are not in accordance with the Stamp Ordinance. Section 40 of the Stamp Ordinance requires every instrument chargeable with duty and executed in the Republic to be stamped before its execution. Rule 12 of the Moneylenders Rules, 1959, on the other hand, provides that every promissory note shall be presented for stamping within seven days of its execution.”
“435 million at cost), although the existing Ordinance does not provide for this. It is only appropriate that funds not immediately required should be invested in approved securities, and clause 21 authorises the Board to do so accordingly. Under clause 22, "native sailing ships" are no longer exempted as a class from light dues. This class of ships, although fast dying out, actually use navigational aids and there are no grounds for such ships to be exempted. However, exemptions may be granted if a case is made out for them. Under the existing Ordinance, light dues may only be altered by Parliament. The new clause 29, however, empowers the Minister to alter the scale of light dues, after consultation with the Board. This is in line with the Port of Singapore Authority Ordinance, 1963. 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 Phua Bah Lee]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. MONEYLENDERS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.13 p.m. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng) (for the Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The purpose of the Bill is to exclude a finance company licensed under the Finance Companies Act, 1967, from the provisions of the Moneylenders Ordinance. It also seeks to stagger the renewal of moneylenders' licences throughout the year for administrative convenience and provides for the late stamping of a note, a memorandum or a promissory note within seven days after its execution.”
“During 1956 the shipping industry, however, agreed in principle that light dues could be levied on shipping in accordance with international practice and that a statutory board should be established to take over the maintenance, operation and improvement of navigational aids. For this purpose, the Light Dues Ordinance was enacted in 1957 under which the Light Dues Board was established. Experience has shown that the Ordinance does not provide the necessary powers for the Board to carry out its functions efficiently and, in particular, there are no powers for the Board to invest its surplus funds, to own property, or to provide for pension schemes, gratuities or provident fund benefits for its staff. The Bill now before the House seeks to amend and consolidate the existing Ordinance so that the Board can operate and carry out its functions more effectively. Clause 8 of the Bill provides the Board with wider powers so that it may undertake activities that may be deemed necessary or expedient, including the acquisition of property and the provision of additional services. Clause 10 provides for the transfer of Government property to the Board, which transfer has been approved, in principle, by the Government. These properties consist mainly of lighthouses, land for same, and other navigational aids. Under clauses 18 and 19 the Board is required to submit an annual report as well as an audited annual statement of accounts for presentation to Parliament. This requirement is in line with the other statutory boards. I have also pointed out earlier that there is no provision in the existing Ordinance for the Board to invest its surplus funds. The Board has at present $1.45 million in reserve funds invested in Treasury Bills ($1.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I presume the intention of the Member is that we should employ more medical officers to man the Industrial Health Unit. For a start, we are going to employ more staff, but we cannot all of a sudden employ as many medical staff as the Member would like us to. But in the light of experience that we have gathered from the amount of work involved, we shall certainly ask the Treasury to give us additional staff if and when required. BILLS INTRODUCED 3.04 p.m IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Immigration Ordinance, 1959, of Malaysia in its application to Singapore", presented by the Minister for Defence (Mr Lim Kim San); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. LAND SURVEYORS BILL "to provide for the registration and control of land surveyors and for matters connected therewith and to repeal the Surveyors Ordinance (Chapter 201 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. LIGHT DUES BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.06p.m. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications (Mr Phua Bah Lee) (for the Minister for Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Prior to the formation of the Light Dues Board in 1957, Government was responsible for the provision and maintenance of lighthouses and navigational aids. Ships using the port did not pay any light dues.”
“Studies of the norms for labourers were also undertaken by the Public Cleansing Branch and many of the labourers' beats are being lengthened. This is possible due to better disposal of litter and refuse into receptacles by the public. An increase in productivity and savings in manpower will result from this exercise of lengthening the beats.”
“Since the commencement of the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign on 1st October, 1968, to 31st August, 1969, an additional 200 daily-rated cleansing workers were recruited into the service to provide for a full seven days' cleansing service per week. The actual strength of the cleansing workers as on 1st September, 1969, was 4,033. There are 919 vacancies due to resignations, dismissals, etc., and action is being taken to fill them. It is considered that the full complement of 4,952 workers will be sufficient at the present time to maintain a reasonable standard of cleansing services. In 1970-71 it is estimated that an increase of about 930 labourers' posts will be required based on additional built-up areas, new housing estates and streets which will have to be taken over for service by the Public Cleansing Branch. In particular, there is a need to provide a better service in the Jurong Industrial Estate where at the moment only the Town Centre is serviced. The performances of the cleansing workers have improved considerably since the reorganisation of the cleansing services in August 1968. This is evidenced by the increase of the average daily tonnage of refuse collected from 800 tons to 1,200 tons. They are better disciplined as a result of better supervision by supervisory staff who were put through a course of instruction on leadership and man-management techniques organised in co-operation with the Police Academy. Further improvement in the performance of workers can be expected following the introduction of a scheme of monetary awards to be given to those who are hard working and who contribute towards greater efficiency and productivity in the services.”
“From 1st January, 1968 to 31st August, 1969 there were only six complaints received in respect of cleansing workers not performing their duties satisfactorily, and this involved 12 cleansing workers. Disciplinary action was taken against these cleansing workers and the punishments imposed were as follows :- Details of Punishment Imposed Number (a) Verbal Warning 1 (b) Written Warning 4 (c) Suspension 1 (d) Fine ( 1/2 day's to 3 days' wages) 6 It is to be noted, however, that an Operations Room was set up at the Ministry of Health in October last year to receive and expeditiously deal with the complaints from members of the public in respect of health nuisances. The public were also urged to lodge their complaints to this Operations Room. From 1st October 1968 to 31st August, 1969, a total of 2,467 complaints of health nuisances were thus received. Each and every complaint was investigated and 556 of them were not substantiated. Of the remaining 1,911 complaints, investigations disclosed that 60 complaints had resulted from neglect or unsatisfactory performance of duty on the part of 98 cleansing workers. Disciplinary action was therefore taken against them and the punishments imposed were as follows : - Details of Punishment Imposed Number (a) Verbal Warning 15 (b) Written Warning 8 (c) Suspension 4 (d) Fine (1� day's to 3 days' wages) 69 (e) Dismissal 2 CLEANSING WORKERS (Recruits) 8. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Health (a) how many daily-rated cleansing workers have been recruited since the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign which began last year; (b) whether there is any need to recruit more workers; and (c) whether he is satisfied with their performances.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the way the Member for Moulmein has explained his case, of course, the rationale of it looks cock-eyed. But I think that is not the rationale on which the rules and regulations have been drawn up. I have made it quite clear just now that the rationale behind the rules and regulations is that, as far as the hospitals are concerned, they will give an artificial aid which will be the minimum substitute for a lost limb. According to my experts, the minimum substitute for a lost limb is a peg-leg. But if a person wants something more superior and sophisticated like an artificial limb, then he will have to pay for it. May I just reply to the Member's other point? He has mentioned car accidents and so on. If a person involved in a car accident was not negligent, he can easily claim compensation. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn. Adjourned accordingly at Ten minutes past Six o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed. WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS Wednesday, 15th October, 1969 GOVERNMENT ENTERPRISES (Capital investment) 1. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Finance (a) how many Government enterprises and corporations have been established, up to the latest convenient date; (b) how much capital is invested; (c) how many other enterprises are there in the Republic in which the Government has equity participation, and how much capital is invested; and (d) whether he is satisfied with the progress made by such enterprises.”
“A State organisation is different from a philanthropic organisation. Is the Member for Moulmein suggesting that a hospital should be turned into a philanthropic organisation? Perhaps if I may bring up certain points, it may clarify the matter. According to the regulations, at the moment, a peg-leg or a pylon, which will cost about $100, will be supplied to a "C" class patient (who pays $1 per day) at 20 per cent of the cost of the peg-leg; that is, he will have to pay $20. In other words, it is subsidised; whereas if an "A" or "B" class patient wants a pylon or a peg-leg, he pays the full price of $100. However, I wish to point out that even the $100 is an economic cost. In other words, no profit is being made by Government. The $100 is the cost of the production of the peg-leg or the pylon.”
“If you say that a patient is entitled to a free artificial limb, then he may demand an artificial limb which is electronically operated. There is another matter which I wish to point out to the Member for Moulmein - if he has not been aware of it, although he is a trade unionist. Under section 15 (3) of the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, workmen who are injured are entitled to artificial limbs, but the price must be paid for by the employers. Why should the Government be held responsible for supplying a free artificial limb when, under the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, it is the employers who should be liable to supply it? After all, they are the people who make a profit, whereas the Government does not make a profit. Of course, if the Government is the employer, it is a different matter. Another point which hinges on policy is this. The Member for Moulmein said that in the case of the P.W.D. labourer, the N.T.U.C. had contributed some funds and, as a result, the labourer is now in a position to have the artificial limb. He also added that the N.T.U.C., although it helped in this instance, was not indicating that it was going to turn itself into a philanthropic organisation. On the same basis, I would say that a hospital is not a philanthropic organisation.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I quite understand the unfortunate plight of the victims who have lost their limbs. I personally do feel compassion and sympathy for them. But I would like to clarify certain points which have been brought up by the Member for Moulmein. He seemed to convey to the House the impression that artificial limbs are not supplied free to the unfortunate victims by the hospital authorities because the hospital administrators are splitting hairs and want to distinguish between a peg-leg and an artificial limb. He said they are slaves to rules and regulations. That is not the case. First of all, rules and regulations must be there and they must be applied. Obviously rules and regulations have been drawn up because there is a - and I underline it - rationale on which they have been drawn up. Perhaps if I may just explain, it will clarify matters. What is the difference between an artificial limb and a peg-leg or a pylon? As far as these aids are concerned, they are an artificial substitute for a lost limb. According to the experts, as far as peg-legs and pylons are concerned, they are the minimum substitute for a lost limb, whereas an artificial limb is something much more sophisticated and elaborate. Of course, the sophistication and the elaboration of artificial limbs can vary from type to type. Some artificial limbs can be electronically operated. But as far as the hospital rules and regulations are concerned, they are based on the policy that a peg-leg is the minimum substitute for a lost limb, and that is what the hospitals are providing at a subsidised price. Artificial limbs are something more than a minimum substitute. Of course, in any case, we must draw a line somewhere.”
“This will enable the authorities to apprehend the stray pigs that are a public nuisance and turn them over to the slaughter-house to be turned into meat for distribution among our charitable homes in Singapore. In order to institute effective enforcement action when necessary, a new section 5A is enacted to empower the Commissioner of Public Health to delegate his powers to any public officer and, with the approval of the Minister, to any officer of any statutory board to deal with the problem. Certain consequential changes are also made in the definition of "officers" so as to bring the Cattle Ordinance in line with the Environmental Public Health Act, 1968 (No. 32 of 1968). There are also amendments of a purely formal nature such as "the Legislative Assembly" to "Parliament" and "the State" to "Singapore" and so on. Mr Speaker, 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. 5.43 p.m. ADJOURNMENT TO A DATE TO BE FIXED (Motion) Resolved, "That at its rising this day Parliament do stand adjourned to a date to be fixed."-[Mr Barker]. ADJOURNMENT MOTION”
“To make matters worse, such places are usually situated just adjacent to newly-developed housing estates, both public as well as private, and even in the immediate vicinity of the precinct of our Paya Lebar International Airport. The roaming about of these animals from their insanitary pig-sties into the more developed and hygienic environment of the neighbouring areas has in the past brought numerous cries of protest and complaints from the public. It is now time for us to introduce more effective legislation in order that the rearing of these pigs is controlled so that the nuisances caused by them are eliminated, just as it was in the case of the cattle nuisance. The present law governing the rearing of pigs, which is in the form of by-laws, was made under the repealed Municipal Ordinance, as is the case of most of our old laws. The concepts embodied in this law are now outdated and have been overtaken by events around us. I therefore propose to deal with this outstanding environmental health problem of insanitary piggeries and the roaming of pigs in a similar fashion as in the case of cattle. This, in short, is the purpose of this Cattle (Amendment) Bill. The Bill is not aimed at any specific group of people, nor is it intended to cause hardship to any one. Let me make it clear that it is certainly not the purpose of the Bill to prohibit the rearing of pigs. Indeed, it seeks to ensure that farmers breed pigs in well-defined areas and in as sanitary a manner as it is possible to do and without creating environmental health hazards, as well as being a nuisance to the public. Specifically, the Bill seeks to extend the existing definition of "cattle" in the Cattle Ordinance by including swine as well.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Hon. Members of this House will recall that in November 1964, this House passed the Cattle Bill which subsequently became the Cattle Ordinance, 1964 (No. 15 of 1964). The Cattle Ordinance has since proven to be an extremely effective legal instrument in attaining our objective of raising our environmental standards. Today, cows and buffaloes roaming unchecked on our arterial roads, traffic circuses and rampaging private property are conspicuous by their absence. All cattle sheds are now licensed and are situated in well-defined and demarcated "non-restricted" areas. These measures have in turn solved all the outstanding problems caused by stray cattle in respect of health and traffic control. The cattle nuisance has, once and for all, been dealt with by the Ministry of Health armed with an effective piece of legislation. However, with the rapid and intensive urbanisation and physical development that are taking place around us today in Singapore, other sub-standard environmental health conditions in certain slum and squatter areas have now been brought into focus. The unfavourable environmental health conditions in such areas are intensified by the rearing of domestic animals, the most outstanding of which is the rearing of pigs, or what are legally termed "swine". These animals are often to be found being reared in pockets of slum areas in insanitary pig-sties and these pigs are allowed to stray and roam at will. These animals defecate all over the place and create appalling insanitary conditions in the areas and their surroundings.”
“The total number of open pitches is 65, and the number taken up is 56. The number vacant is nine. With regard to his general question about whether the Government has any project to construct any more new markets in the future, this is a point of considerable interest to the Ministry of Health. In fact, the Ministry has always advocated that in the long-term plan, all hawkers should conduct their business from within premises. In a count made in December last year, there were 24,845 static hawkers in Singapore, of whom 15,135 were engaged in the sale of market produce. Only 7,711 hawkers of all types were accommodated within premises, such as markets and hawker centres. The remaining 17,000 hawkers were scattered all over the island, particularly in the urban areas - in streets, foot-ways and back-lanes. The resiting of hawkers into markets and other premises is a project of mammoth proportions, requiring careful planning and follow-through action by the planning and building authorities of the State. The location of appropriate markets and hawker centres must be considered in the light of the overall development planning for the island, and is not a matter within the sole capacity of the Ministry of Health. Substantial capital cost will also be required. The Ministry of Health proposes to take the matter up with the appropriate agencies and is presently compiling the necessary data.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I say that in the original planning for the provision of markets in the Jurong area, especially in the proposed town centre, it was considered that the provision of two small markets instead of one would render better and more effective service for the expected population. There is not only the need to tie them in with the phases of development in Jurong Town, but there is also the need to allocate markets within convenient distance for the residents of this new township which will be more extensive in area when it is fully developed. That indirectly answers the Member for Punggol's point when he asked whether there was any need for two markets. As the Member knows, Jurong is going to be a big satellite town. I do not think that even these two markets will be sufficient when Jurong is eventually fully developed. But at the moment we consider that the two markets are sufficient. Perhaps a few figures pertaining to the number of stalls and the number of stalls occupied will give him an idea whether the two markets are going to be fully used. In Taman Jurong Market I, the total number of stalls is 122; the number of stalls licensed and taken up, up to date, is 95 and the number of stalls vacant is 27. In the market itself there are a number of open pitches. These number 112. The number of pitches licensed and taken up, up to date, is about 103 and the number vacant is nine. This does indicate that the market is in reasonable use at the moment. But, of course, we cannot expect it to be fully occupied because this will depend on the occupation of the area by residents. In Taman Jurong Market II, the total number of stalls is about 122, and up to date the number of stalls licensed and taken up is 108. The number of vacant stalls is only 14.”
“May I assure the Member for Punggol that with the present provision, if it is approved by the House, the number of refuse vehicles will be quite adequate to meet the needs of the Public Cleansing Department.”
“To put him in proper perspective, may I bring to his attention the fact that in many big cities in Europe and America they remove their refuse only three times a week, or even once a week. Even in the big city of New York, they remove their refuse only three times a week. An hon. Member: Once a month!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the first point that the Member for Punggol made is the need for more public health vehicles, and that this must be given high priority. I cannot agree with him, more. That is the very reason why we are here today debating these supplementary estimates. The refuse load at present handled by the public cleansing services is, approximately 1,200 tons per day. This is quite a marked increase compared with 800 tons per day formerly handled, by the Public Health Division. I am glad to say that this increase in refuse removal does indicate the success of the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign which was launched last year and is, continuing throughout this year as well. Although this result was welcomed, it was quite unexpected because in Government planning you do not normally expect a sudden jump from 800 tons, to 1,200 tons per day. You need additional equipment. As a result, there was, an urgent need for more refuse removal vehicles. The Member for Punggol also asked when these vehicles were ordered. They were ordered immediately after the Treasury approved their purchase. The other point which he made was, the request for greater frequency in the removal of refuse in Singapore. I do not know what he means by that. At the moment, we have daily removals, in other words, once every day. As a matter of fact, since the enforcement of the Employment Act, we have been able to introduce refuse removal on Sundays and public holidays as well, resulting in an increase in the number of removals per week. I do not know if the Member is advocating that we should increase the number of removals from once to twice or three times a day.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the charges are normally waived in cases where the persons are receiving social welfare assistance, if an application is made. RADIO AND TELEVISION ADVERTISING RATES (Payment by non-profit making institutions) The following Question stood in the name of Mr J. F. Conceicao - 15. To ask the Minister for Culture why non-profit making institutions have now to pay for advertisements on Radio and TV at full commercial rates.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I repeat what I have just said. I said that the charge of 80 cents is, in fact, an attendance charge. Secondly, it is a nominal charge and it is, in fact, not possible to work out the cost of each attendance. As I have said earlier, this is a consolidated charge and we have to make a flat rate charge.”
“At the travelling dispensaries, the charge is 20 cents per attendance; at the outpatient dispensaries, it is 80 cents per attendance on week days and $1.50 per attendance on Sundays and public holidays. At the specialists clinics in the hospitals, the rate is $1.50 per attendance. The attendance charge in each case is an all-in charge. Replying to the second part of the question, I would say that the outpatient attendance charge, whether at specialist medical clinics, outpatient dispensaries or travelling dispensaries, is merely a nominal one. It does not come any way near the total cost of the services provided. It is only a consolidated charge for the various services provided, which include the professional attention of doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and others, the provision of medicines and the carrying out of investigations. Thus, it will not be possible to agree to a waiver of these nominal charges merely because the patient may not have seen the doctor when attending the dispensary to have his dressing changed. There are still costs for the services provided by the nurse and other incidental expenses which could be accounted for in the nominal charge levied.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the rates of charges for medical services provided in Government hospitals and outpatient clinics would be too long and complicated to detail. They are recorded in a printed pamphlet entitled The Scheme of Charges for Government Hospital Services (including Outpatient Services) 1969. This pamphlet may be purchased by any member of the public at $1 a copy, either from the Government Printer or from the Publications Bureau at Fullerton Building. A copy will be made available to the Member for his information if he so desires. Very briefly and without going into detail, the Scheme of Charges prescribes the charges for the various services, and, in certain cases, sets out the categories of persons eligible for exemption from charges for in-patient hospital services and for out-patient services. The hospital in-patient charges are of two categories, namely, ward charges and service charges. (i) These charges vary according to the type of patients (medical, surgical or psychiatric) and the class of ward into which he seeks admission. For medical and surgical patients, the daily ward charge is as follows: - Class A - $45 per day Class B - $20 per day Class C - A token charge of $1 per day. The charges for psychiatric patients are different, being $20 and $10 per day for A and B classes respectively. (ii) Service charges may be taken as charges for treatments, investigations and other services which are charged according to the type of service given. These services would be too long to describe here. The service charge for delivery in the maternity hospital, e.g., is $200 for A Class and $100 for B Class. (iii) Charges for outpatients are made on the basis of each attendance and vary according to the outpatient services provided.”
“The advice of the Poisons Advisory Committee, consisting of doctors and pharmacists and others in Government and the University, was sought and the Committee recommended control similar to that exercised over narcotics under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 137). It will be noticed that the medically-supervised use and possession of these drugs is allowed for and there is no intention of restricting the legitimate use of these substances to treat patients. However, one of the ways in which these drugs may get into the hands of addicts is through over-prescribing, as has been noted in countries where there is widespread abuse. It is hoped that persons authorised to supply these drugs, mainly doctors, will maintain adequate control over these drugs and prescribe them in limited amounts to meet the therapeutic needs of their patients only. Mr Speaker, 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. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed."-[Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-six minutes to Five o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed.”
“The reasons for taking the drugs in the first instance are depression, fatigue, boredom, obesity, anxiety or premature ejaculation. Some have taken them for "kicks". But, sad to say, resort to these drugs soon becomes a habit. Addiction with its tragic train then follows. Persons "hooked on", to use a colloquial term, these drugs are excitable, unstable, aggressive and disorientated. To combat sleeplessness, some persons resort to sleeping pills with further deterioration of their health leading to psychosis. Though abuse of these drugs in Singapore has not developed into a serious problem. Members will, no doubt, agree with me that prevention is better than cure. In fact, we in Singapore are in an extremely vulnerable position since we not only have a young population but also we are a big city which is also one of the big ports of the world. I cannot therefore over-emphasise the importance of doing everything in our power to guard our youths from the tragedies of drug addiction which is now quite prevalent in other parts of the world. We just cannot afford to allow our youths to resort to drugs if we are to achieve our fundamental objective of building a strong and rugged generation that is healthy both in mind and body. The provisions of the Poisons Ordinance are inadequate in that possession, unless "for sale", is not an offence and that power of arrest at sight of persons in possession of drugs is not provided for. These drugs are not "narcotics" which precludes their inclusion under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. On these grounds, it was decided to frame this Bill, which is based on a similar United Kingdom legislation introduced in 1964.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Bill seeks to prohibit unauthorised import and possession of a group of medicinal substances which are generally referred to as stimulants, appetite suppressants, and hallucinogenic drugs. Members will remember that when Parliament sat on the 16th of December, 1966, the then Member for River Valley (Mr Lim Cheng Lock) expressed concern over the abuse of "pep pills" which he found was available to members of the public from unauthorised sellers and requested my predecessor to look into the matter. To put the record straight, I should point out that the import and sale of "amphetamines and similar substances" popularly referred to as "pep pills" have been controlled under the provisions of the Poisons Ordinance over the past two decades. Since 1961 the control was tightened by making the substance available only on prescriptions issued by medical practitioners. The abuse to which the Member for River Valley drew attention is a recent phenomenon in Singapore, following world-wide publicity given in the daily press of the abuse of these drugs in metropolitan areas of the developed countries, particularly in Japan and the United States of America, it is to be regretted that some of our students in institutions of higher learning have resorted to the use of these drugs. The appetite suppressant drugs have similar properties to the amphetamines and are in demand for weight reducing purposes. These include Preludin, Apisate, Pre-Sate and several others. Mescaline and LSD are hallucinogenic substances which are available for research. I am advised that all the drugs listed in the Schedule to the Act are liable to habituation and persons taking them become increasingly dependent on them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are at present two big projects carrying on in Jurong Town. It is estimated that about 5,000 trips are made by earth-carrying lorries per day. The Ministry of Health has requested the contractors of these two projects to take certain preventive measures to minimise the spilling of earth on the roads from the earth-carrying lorries, such as raising the sides of the lorries, laying of planks, timber and perforated steel sheets along the path taken by the lorries within the earth movement sites, removing of the earth from the wheels before the lorries are allowed on to the roads, and reducing the speed at which the earth-carrying lorries move, especially at the circuses. In addition to these preventive measures, the contractors were asked to deploy men and equipment to clean up the roads and remove any earth spilt from the earth-carrying lorries. It must be appreciated that in such big earth moving projects, some earth spillage on to the roads is inevitable. However, action will be taken by the Ministry of Health against the contractors if they fail to take adequate preventive measures to minimise the nuisance caused by the spilling over of from the earth-carrying lorries. 2.50 p.m. BILLS INTRODUCED CURRENCY (AMENDMENT) BILL First Reading”