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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“- and which he considers may be harmful to consumers, he can give me the information and I will see whether I can apply the provisions of the Ordinances which I have just outlined. The Member for Joo Chiat spoke on the promotion of an expatriate officer in preference to a local officer. It is always the policy of the Ministry to promote local people, but it must be based on all things being equal. On the other hand, if we have an outstanding expatriate officer who is far better than the other applicants who may be local officers, we must adopt the policy that the best person gets the post. But we did not make the selection in the particular case referred to by the Member for Joo Chiat. The selection was made by an impartial body called the Public Service Commission and how they judge a person's competence and ability is within their knowledge and is not subject to question by the Ministry.”
“If the Member for An-son comes across any drugs which are being sold -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Anson has said that people get the impression that Singapore is a nation of sick people because of the large number of advertisements of medicines in the newspapers. I do not think I can agree entirely with him on that point because, on the contrary, it can also be interpreted that Singapore is a nation of vigorous and enterprising people who try to exploit every means to effect a sale. However, turning to the offensive types of medical advertisements, with the passing of the Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) (Amendment) Act which will come into force in the future, advertisements relating to medicines and- remedies for the treatment of a number of diseases as listed in the Schedule of the Act will be banned. In addition, it will also prohibit the advertisement of medical skills or services pertaining to medical matters. Although there is no specific legislation requiring the testing and approval of drugs before they are offered for sale in the state, the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Ordinance require that drugs conform to the standards laid down in the British Pharmacopceia and the British Pharmaceutical Codex which specify standards for a wide range of drugs sold in compliance with these standards. All drugs which are considered in any way injurious or toxic are controlled under the Poisons Ordinance and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and are only available for sale to members of the public on medical prescriptions. These controls ensure that harmful drugs are not made available to the public except on competent medical advice. A measure of indirect control is also exercised in that invoices and drugs packages imported are checked to ensure conformity with our laws.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Market II has been constructed by the Housing and Development Board for the Economic Development Board. Action is in progress to obtain formal approval from the Development Plan-fling Committee and the release of funds from the Development Planning Sub-Committee to enable my Ministry formally to operate Market II. No itinerant or static hawkers are allowed in Taman Jurong. As there appears to be a need to provide marketing facilities to the residents of the blocks of flats near Market II, an early opening of Market II is proposed and is expected to be done early in 1969. ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST JANUARY, 1969, TO 31ST MARCH, 1970 Order read for resumed consideration in Committee of Supply [5th Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 2.40 p.m. Head 1201 - The following amendment stood in the names of Mr Teong Eng Siong and Madam Chan Choy Siong - (1) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1201 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, at the present moment, no school dental clinics have been established in Government-aided schools, like those already established in 43 Government primary schools. However, students from Government-aided schools who require emergency dental treatment are catered for at the following dental clinics: (i) Pegu Road School Dental Centre; (ii) Institute of Health School Dental Clinic; (iii) Dental Clinic, Bukit Panjang Outpatient Dispensary; (iv) Dental Clinic, Outram Road General Hospital; (v) Balestier Mixed School Dental Clinic; (vi) Bartley Primary School Dental Clinic; and (vii) Tanjong Katong Girls' School Dental Clinic. In addition, a few smaller Government-aided schools outside city limits are being visited by mobile dental clinics on a regular basis. Up to date, only one Government-aided primary school has applied for a dental clinic to be established in its premises. This school has provided suitable clinic accommodation and the Ministry has agreed to provide dental staff and equipment to run this clinic. It is the policy of the Ministry to extend dental services as far as is possible to Government- aided schools which can provide suitable clinic accommodation, so long as dental staff and equipment are available to operate new clinics. JURONG TOWN (Second Market) 6. Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Health when the second market in Jurong Town will be opened.”
“I am just volunteering some information to the Member for Ulu Pandan.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, it is not that I do not sympathise with the Member for Ulu Pandan. In fact, if he had listened very carefully to the answer that I just made, my Ministry did make a submission in the 1968 Development Estimate proposals to build an extension to the existing market. But as Members know, the Minister for Finance has said that, in view of the economic stringencies, we will have to exercise some restraint with regard to some of these projects. That is why this proposal has been accorded low priority. Mr Speaker, Sir, may I also supply some facts to the Member for Ulu Pandan? First of all, it is not necessary for me to visit the market because I already did so during the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign in October this year - maybe without the knowledge of the Member. There are at the moment 16 vacant stalls in the market proper and also 27 vacant open pitches in that area. They have not been filled as action to clear the hawkers from this area has not yet been taken. It is expected that when the island-wide census of hawkers gets under way and action is taken to make this constituency a cleared area, the vacant stalls and pitches can be filled. The rapid growth of many private housing estates in the Holland area from the 4 m.s, to the 7 m.s, will justify the extension -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, no provision has been made to build a new market in the 5th mile area of Holland Road. A submission has been made under this Ministry's 1968 development proposals to build an extension to the existing market at Holland Village. But the proposal has been accorded low priority and no funds have so far been provided.”
“An investigation into our records as to the number of complaints of rudeness by cleansing workers (city and rural) to members of the public for the period 1st January to 30th September, 1968, was carried out and it is confirmed that no complaint was received during this period for investigation or action. The Operations Room established on 1st October, 1968, has also received no complaints of this nature. One case of a driver of a Public Cleansing Refuse Collector (Vehicle No. SGA 9011) obstructing the road with an ensuing argument was received. The driver in the case was reprimanded and transferred. HOLLAND ROAD 5 m.s. (Construction of new market) 18. Mr Lee Teck Him asked the Minister for Health whether any provision has been or will be made for the construction of a new market at the 5th mile area in Holland Road and when construction will commence.”
“Conceicao asked the Minister for Health how many complaints of rudeness by city cleansing workers towards members of the public were received by his Ministry during the period 1st January to 30th September, 1968; and what action has been taken in respect of such complaints.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the mosquito-borne diseases in Singapore are: (i) Malaria. (ii) Dengue and haemorrhagic fevers. (iii) Japanese encephalitis. (iv) Filariasis. Malaria is notifiable to the Public Health Division under the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance; dengue and haemorrhagic fevers are not notifiable under this law, but are notified by administrative arrangements from Government hospitals and other Government institutions to the Public Health Division for follow-up. No notification is required in the cases of encephalitis and filariasis and figures are therefore not available for the period stated. The reported incidence of malaria and dengue and haemorrhagic fevers during the period 1st January to 30th September, 1968, is as follows:- Dengue and 1968 Malaria haemorrhagic fevers January 25(one local) 21 February 28(one local) 18 March 15 7 April 32 10 May 60 14 June 61 13 July 63 11 August 32 22 September 24 10 --- --- Totals: 340 126 === === The incidence of malaria substantially reflects the situation in neighbouring countries. Only two of these cases (the first in Punggol and the other in Pulau Ubin) could be considered to be of local origin, whereas the rest of the 340 cases are imported cases. Surveys have shown that no local transmission of malaria is occurring. The vast majority of the dengue and h‘morrhagic fever cases are found in urban areas. This is in accord with the distribution of the Aedes mosquitoes which is essentially urban in character. The cases occur mostly among children and young adults with more or less equal sex distribution. CITY CLEANSING WORKERS (Complaints of rudeness towards public) 17. Mr J. F.”
“It will not be practical until an estate is occupied and building operations have ceased and the drains, pavements, sidewalks, etc, are properly completed before it is taken over for cleansing. It has, however, to be emphasised that the streets in such private housing estates and drains should, by and large, remain in a clean and sanitary state, as these often are areas with limited movement of the general public. A high standard of sanitary care by the residents will ensure that both the streets and drains are kept clean and free of refuse and filth. This, however, is not always so and the co-operation of householders is often needed to ensure this. MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES (Particulars of incidence) 16. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Health what was the incidence of mosquito-borne diseases during the period 1st January to 30th September, 1968; and whether any distribution pattern is discernible in the incidence of such diseases.”
“It is provided under section 66 of the Local Government Integration Ordinance, 1963 -the relevant law relating to public cleansing - that the Health Authority shall cause public streets, including footpaths etc, to be swept and cleansed. Under section 67 (1) of the same Ordinance, it is further provided that it is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of any premises on a private street to keep his portion of the street .and drain abutting his premises clean. Notwithstanding these provisions in 'the law, the Public Health Division does lake steps to do cleansing of private streets and the removal of refuse in a 'substantial number of private housing estates where the streets are still private streets. As far as departmental resources will permit, in terms of funds and labour, the Public Health Division will provide a cleansing service to private streets in housing estates which are completed and 'fully occupied. This is already being done in many areas; where it is not done, the reason is the non- availability of labour and funds. In many housing estates, individual houses are occupied gradually while physical construction of the estate is still in progress. More often the occupation of houses in such estates is before the issue of a certificate of fitness by the competent building authority. Because of building operations in progress in other parts of the estate, there is often all the accumulation of refuse, lumber and other material usually present in a developing estate. The usual practice is to require the developer to provide the maintenance and cleansing service while building operations are in progress.”
“During the period 1st January, 1968, to 30th September, 1968 - that is nine months the number of patients treated for hand injuries at the Orthop‘edic Department of the Outram Road General Hospital is 1,679. Of this number, a total of 289 persons were injured while working with machines in operation. The assessment for disability is made usually after a period of about six months since the injury. For the period January to March 1968, 51 patients -about ten per cent - of those injured had injuries resulting in total or partial permanent disablement of the hand. PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT (Cleansing of completed roads in private housing estates) 15. Mr L. P. Rodrigo asked the Minister for Health why the Public Health Department is not undertaking the cleansing of completed roads in some private housing estates.”
“The sole criterion for admission is whether or not the patient requires admission to the hospital, and no account is taken whether or not the patient may be able to afford admission to a paying class ward, as the hospital, as mentioned previously, does not have paying class wards. But if the patients request admission to paying class wards, they are then returned for admission to the paying class wards in the Outram Road General Hospital. Development estimate proposals have been made to convert two wards in the hospital to accommodate paying class patients. The estimate for making the conversions has been given by the Public Works Department as costing $75,000. The cost for furniture and equipment will bring this up to about $112,000. Approval for conversion of these paying class wards has been just given and is included in next year's estimates, and it is the intention to effect the conversion in the very near future. These two paying class wards will be used for general medical as well as tuberculosis patients. There are at present four free class medical wards. When the revised ward charges are implemented, patients admitted to these medical wards will pay similar rates chargeable to those admitted to 'C' class wards in other hospitals. GENERAL HOSPITAL - ORTHOPAEDIC DEPARTMENT (Particulars of cases of hand injuries) 14. Mr L. P. Rodrigo asked the Minister for Health (a) how many hand injuries have been recorded for treatment at the Orthop‘edic Department in the General Hospital from 1st January, 1968, to the latest convenient date; (b) how many of such injuries had been caused while the injured persons were working with machines in operation; and (c) how many of such injuries have resulted in total or partial permanent disability of the hand.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there have been occasions where tuberculosis cases have been admitted to the Medical Wards in Tan Tock Seng Hospital. These were for the following reasons: (a) it was not known that these patients at the time of admission were suffering from tuberculosis; or (b) in those confirmed cases of tuberculosis, they were admitted for some other medical condition requiring investigation or treatment in a Medical Ward. It should be mentioned that the Medical Wards in other hospitals do occasionally, also for the same reasons, admit tuberculosis cases. The Member for Mountbatten is assured that there is no danger whatsoever to other patients or their visitors in a ward where tuberculosis cases are present. A patient suffering from tuberculosis in a hospital is under treatment and in these circumstances is not infectious. If there is a chance that he is infectious, special precautions are taken, for example, by isolation in a separate room in the same ward, and his clothes and utensils are kept separate and are carefully sterilised. TAN TOCK SENG HOSPITAL (Free admission to medical wards) 13. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Health why persons who are well able to afford paying for hospitalisation have been, and are being, admitted to the Medical Wards in Tan Tock Seng Hospital admission to which is free. Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, Tan Tock Seng Hospital is a free hospital. There are no paying class wards in it. Hence any patient admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, whether to the Tuberculosis Chest or Thoracic, Surgical or Medical Wards is admitted free. Admissions to the Medical Wards at Tan Tock Seng Hospital are taken from the Admission Room of the Outram Road General Hospital on a roster basis.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the area served by the Thomson Road General Hospital is periodically reviewed. Extension of the boundaries served by the hospital by taking in other constituencies, such as Jalan Kayu, will certainly be considered. But it is regretted that extension of the area served by the hospital cannot be accepted now. The hospital is relatively new and its facilities have been only gradually increased. It would be unwise if it attempts to take in a much larger area than it could properly deal with. It is better to start off with a smaller area and when staff and other facilities are increased, it can then expand its services to a wider area. The area served by the hospital itself is rapidly developing. The satellite town of Toa Payoh alone will have around 250,000 persons. A population of this size will sorely tax the hospital which has a total capacity of only 396 beds. The addition of other constituencies within its responsibilities will probably overwhelm it. If the demand for Jalan Kayu is to be met by the Thomson Road General Hospital, the other constituencies such as Nee Soon, Serangoon Gardens and Thomson which are closer and intervene between Jalan Kayu and the hospital would also have to be entertained. It is for this reason that it would not be prudent at this stage to consider extending the areas served by Thomson Road General Hospital to include the constituency of Jalan Kayu. TAN TOCK SENG HOSPITAL (Admission of confirmed tuberculosis cases to medical wards) 12. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Health why confirmed tuberculosis cases are admitted to the Medical Wards in Tan Tock Seng Hospital not meant for such cases.”
“If that could be done, I would gladly relinquish my post as Health Minister and allow this committee to operate. But, Mr Speaker, Sir, my experience of committees is that there is always a lot of talk but very little action. Finally, a very relevant point was brought up by the Member for Bukit Panjang concerning the Mount Vernon Crematorium. According to him, very few people know about its existence and we should organise a campaign to publicise its existence. I cannot agree with him more that greater use should be made of the crematorium because of the shortage of land for burial. But I believe we have other more urgent public health matters to organise campaigns on than on the use of this crematorium. I believe I have now covered the whole ground of the debate on this Bill. 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." - [Mr Chua Sian Chin] Adjourned accordingly at Thirty-five minutes past Nine o'clock p.m.”
“If it does create nuisances or causes the breeding of insects, appropriate action can be taken under the Act. With regard to the cementing of back-lanes, as the Minister for Health, I would be happy to have back-lanes cemented because that would solve my problem. But the Member for Joo Chiat will understand that it does need money to buy the cement and get the work done. As our Finance Minister told us last week, we have to operate within a certain budget. I suggest the Member for Joo Chiat go round with the Citizens' Consultative Committee and collect some money for this job. The work of cementing the back-lanes can then be undertaken. The Member for Ulu Pandan also said that there was no necessity for this Bill to be passed. He said that what we need do is just to persuade people, hold competitions and give rewards and so on. He said that the success of the campaign which we launched in October indicated that by talking to people, per suading them, holding competitions, we could get a cleaner Singapore. If that were true, I would be very happy. We need not then enforce the law to see that health hazards are not created. I am afraid I do not subscribe to such idealism. Even in the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign, which was the final effort to put the message across, there was always at the back of the minds of the people the thought that law enforcement would follow as from 1st November, and that did, to some extent, contribute to making Singapore a cleaner place. It was not just the com petitions and persuasion. Another point brought up by the Member for Ulu Pandan was that, by having a committee consisting of members of the public - hawkers and market stall- holders they would be in a better position to keep Singapore clean.”
“I am glad, Mr Speaker, Sir, that he has come back. If there are any complaints of rudeness on the part of Health Ministry officials, I would invite not only the Member for Tiong Bahru but every Member of this House to specify the allegations so that we can look into them and appropriate action can be taken. In fact, we will be extremely grateful to members of the public to come forward with the complaints. As hon. Members know, we are waging a war against filth and squalor. To win such a war, we need sufficient "intelligence" of what is going on outside. In fact, we regard such complaints as "intelligence" information and we can very well use it. I come now to the point brought up by the Member for Joo Chiat about some black spots in Joo Chiat consti tuency. Here again, the Member for Joo Chiat is quite free to take up the telephone and make his complaints to our Operations Room and they will be attended to. What I wish to point out is this. The question of back- lanes being turned into slums is a general problem which I do not think the Health Ministry alone can solve. It needs a number of Ministries to deal with it. If a person puts up an illegal structure in a back- lane and lives in it, it does need action by way of resettlement. I do not think the Health Ministry alone can deal with the question of resettlement. I come now to the question of lalang and the cementing of back-lanes. As far as lalang jungle or tertiary or secondary jungle being allowed to grow in back-lanes is concerned, although it is not specifically dealt with in this Bill, there are provisions in the Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act to deal with this problem, if the Member for Joo Chiat remembers.”
“They will get the work done free and this will encourage them to create more nuisances in the future. On the other hand, now that we have the provision to recover costs and expenses, I am quite sure that it will be a deterrent to members of the public not to create such nuisances. The Member for Tiong Bahru did say something about the rudeness of several Health Ministry officials who implemented the law after 1st November. This is the first time I have heard such a complaint from him. As a matter of fact, we in the Health Ministry welcome such complaints. If there is any specific allegation, we will certainly look into it. We have even set up an "Operations Room" and the Member for Tiong Bahru can just take up the telephone and make his complaint. In other words, the Health Ministry is giving every facility not only to the Member for Tiong Bahru but also to members of the public to lodge their complaints. Mr Speaker: Mr Chua, the Member for Ulu Pandan has come back!”
“Members that public health officers act with discretion and that action is taken only after warnings have been issued. The Member for Serangoon Gardens and the Member for Bukit Panjang remarked that this is a harsh Bill. I do realise that both the hon. Members are members of the legal profession. They do have to plead in mitigation when they go to court. So I can well understand the thinking that prompted them to say that the Bill is too harsh. On the other hand, the Member for J00 Chiat is more a realistic person. He said that the Bill does not go far enough. I leave it to Members of the House to judge for themselves. We should not whittle down the clauses of the Bill in such a way as to make it ineffective. If we pass a Bill with no teeth in it, our time here will have been wasted. I would like to inform hon. Members that we in the Health Ministry are reasonable people and that we will use our discretion when we implement the Bill. Contrary to what the Member for Ulu Pandan has said, we are not Fascists in our attitude. Unfortunately, having made the accusation, the Member has left this Chamber. He has not waited for a reply. Incidentally, if he says that we are undemocratic, I cannot see how more democratic we can be than by having this debate on all the provisions of the Bill. Unfortunately, the Member for Ulu Pandan having made the accusation has left the Chamber. Another point is this. There was much mention about the costs and expenses to be recovered from work that is undertaken by the Health Ministry. Unless we have such a provision, I am afraid it will not be effective, because if we do not recover the costs and expenses, then everyone will create nuisances and just invite the Health Ministry to do the work.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the various. Members who spoke in support of or at least agreed in principle with the Bill. May I reply to certain valid points raised by hon. Members in order to clarify the whole position? The first refers to the prohibition of the sale of night- soil and the prohibition of the use of night-soil as manure. This point was raised by the Member for Jurong and the Member for Jalan Kayu. Mr Speaker, Sir, from the health point of view, night-soil, in fact, is not a suitable manure for vegetables. In April this year, the day after I took office, we had a cholera epidemic. I think common sense will tell us - apart from the advice of doctors that it is very dangerous to use night-soil as manure. There can be a severe epidemic outbreak in Singapore if the night-soil is contaminated. This is definitely not in the interest of the community at large. I do sympathise in the same way as other Members with the plight of the farmers. But I believe that farmers should keep up with the times. After all, we are now living in a technological age. The farmers should switch over to the use of artificial manure or other types of manure than human excreta. The Member for Jalan Kayu said that a certain period of grace should be given before the provisions in the Bill are implemented. Mr Speaker, Sir, we in the Health Ministry are reasonable people. We always give the required warnings. As I have often said, we only punish the incorrigibles and the recalcitrants. In fact, many of the summonses issued are against those people who are quite incorrigible. But when they come to the "meet-the-people" session, they tell sad stories and make themselves out as very pleasant people and paint the public health officers as devils. I can assure hon.”
“The Environmental Public Health Bill will make a major contribution towards improved environmental health practice in Singapore and its enactment is essential for a clean and healthy Singapore. I have every confidence that given the support and co- operation of the people, we shall make Singapore a cleaner and healthier place, not only in Southeast Asia, but comparable to the best in the world - a country of which we can be proud. We shall be establishing better living conditions for an urban community - norms which will make for a healthier, better and more pleasant life for everyone in Singapore. "These standards will keep morale high, the sickness rate low, and so create the necessary social conditions for higher economic growth in industry and in tourism." I have no doubt that this Bill will serve the short- and long, term objectives of Singapore well and enhance the environmental conditions of Singapore. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. 8.39 p.m.”
“Part XIII (Funeral parlours, cemeteries and crematoria) introduces new provisions (clauses 95 and 96) with regard to the licensing and control of funeral parlours which are defined as premises where corpses are received fot purposes of preparation for burial or cremation and for carrying out funeral rites and ceremonies prior to burial or cremation. Clause 97 lays down that the corpse of any person who has died of any infectious disease set out in the Third Schedule shall not be received into a funeral parlour. The existing provisions in respect of cemeteries and crematoria have been incorporated with amendments. Part XIV (Miscellaneous) contains various provisions necessary for effectively carrying out the functions and purposes of this Bill, namely: (a) powers of entry, as provided in clause 108; (b) protection of the officers from personal liability for any act or thing done under the Act; (c) penalties for persons obstructing public officers from carrying out their duties under the Act; these are laid down in clause 111; (d) obtaining mandatory order, as provided in clause 112; (e) procedures for recovery of costs and expenses payable by owners; these are set out in clauses 119, 122, 123 and 124; (f) services of notices, as required in clause 117; (g) general provisions with regard to licences, as laid down in clause 127; (h) the Commissioner may compound specified offences; (i) the power of the Minister to make regulations is provided in clause 141; and (j) the Commissioner in his discretion may under clause 144 exempt any class of persons or premises from any of the provisions of the Act for specified periods.”
“The Commissioner is empowered under clause 82 to require employers to provide for their employees if the conditions or circumstances under which such employees work so warrant, suitable and sufficient facilities by way of mess rooms, rest rooms, canteens or changing rooms or to improve upon the same if the Commissioner considers the existing facilities inadequate. Under clause 83, the Commissioner may also direct the owner, occupier or lessee of any premises to take proper measures to control offensive conditions that may occur within his premises. Part XI (Offensive trades) re-enacts with amendments existing provisions for the licensing of premises used for purposes of the offensive trades set out in the Second Schedule. This is provided in clause 85. Clause 87 authorises the Commissioner to prohibit the use of any particular place or area for all or any of the purposes set out in the Second Schedule. Part XII (Swimming pools) provides for the first time for the licensing and control of swimming pools to which the public have access, whether or not admission is gained by payment. Within the ambit of this Part come swimming pools managed by hotels, clubs, associations or other organisations. The Commissioner may close swimming pools under certain specified circumstances as set out in clause 91. The Minister is empowered to make regulations to provide for standards of cleanliness, purity of water in swimming pools and for regulating the conduct of persons admitted thereto. Swimming pools owned by Government come within the scope of this Part except provisions regarding licensing and penalties.”
“Clause 67 provides that before approving plans, the Chief Building Surveyor may consult the Commissioner on the adequacy of sanitary conveniences provided for the new building. Owners of buildings will now be required under clauses 68 and 69 to make good insufficient and defective sanitary conveniences and to carry out necessary repairs and maintenance. Clause 70 provides that any building which is used as a workplace shall be provided with adequate and satisfactory sanitary conveniences as the Commissioner may deem fit. Clause 72 provides for the proper care of sanitary conve niences that are used in common by members of the public or by the employees or in common by two or more families. The obstruction, diversion, covering or any interference with any public drain or public water- course without prior approval in writing of the Com missioner is prohibited under clause 75. The construction and maintenance of private drains in a satisfactory state is provided for in clause 76. Part X (General health requirements for buildings) contains a new measure whereby the Chief Building Surveyor may, under clause 80, consult the Commissioner on the health and sanitary requirements of any new buildings before approving any plans and specifications thereto, and, in so far as is possible, to give effect to any advice that may be tendered by the Commissioner. Clause 81 requires the owner or occupier or the lessee of any building to which the public have access to keep such building or portion thereof in a clean condition.”
“The Minister is empowered under clause 48 to make regulations covering various matters relating to the control of food establishments like preparation, storage, transport and sale of food and to secure the observance of hygienic conditions and practices in connection therewith. Part VII (Public Nuisance) generally re-enacts with some amendments and heavier penalties existing provisions relating to public nuisances. Its scope has been widened to include pollution of reservoirs used for the storage of water for public consumption. Where any nuisance arises from any want or defect of structural character, this shall be dealt with by the Chief Building Surveyor under clause 49. Part VIII (Insanitary buildings and obstructive buildings) confers more efficacious powers to deal with (a) premises which are in a filthy or unwholesome state or overgrown with rank vegetation or in an insanitary state as to be a danger to the health of the persons in the premises or in the neigh bourhood; (b) houses or buildings requiring to be cleansed, lime-washed or disinfected for sanitary reasons; and (c) rat or vermin infested premises constituting a health hazard. Medical officers of health and public health engineers may in all these cases direct the owner or occupier by notice in writing to take such measures as are considered necessary, and on non - compliance with the notice, to execute the measures specified in the notice and to recover costs and expenses thereby incurred by the person in default. Such action may be taken without prejudice to any proceedings against the offender and whether before or after the commencement or conclusion of such proceedings. Part IX (Sanitary conveniences, drains, sewers and wells) contains a number of new provisions.”
“Part IV (Markets) provides for the proper licensing and control of public markets as well as private markets, including the medical examination and immunisation of stall-holders. At the moment, the law for the control of private markets is inadequate. Besides, stall-holders are not permitted under clause 35 to erect any extension or effect any alteration to any stall in any market without the permission of the Commissioner. Clause 36 imposes the responsibility on licensees and stall-holders to keep markets and stalls in a clean and sanitary condition and penalties for failure to take such steps. In case of default the Commissioner can carry out the work and recover costs and expenses. Part V (Hawkers) contains effective provisions for the control of hawkers. Clause 38 specifically prohibits hawkers from hawking within 50 yards of a market, school, hospital, government dispensary, clinic, place of worship or police station. Food hawkers will be required to be medically examined and immunised against infectious diseases. The provisions with regard to the licensing and control of hawkers operating stalls and itinerant hawkers have been re- enacted with some amendments in clauses 40 and 41. Part VI (Food Establishments) provides for the licensing of food establishments (as defined) as set out in the First Schedule to the Bill and contains provisions which ensure a more effective and rational approach on this subject. Similar provisions with regard to the employment of persons suffering from infectious diseases and also their medical examination and immunisation against infectious diseases have been incorporated.”
“With the increase in multi-storey developments where removal of refuse is by means of a refuse chute, the responsibility for maintaining such refuse chutes has been placed on the owners of any building or part thereof served by such chute. This is laid down in clause 17. Clause 19 provides that the occupier of any house or premises who keeps or allows any refuse or filth to be kept for more than 48 hours, causing a nuisance to neighbours, will be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500, and to a further fine not exceeding $50 for every day during which the offence is continued after conviction. There is an expressed prohibition in clause 22 against unauthorised collection of nightsoil and against refusal of any service provided by the Commis sioner for the collection and removal of nightsoil. The sale of nightsoil is prohibited in clause 23. As I have said just now, for the first time, comprehensive provisions against littering and depositing refuse in public places (as defined) and, interalia, against drying of food, spilling earth, throwing or leaving behind any bottle, food container, etc., in public places are contained in clause 26. These offences render a person liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $500, and in case of a second and subsequent conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000. A more severe penalty for a first offence will be imposed on any person who, during building operations, deposits building materials, etc., in public places or fails to take reasonable precautions to prevent the danger to the life or well-being of persons using the public places or from such things as falling dust or fragments. This is laid down in clause 27. For speedy enforcement, any person contravening clause 26 or 27 is liable to be ticketed.”
“In view of the omnibus nature of the Bill, the Minister is empowered to appoint different dates for the coming into operation of the different Parts or the provisions thereof. Part II (Administration) deals with the manner in which the Act is to be administered. The overall professional direction will be vested in the Public Health Authority consisting of the senior professional health officials of the Ministry. This is provided in clause 3. The Act itself will be administered by a "Commissioner of Public Health", who, under clause 4, will be assisted by such Deputy and Assistant Commis sioner as may be necessary. Provisions have been made in clause 5 for the appointment of one or more public health engineers, in clause 6 for public health auxiliaries and other employees, and in clause 7 for the appointment of committees. Part III (Public Cleansing) deals with all aspects of public cleansing in an urban setting - cleansing of public streets, private streets, removal of trade refuse and the collection and removal of refuse and nightsoil. The Commissioner is empowered, under clause 12, to make applicable systems for the collection and removal of refuse and nightsoil. To facilitate the removal of refuse particularly from blocks of flats, housing estates, industrial complexes and the like, provisions have been made in clause 16 whereby the Commissioner may require any developer (as defined) or owner or owners of any premises or group of premises to provide or construct at their expense dustbins and other convenient receptacles and for refuse bin centres to be constructed at appropriate situations within the property wherein may be placed dustbins and other receptacles.”
“(f) With the increasing and intense urban development of Singapore towards multi-storey structure, funeral parlours will come into more prominence though at present this is only an incipient problem. Hence, provisions have been made to regulate funeral parlours (Part XIII). The fact that funeral parlours come under Part XIII is purely incidental. (g) Another innovation is the efficacious power given to the Commissioner, the Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Engineer to execute the necessary works specified in a notice in the event of failure to comply by the persons on whom such notice had been served and, what is more important, the power to recover costs and expenses of such works. Such action can be taken without prejudice to any proceedings that may be instituted against the offender, whether before or after the commencement or conclusion of such proceedings; this is important in the circumstances where the default or omission causes a nuisance or offence to the community at large. (h) To speed up enforcement action, powers have been given to the Commissioner to compound specified offences committed under this Act or any regulations made there under. Provisions are also made under certain sections for offenders to be ticketed. (i) For the first time comprehensive provisions with heavy penalties have been included to deal with littering by persons and from moving vehicles in public places. (j) There has been a general upward revision of penalties so that they are not only commensurate with the offence but also serve as a deterrent. The following is a more detailed review of the provisions of the new Bill: Part I (Preliminary) sets out the definitions necessary for purposes of the Bill.”
“I am taking this opportunity to highlight some of the notable features and innovations in the Bill: (a) An important feature of the new Bill is that every effort has been made to systematise and arrange the relevant sections into separate self-contained parts to enable easy reference and imple mentation. (b) The Public Health Authority and the Commissioner of Public Health shall work subject to the general or special directions of the Minister. A necessary separation of policy and professional functions from operational functions is being achieved as the public health responsibilities of Singapore are now too complex to be combined in one authority. This will enable the separa tion of line and staff functions and improve the day-to-day administration of the Act. These provisions are parallel to those in the recently enacted Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act. (c) Major changes have been brought in the provisions for public cleansing in Part III of the Bill to tackle the massive public cleansing problems in an urban community. (d) Part VI provides for the licensing of food establishments and contains provisions which ensure a more effective and rational approach. The existing laws are not very satisfactory as there was overlap between different legislation (e.g., the Food and Drugs Ordinance); moreover, their content was also inadequate. (e) Part XII seeks to regulate and control swimming pools and public swimming pools (as defined) by licensure: no control now exists and it is felt that if these remain un- checked, they will grow into a serious health hazard in the future. The extent of eye-infection and other infections from such swimming pools is on the increase.”
“It took one year to prepare the Environmental Public Health Bill. Every single clause has been carefully considered in terms of present and future health needs. The relevant laws in other countries were looked into, that is, the British Public Health Act, the New Zealand Public Health Act and the New York City Health Code. The Bill covers all fields of environmental health action except for air pollution and water pollution. While it was felt that the pollution of the atmosphere is serious, it has not yet assumed proportions of a major public health problem. The subject of water pollution will be dealt with in a separate Bill. The main purpose of the Bill is to integrate the environmental health functions of the Public Health Division and to consolidate the services of public cleansing, markets, hawkers, food establishments, general health licensing and environ mental sanitation and hygiene into a single co- ordinated and cohesive code to be implemented by a unified authority. The weaknesses of the present legislation have been tightened, and recent advances and trends in public health practice have been incorporated. Briefly, a realistic approach to the present-day needs of Singapore was followed, that is, bringing the law up- to-date without necessarily discarding such legislative provisions as have been found to be sound, workable and have stood the test of time. However, where existing provisions have been required to be revised, re-drafted and denuded of ambiguity, this has been done so that within the umbrella of one compendious Bill, all necessary provisions relating to environmental health have been systematised.”
“Besides, there must also be a painstaking reappraisal of what may be called health standards or conditions or requirements. These cannot be viewed in isolation but in the context of the fabric of our local life, and are by the very nature of things relative to the aspirations of the community at a given time. This calls for a realistic and pragmatic approach. But whatever these may be, once decided, these values will have to be clearly spelt out and codified so that their implementation would be uniform and fair. Once agreed, they should be generally applicable and should not be the subject of bargaining or ad hoc modification. The Environmental Public Health Bill which is before Parliament and the various subsidiary legislation to be made under it have been drafted with the philosophy I have just outlined. The Environmental Public Health Act seeks to replace Part IV of the Local Government Integration Ordinance, 1963, which contained the relevant provisions concerned with the maintenance of environmental health. It would interest Members to know that the old provisions are essentially similar to the Municipal Ordinance (Cap. 133 o the 1936 Edition) which was itself first enacted in 1913. Subsequent amendments to it were made to keep in line with the various administrative changes in the Local Government, but these did not affect or alter the contents and the principles of public health practice as provided for by the said Ordinance and, hence, they have become quite apparently obsolescent. What is more interesting is that the Municipal Ordinance itself was based on the British Public Health Act of 1897 - Members will know that that was the time of Queen Victoria. The British Public Health Act has subsequently been re-enacted three times.”
“The Destruction of Disease-Bearing Insects Act, 1968, was passed by Parliament on 1st August, 1968, and brought into force on 1st September, 1968. Today, you have before you the Environmental Public Health Bill in this series of measures to update health legislation and improve our public health standards. Attention will next be directed to the revision and updating of the Quarantine and Prevention of Disease Ordinance, an Ordinance nearly 40 years old in conception; this controls the introduction and spread of infectious diseases both from outside and within the Republic. As stated earlier, the basic needs and problems faced by the Public Health Division are in the field of environmental health services - public cleansing, anti-mosquito and other vector control, public health nuisances, uncoordinated building development and pockets of sub-standard environment within the urban area. These problems are the result of multiple factors, some of which are within the Public Health Division's sphere of influence and competence to tackle, but others are not. Briefly, we in Singapore are facing the results of rapid urbanisation and socio-political changes. It has been acutely felt that the health officials were working with outmoded legislation which was formulated for a past colonial era. In order to solve the present and future public health problems on a long-term basis, there is a need for an entirely new dynamic and radical approach, one aspect of which is a thorough and complete revision of all the principal and subsidiary legislation governing matters of public health. In this revision, the changed political and social circumstances, as well as the behaviour patterns and attitudes of our local population, must be taken into account.”
“These officers in charge of sectors in turn come under a health officer who is in charge of the whole district. There is, therefore, a clear line of command and responsibility. Thus, the familiar game of "passing the buck" was eliminated. It was also an exercise of integration of the public health inspectorate with the public cleansing department as well as of decentralisation and the giving of more powers to the persons in the field. Improvement was further enhanced by the introduction of round-the-year public cleansing also in August this year. I am glad to say that there is also now a greater awareness and appreciation among the various Government departments of the interaction of facets and sectors of the total environment and of the fact that resultant health problems may originate from other sources. All these efforts have contributed to a Singapore which is visibly cleaner than it was, not only two years ago but ten months ago. Of course, there is still much more to be done. As I have said previously, this war against filth and squalor is a relentless one and requires all the grit, the stamina and the persistence in order to triumph. Needless to say, good and adequate legislation is one of the principal tools, for the successful execution of any public health programme involving the community as a whole. Members will remember that in the addendum to the President's Speech at the opening of Parliament in April this year, it was stated that the public health legislation was being consolidated into a comprehensive Environmental Health Code, capable of maintaining the highest standards of public health that is required in a modern complex urban society.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The improvement in the quality of our urban environment and the transformation of Singapore into a garden city - a clean and green city - is the declared objective of the Government. In October, a month-long campaign to "Keep Singapore Clean" was launched and carried out successfully; the enthusiastic response and support of the people in all walks of life was tremendous. The message did certainly get down to the people. During the past three years, my Ministry has taken a number of positive measures to cope with and overcome the many problems that have been a severe deterrent to efforts to improve the quality of the environment. The problems associated with indiscipline of labour, overtime rackets and labour-union interference in management matters have been, to a large extent, resolved between 1966 and 1967 -that is past history. It culminated in the abortive daily-rated strike of 1967 which gave the Ministry of Health an effective basis to push ahead with the initial phase of reorganisation. Consequent to the tightening of super vision of the work force, there was some increase in the efficiency and productivity in public cleansing work. However, real improvement began with the implementation of the reorganisation of the Environmental Health Branch in August this year. This reorganisation involved the division of our whole island into districts which were further sub-divided into sectors and each sector was put in the charge of a public health inspector or a senior public health assistant who is the officer-in-charge of the sector. Under him are a number of public health assistants, the public health overseers, the mandores and the beat labourers.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, I beg to move, That the proceedings of the Environmental Public Health Bill set down on the Order Paper for today be exempted at today' sitting from the provision of Standing Order No. 1. The purpose of my motion is to enable the Environmental Public Health Bill to be proceeded with after eight o'clock tonight, on the termination of Supply Business set down for today. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That the proceedings on the Environmental Public Health Bill set down on the Order Paper for today be exempted at today's sitting from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1. ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST JANUARY, 1969, TO 31ST MARCH, 1970 Order read for resumed consideration in Committee of Supply [2nd Allotted Day]. Resumption of debate on Question (13th December, 1968), "That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0501 be reduced by $100."- [Madam Chan Choy Siong]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 3.00 p.m. Head 0501 -”
“This is because the benefits and profits derived from Toto are not entire ly used for the construction of the National Sports Complex. Some of the benefits are enjoyed by Singapore Pools (Private) Limited. Why should the Government allow this organisation to continue in existence? Finally, I submit once again that Toto should be discontinued. 6.15 p.m.”
“If we feel that the National Sports Complex is so important in building a rugged society, then there should be adequate provision in the Budget for the construction of this sports complex. But why is it that it is not adequately provided in the Budget? This is rather ridiculous. If our Minister for Finance is unable to make adequate provision and calculate the cost of construction of the National Sports Complex, then we should try to raise funds from sports enthusiasts and rich businessmen who are interested in sports. We can persuade them and other philanthropists to donate money for the construction of the National Sports Complex, or alternatively, our Minister can set up a National Sports Fund Committee, along the same lines as the National Theatre Trust, to raise funds for this purpose. This National Sports Fund Committee will be empowered to raise funds for the purpose of constructing the National Sports Complex. This will be a better way than trying to obtain money through Toto. In my view, 85 per cent of the money comes from the poor people who bet on Toto. This means that the con struction of the National Sports Complex will be financed by the poor people to the extent of 85 per cent. That being so, cannot we raise funds from some other sources? Why should we try to' fleece the poor at the expense of our innocent youths who will be open to the temptation of gambling, with all its dangers and ill effects? We all know that gambling is a sign of decay in a nation. We should not allow our young people to indulge in this most undesirable and decadent practice. We must abolish it. In conclusion, I feel that Toto should not be allowed to continue in Singapore.”
“On the other hand, there are other more serious problems arising out of Toto. For instance, our innocent students are involved. As Toto is a legalised and open form of gambling, many students take an interest in it with the idea of having some fun. So they make use of their pocket money, which is meant for better purposes, to bet on Toto. I have received several letters in which the parents of these students complain about Toto. They say that their children take part in the game and they express anxiety for their children if Toto is allowed to continue. Mr Speaker, Sir, if the opinion is that Toto is not harmful to students, then I cannot understand why I have received such complaints from the parents. If we go further into the problem of Toto, we find ourselves faced with these questions. What will happen if a student strikes the first prize in Toto and what use will he make of the money? Does it mean that he will discontinue his studies and enjoy life on the prize money, or will he invest it in the Jurong Industrial Estate? We do not have sufficient safeguards for our security. We know that in the past few months someone who was said to have won the first prize was followed closely by would-be extortioners, kidnappers or blackmailers. He received several ransom notes and before he got his prize money he kicked the bucket. These are some of the problems arising out of the introduction of Toto to which we should pay attention. Must we encourage our people to gain money by unhealthy means? Singapore is a young country. We can say that it is like a three-year old child who needs a great deal of nutrition and healthy thinking to enrich his mind in order that he may tread the path to a great future when he grows up.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament do now adjourn. Question proposed. DISCONTINUATION OF TOTO 6.00 p.m. Madam Chan Choy Siong (Delta)(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, several month have elapsed since the Government in this House approved the introduction of Toto. After a close analysis and observation of Toto and the various reactions towards it, we have discovered one feature which is quite contradictory lo the purpose for which Toto was introduced by Government. This was to provide some kind of game for the public in order to raise funds from them for use in the construction of the National Sports Complex. Briefly, that was the original aim in introducing Toto. As everybody knows, the main aim of the construction of the National Sports Complex is to provide a suitable place and adequate facilities for the training of our youths in the field of sports, which is in line with our national slogan of building a robust society. However, from the operation of Toto at the present juncture, we can see for ourselves that the trend is that we will finally end up with a loss instead of a gain. This is because Toto, as it is now, has become a form of gambling open to the public. Irrespective of their age, they indulge in this game. We can see that they come from the public service and other walks of life. Members of the civil service are so preoccupied with Toto that they do not pay much attention to their work. I have come across one case like this. A member of the civil service was on the phone and was asking what were the best numbers for the day. As a result of this, he might have neglected his duties. This was only a chance dis covery on my part. There are many other cases which may not have been discovered.”
“However, by doing so, it would mean that the control of advertisements would extend to prohibiting certain legitimate name-plates used by medical and dental practitioners or sign boards of clinics or dispensaries where such professional practitioners work. Obviously, it is not the intention to prohibit such legitimate sign-boards or name-plates. Therefore, an exemption c1ause (clause 8) has been added in order to give the power to the Minister to determine which advertisements may be exempted from the provisions of the Bill. It is obviously impossible to define the limits of advertisements when they would come under control, and when they do not. Rather than making frequent amendments to the law, which will require the complex procedure of introduction and passage through Parliament, the Minister is given the discre tion to determine the classes of advertisements which are exempted from time to time. A body of case practice will eventually be formed which will help to determine the application of the law and its regulations and define what may be advertised and what may not be advertised. The passage of this Bill will provide for more effective control over advertisements on medical matters which have not been possible under the original Ordinance. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. ADJOURNMENT TO A LATER DAY MOTION Resolved, "That at its rising this day Parliament do stand adjourned to 9th December, 1968."-[Mr Chua Sian Chin]. ADJOURNMENT MOTION”
“The amendment will, therefore, reinforce the hand of physicians of the Chinese school which will now be able to reinforce their stand by law. Some reservations were expressed on the banning of advertisements entirely. A suggestion was that "exaggerated" advertisements only should be prohibit ed, but advertisements might be allowed if they are not more than 10 square inches and limited to giving the practitioner's name and address. Another suggested that only "genuine" practitioners, in contra-distinction to the bogus practitioners, may be allowed to advertise. These, of course, are unrealistic. It is impossible to define when an advertisement is exaggerated or otherwise, and there is no real way of distinguishing the so- called "genuine" from the "bogus" physicians, especially those who claim to practise the various systems of Eastern medicine which are traditional, without set standards of training, examinations, or disciplinary bodies. Two minor amendments have been made to the Bill in the Select Committee. Clause 2 adds to the definition of an advertisement with the expression "and any other form of advertising". The amendment was made following the representation of the Pharmacists' Association. The Secretary of the Pharmacists' Association had drawn attention to an ambiguity in the definition of "advertisement". In the original Ordinance the definition of "advertise ment" was adequate to control advertisements for the listed conditions. As the amendment Bill extends the control of advertisements to prohibit personal advertisements, that is, advertisements referring to a person's ability or skills, or services offered, it is necessary to extend the definition of "advertisement" accordingly.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. "That the Bill be now read a Third time." The two major provisions embodied in the Bill to control advertisements have come through unchanged. These are: (i) The prohibition of advertisements in clause 3 on medicines, remedies or appliances for the treatment of certain medical conditions listed in the schedule. And the sale of medicines is specifically controlled under the provi sion of clause 7 which requires the disclosure of the active ingredients of the medicine on the label. The label to be written in English as well as the language of the origin of the medicine. (ii) The prohibition of advertisements relating to a person's medical skills or services. The prohibition of self-advertisement and advertisements for the treatment of certain conditions forms the core of the Bill. They are necessary for the effective control of the more flag rant and exaggerated claims which mislead and exploit the sufferings and anxieties of our people by unscrupulous people. These two provisions were not seriously challenged and have generally been accepted in principle. In fact, there was one written representation which stated that the ban on advertisements should extend to all diseases or medical conditions. The purpose, however, of the Bill is to control effectively the more flagrant and exaggerated advertisements which are commonly published and which purport to offer cures and effective treatment of conditions which would probably be best left to trained professional persons or be undertaken in medical institutions. The Chinese Physicians' Association have declared themselves in support of the prohibition of self- advertisements and advertisements for services. In their case, they are handicapoed by the lack of a disciplinary board.”
“ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed." - [Mr Chua Sian Chin]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-five minutes past Seven o'clock to a date to be fixed.”
“* The motion reads as follows: That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Ordinance (Chapter 55), resolves that the Schedule to the said Ordinance be amended by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following: - "Principal Probation Officer. Chief Probation and Aftercare Officer". The Departmental Titles (Alteration) Ordinance provides for the substitution of new titles or names of officers where there has been a change of departmental title. Section 3 of the Ordinance provides that Parliament may, by resolution, add to or amend the Schedule to the Ordinance. The change of title from "Principal Probation Officer" to "Chief Probation and After-care Officer" is the result of the implementation of the recommendation of the Prisons Inquiry Commission, 1960, wherein the probation service of the Social Welfare Department was reconstituted with effect from 1st January, 1967, as the Probation and Aftercare Department of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The change of title in the Schedule to the Ordinance will enable the powers and duties of the Principal Probation Officer in the Probation of Offenders Ordinance, 1951 (No. 27 of 1951) and other legislation to be exercised by the Chief Probation and Aftercare Officer. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Ordinance (Chapter 55), resolves that the Schedule to the said Ordinance be amended by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following: - " Principal Chief Probation and Probation Aftercare Officer". Officer.”
“The Member for Delta has also another good suggestion - that we should hold a competition to name the cleanest streets in Singapore. But we have an even better suggestion. We shall not only name the ten cleanest streets but also the ten dirtiest streets in Singapore, and woe betide hon. Members within whose constituencies those ten dirtiest streets might happen to be! Finally, may I say something about the provisions on compensation? It is stated in clause 19 of the Bill that no compensation will be paid for any expense incurred or damage occasioned by any act done in pursuance of the provisions of the Bill unless such damage has been occasioned maliciously or without reasonable cause. In such matters as control of mosquitoes, flies and disease-bearing insects, such a provision is necessary. I can assure hon. Members that, in the exercise of their duties, my officials will be instructed to handle with care the property of the occupiers on whose premises they conduct an inspection, and that they will be given strict instructions that they should not take any action which will unnecessarily result in damage to property. 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. DEPARTMENTAL TITLES 7.23 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 the motion* standing in my Minister's name on the Order Paper.”
“If the Member for Joo Chiat says that cockroaches are disease-bearing insects, then by definition they must come within the purview of the Bill. He is a medical man and as he has given an expert opinion, I will accept that. Therefore, cockroaches are included in the Bill. As far as rats are concerned, I agree with him that we must first catch the rats in order to get at the fleas. It is not that the Ministry of Health have not in mind a rat-catching campaign, but they must first deal with the disposal of rubbish. We will launch this anti-litter campaign in October and I assure hon. Members that as soon as we finish with that, we will go on to cockroaches, rats and so on. I am sure many hon. Members here who are young and energetic will certainly co-operate and support us physically in our rat-catching campaign. I also hope that the Member for Ulu Pandan, who is past 55 years, will also support us in the rat-catching campaign. The Member for Serangoon Gardens has said that certain provisions in the Bill, when implemented, might result in unbridled enthusiasm on the part of my Ministry's officials. I will be very happy if that is the case. The Member for Delta, on the other hand, has expressed some misgivings that this campaign, although announced, might not come off at all. I assure her and other hon. Members that it will be conducted with vigour, and this time I hope we shall succeed. As for the suggestion by the Member for Delta about seeking the aid of all civic organisations, that is certainly what we have in mind in our October campaign. We will be seeking their participation and if they have a mass following, we shall invite them to participate.”