E.W. Barker
Singapore
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." This is a simple Bill which seeks to amend section 33 of the Land Acquisition Act on the amount of compensation payable to owners of land compulsorily acquired under the Act.”
“For the five-year period from 1st July, 1981 to 30th June, 1986, the HDB demolished a total of 8,098 units. As the HDB's new accounting system was only implemented from 1st April, 1985, the Board does not have ready information on the value of flats demolished prior to 1st April, 1985. RELOCATION OF CREMATORIUMS 4.”
“The HDB did not allocate any MP's office to the previous PAP MPs for Anson and Potong Pasir constituencies. NUMBER OF H.D.B. UNITS DEMOLISHED 3.”
“I would not know. Why don't you ask them? I don't know. Sir, to put things in a nutshell, it is the legal profession amongst all the professions that help in the administration of Singapore. Doctors help to cure you of diseases.”
“I am not saying it's wrong. I am not telling you stories. I am relating. So they decided to take us on. When we went into Select Committee, the first day and the later part of the second day, there was confrontation between the Committee and the lawyers.”
“As the Member for Anson would know, the Minister for Law is not in charge of prosecutions or the conduct of any criminal proceedings in court, nor does he give any directives on these matters.”
The complete record
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, the Bill that is before the House seeks to amend the Fisheries Act (Chapter 294 of the Revised Edition) with a view to providing a more exemplary penalty for trawl-net fishing within the territorial waters of Singapore. Trawler operations of late have increased to such an extent that they are not merely a destructive nuisance but have deprived many a coastal fisherman of his livelihood. Furthermore this method of fishing, whereby a vessel tows a net shaped like an open bag, is to be particularly condemned because of the manner in which immature and unmarketable fish, prawns and other forms of marine life are destroyed, when used in our shallow coastal waters. In addition to taking away almost everything in its path, the trawl-net drags away and destroys the fishing gear of our coastal fishermen and breaks their lines and nets. These operations have resulted in numerous complaints being made to the authorities, and despite a series of raids carried out to apprehend trawlers fishing within our territorial waters, this method of fishing has not abated. Hon. Members who are aware of this problem have no doubt looked up the Fisheries Act only to find that the legislation has provided relatively light sentences for such offences. This is because coastal water trawling commenced only a few years ago with only a few trawlers operating. But their numbers have since increased sufficiently to constitute a problem. One of the main reasons for the increase of such activity is the fact that the penalties imposed by the courts were not sufficient to constitute a deterrent, so that convicted trawler men continued to repeat the offence.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Since the publication of the eight volumes of the 1970 Revised Edition of Statutes, certain printing and other minor errors appearing therein have come to light, and this Bill is designed to rectify these errors. 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 E. W. Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. FISHERIES (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 5.43 p.m.”
“Sir, in connection with the Kranji/Pandan Reservoir, a committee has, in fact, been set up about three months ago to look into the problems of farmers who will be affected by this scheme. This committee comprises some high-ranking civil servants from my Ministry and the Ministry of the Environment, and it is headed by the Minister of State for the Environment. However, the committee has not completed its investigations and deliberations; but I expect to receive another report soon. By "soon", I do not mean next week; it will probably take a month or two. JURONG TOWN REGISTRATION FOR PRIMARY I ADMISSIONS (Proximity to homes for resident children) 4. Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Education what steps the Government proposes to take to ensure that children living in Jurong Town and registered for admission to Primary One classes in 1974 will not be placed in schools far away from Jurong Town.”
“Sir, in an open economy like Singapore's, with no hinterland, the Government cannot subsidise any particular sector of the economy. Small farmers should get together to form more efficient farming units, by sharing the cost of sanitary amenities in order to prevent water pollution. Large scale pig farming is also more efficient, as it reduces overheads, that is to say, by buying animal feed in bulk, employing less workers to look after pigs, lower cost of veterinary services, and other economies of scale, which have made the big scale pig farmers more prosperous. Small scale farming must lose out to more efficient large scale farming. So the small farmers must either get together or face unequal competition and be relentlessly on the losing side.”
“Sir, I expect the committee to submit its report within a week's time, when their recommendations will he made to the Government. Whether or not the committee will recommend increased rates, I do not know. I will have to wait for one week. FARMERS (Subsidy for sanitary amenities) 3. Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Law and National Development if the Government will consider subsidising the small farmers, who are financially weak, in the construction of sanitary amenities according to required specifications, so that pollution of water sources can be prevented and the farmers can still carry on their means of livehood.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the rising cost of living was taken into consideration when the rate of ex-gratia compensation for people affected by resettlement was substantially increased by as much as over 100 per cent in July 1971. The resettlement policy is under constant review. At present a committee is studying the position and is expected to make its recommendations to the Government soon.”
“ACCIDENTS INVOLVING STATUTORY BOARD VEHICLES(Cols 1141-1142)”
“It is now proposed to widen the existing stone mole and extend the reclamation areas by another 370 acres, as shown edged in red on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 6/73". A copy of this reclamation plan is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of hon. Members. Thus, together with the 165 acres already approved and under reclamation (shown edged in blue on the plan), a total of 535 acres of reclaimed land will become available. The project will enable some 66 acres to be set aside for the Expressway and local roads, about 79 acres for public, social and cultural amenities, including landscaped walkways, car parks, hospital and school sites and even a centre for performing arts, 105 acres for commercial usage and condominium housing, and the remaining 285 acres for open spaces and promenades. Sites for commercial and residential development will be sold by auction to private developers. The fill required for the reclamation, which will be undertaken by the Urban Renewal Authority as agent of the Government and is expected to be completed in about five years' time at a total estimated cost of about $294 million, will be obtained from the Johore Shoals. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshore and seabed at Telok Ayer Basin and off Nicoll Highway containing a total area of approximately 370 acres as shown edged in red on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 6/73", which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. MIGRATION STATISTICS (REVOCATION) RULES, 1973 3.33 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name, as it appears on the Order Paper. * The motion, standing in the name of the Minister for Law and National Development, reads as follows: That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshore and seabed at Telok Ayer Basin and off' Nicoll Highway containing a total area of approximately 370 acres as shown edged in red on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 6/73" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. Sir, the intensive construction of buildings in the central area, especially along Shenton Way and in the "Golden Shoe" area, necessitates early action to expand the road capacity and improve the traffic flow system in the vicinity. A coastal expressway, called the East Coast Parkway, is under construction on the reclaimed land from Bedok to Tanjong Rhu. The Jurong Expressway on the west coast, starting from the Anson Road/Keppel Road junction, will be built to link the central area to Jurong. To join these two expressways to form a freeway from east to west, skirting the city centre, it is planned to extend the East Coast Parkway across Kallang Basin out to the sea on to the existing detached stone mole, or break-water, and then back to land through Telok Ayer Basin to the Jurong Expressway at the Anson Road/Keppel Road junction. This system will enclose a large span of water at the seafront and create a 220-acre lagoon. Members will recall that in November, 1967, approval was given by this House for the reclamation of 165 acres of foreshore and seabed off Nicoll Highway.”
“The house immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr E. W. Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. RECLAMATION AT TELOK AYER BASIN AND OFF NICOLL HIGHWAY 3.29 p.m.”
“Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The amendments proposed in the Bill are designed to make the legislation more effective and to meet present day requirements in the light of rapid building development in the Republic. Under the Bill, owners of lands with outstanding mortgages may surrender their lands for the re-issue of new titles without having to discharge the mortgages at the time of surrender, and new titles when re-issued may be endorsed with any outstanding mortgages. The Bill also enables the Registrar to direct by various methods that lands approved for erection of buildings (intended to be dealt with in parts) may be brought under the Torrens system prior to the granting of subdivisional approval of the buildings. The Bill also gives additional powers to the Registrar to enter cautions on certificates of title issued for lands which have not yet been surveyed up to the standard of government requirements and to call a party to an instrument to appear before him for purposes of verifying the party's identity where the party is not represented by a lawyer. The Bill also provides that any proprietor of land who has altered his name may execute instruments under his new name different from that in the certificate of title and that an amended caveat will be given priority as soon as it is received in the Registry, and not on the date of its notification on the relevant certificate of title. Other amendments considered desirable from the drafting point of view and for improved administrative operations, have also been included in the Bill. 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.”
“Sir, such consideration is being given. ESTATE DUTY (Remission for sole family house) 10. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing amending legislation to remit estate duty on a house which is the only one owned by the deceased, if the house is continued to be occupied by the family of the deceased.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Housing and Development Board is finalising a scheme to allow tenants or flat owners with small families living in three, four or five-room flats to sublet their flats not only to Singapore citizens but also to permanent residents and to work permit holders. Mr J. F. Conceicao (Katong): Mr Speaker, Sir, in these measures that are being finalised, is consideration being given to ensure that the rents charged by the owners or by the tenants are not exorbitant but within reasonable limits? There are already indications that high rents may be the result.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member should direct his question to the Minister in charge. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Subletting of flats) 9. Mr Cheong Yuen Chee asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether the Housing and Development Board will consider allowing tenants or flat owners to sublet their flats if the would-be subtenants are on the waiting list for the Board's flats.”
“Sir, it depends on who he is working for, what quarters he is occupying, and who is the acquiring authority.”
“By "public officers", we mean public officers working in the civil service, and not officers in the statutory boards like the Port of Singapore Authority or the Public Utilities Board who have their own quarters. Their problems are really the problems of the particular authority concerned.”
“The answer is no. Mr N. Govindasamy: Sir, if a public officer does not retire but he has to vacate his quarters because it is to be taken over by the Government, would he be granted priority in the allocation of Housing Board flats?”
“Sir, the answer I gave just now is that not one qualified public officer has been refused priority. In fact, they do not have to wait very long because they are granted priority. If they are not granted priority, then they would have to wait three or four years. Priority means that they get the flats before others do.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, under the existing policy only retiring public officers who are required to vacate Government quarters upon retirement are granted priority for the purchase or rental of Housing Board flats. Up to the 31st March last, a total of 374 such officers were granted priority. Not one qualified applicant has, in fact, been refused such priority. It is not considered necessary to accord priority to such retiring public officers one year prior to retirement because they are only required to vacate their quarters when they retire.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion standing in my name, That this Parliament resolves in accordance with subsection (4) of section 3 of the Audit Act (Chapter 60) that the salary of the Auditor-General shall be $3,500 per month with effect from 1st March, 1973. Sir, with the recent revision of salaries in the Civil Service, it is intended to pay the Auditor-General the salary that I have just mentioned. Section 3 of the Audit Act provides for the appointment of the Auditor-General by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister. Subsection (4) further provides that the Auditor-General shall be paid such remuneration and allowance as may from time to time be determined by this House. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament resolves in accordance with subsection (4) of section 3 of the Audit Act (Chapter 60) that the salary of the Auditor-General shall be $3,500 per month with effect from 1st March, 1973. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed."-[Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-nine minutes past Three o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed. Appendix to Statement by the Prime Minister(Cols 1091-2)(Cols 1109-1110)”
“The construction works and dredging to be undertaken by the Company as agent of the Government, and estimated to cost the Company about $5 million, however, require approval of this House under section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270). Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the construction by Government of a jetty and berth within the fore-shore and seabed at Jurong containing approximately 29 acres edged red and yellow and the dredging of the several portions of seabed coloured orange on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN No. 4/73" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. SALARY OF AUDITOR-GENERAL 3.27 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name as it appears on the Order Paper. * The motion reads as follows: `That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the construction by Government of a jetty and berth within the fore-shore and seabed at Jurong containing approximately 29 acres edged red and yellow and the dredging of the several portions of seabed coloured orange on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 4/73" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.' Sir, the GATX Terminals (Private) Limited (a joint venture between the Jurong Town Corporation, Port of Singapore Authority, INTRACO and the General American Transport Corporation of the United States) has been allocated a site shown edged purple on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 4/73" (a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of hon. Members). The site is for the construction of a terminal to provide storage facilities for bulk chemicals required to meet the needs of our local industries. The Company has now applied for the allocation of the foreshore and seabed shown edged red on the plan for the docking of bulk tankers to discharge their liquid cargo to the storage tanks to be constructed at the terminal, and for permission to dredge the portions of the seabed shown coloured orange on the plan to provide the necessary depth for the berthing of tankers. As the area shown hatched black which falls within the area edged red now required by the Company has been allocated to Caltex Petroleum Terminal at Jurong, together with the area shown hatched blue, it is proposed to allocate in replacement the area shown edged yellow to Caltex for its berthing facilities.”
“Sir, it is very difficult to satisfy the Member. There is no need to specifically write it into the 13i11. If we wanted to direct this Bill at the private sector only, we would have said so and would have specifically exempted the Government or any statutory board from the provisions of this Bill. We have not done this, which means, as I said earlier, this Bill is all-embracing. 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 E. W. Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ROAD VEHICLES (SPECIAL POWERS) (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.00 p.m.”
“Sir, this Bill is all-embracing. There is nothing specific to put the Government or any statutory board outside the provisions of the Bill. Perhaps to keep the Member for Bras Basah happy, I will enlighten him. He has asked to whom should any notice be served? Well, in this case the Commissioner will have the duty, pleasant or unpleasant, of serving notice either on the Government or on the head of any statutory board, whether it is the Housing and Development Board, the Public Utilities Board, the Port of Singapore Authority, or even the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, if it owns and lets out property.”
“Under clause 5, the Commissioner may require deposits to be made within seven days by owners of buildings and common properties who fail to comply with his directions. Clause 7 provides for the recovery of costs and expenses incurred by the Commissioner from the owners of buildings and common property, as well as for the apportionment by the Commissioner of such costs and expenses amongst owners, if there is more than one, in such manner as the Commissioner thinks fit. Clause 11 empowers the Minister to make rules to provide, amongst other things, for the prescribing of proper standards of management and maintenance in respect of buildings and common property, and for the payment of deposits by any person erecting or constructing a building to ensure its proper management or maintenance and for the forfeiture of such deposits. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. 2.55 p.m.”
“Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Large numbers of high-rise flats and other buildings have been constructed in Singapore in recent years, and many of them are not properly managed and maintained. In many cases, the owners, management corporations or persons responsible for their maintenance and management have not been discharging their functions properly and have allowed the buildings to fall into disrepair. Steps have to be taken to ensure that this unsatisfactory position is rectified before it further deteriorates. With the encouragement of condominium development, the need to ensure that the buildings and the amenities and facilities shared in common are properly managed and maintained has now become even more urgent. It is therefore proposed to set up a public authority with appropriate powers to deal with this problem. It is to this end that this Bill is now before the House. Under the Bill, provision is made for the appointment of a Commissioner of Buildings who is empowered under clause 4 to direct the owners of buildings and common properties, which are not kept or maintained in a state of good and serviceable repair or in a proper and clean condition, to carry out the necessary maintenance and repairs. Failure to comply with the directions of the Commissioner will be an offence under the Bill, for which the penalty shall be a maximum fine of $5,000 with a continuing fine of up to $25 a day. If his directions are not complied with, the Commissioner may also carry out the maintenance and repairs to the buildings and common properties or authorise any other person to carry out the necessary work.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, during the period of one year from 1st March, 1972, to 28th February, 1973, the Housing and Development Board let out 8,480 units of flats. As at the 28th February, 1973, 24,977 applicants were registered on the waiting list for the rental of flats. Since the Board started the home ownership scheme, it has sold 46,055 units of flats. Applicants on the waiting list for the purchase of flats as at 28th February, 1973, total 56,387. In addition, as at that date, there were 1,196 tenants who desired to purchase the flats which were occupied by them. BILL INTRODUCED 2.35 p.m. LAND TITLES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Land Titles Act (Chapter 276 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. MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1973 TO 31ST MARCH, 1974 Order read for resumed consideration in Committee of Supply [6th Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 2.37 p.m. Head 1501 --”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Main and Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1973 to 31st March, 1974, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Sir, let me first assure the hon. Member for Punggol that the Ministry of National Development is not looking for an easy way out. At the request of many MPs, overhead bridges have been built. Having built the bridges, if pedestrains refue to use them, my Ministry cannot do anything except to pass legislation, which the hon. Member considers undesirable. As for the constructin of underpasses, this is very expensive and can be justified only in very special circumstances, e.g. under Anderson Bridge leading to Queen Elizabeth Walk. Even if funds are available, the feasibility of building and underpass will depend on the location and a number of technincal factors. Beyong that, Sir, I have nothing further to add, except that in my view it is desirable to build more overhead bridges. In fact, we intend to do so because some of out raods are becoming impasable to pedestrains. For example, if you want to cross Bukit Timah Road or Dunearn Roads, you only hope is the pedestrain bridge. And there are many schoools along both roads which require overhead bridges. If overhead bridges are used, then the number of accidents along roads over which these bridges are built will be cut down.”
“Sir, plans for the widening fo Sembawang Road, from Mandai Road junction to Admiralty Road junction, ar being finalised. Ther project is expected to commence in the later part of this year and will entail the clearance and resettlement fo many shop houses. The work willfirst commenceon the following stretches of unencumbered land - 10 1/4 m.s. Sembawang from Chye Kay Village 11 3/4 m.s. to Jalan Ulu Sembawang 12 1/2 m.s.; and from Admiralty Gate 13 m.s. to Admiralty Road 14 m.s. According to the census taken by the Resettlement Department on the 22nd Juanuary, 1971, the number of affected cases are as follows: Shopkeeper 156 Residential squatters 159 Industries 16 Offices 1 Hawkers stalls 63 Stores 11 Other establishments 8 Vacant houses 7 --- Total 421 === It will be some time before they are all moved. But let me assure the Member that as little inconvenience and hard ship as possible will be caused to these people. They will be given sufficient notice and, wherever possible, offered alterative suitable accommodation togeter with adequate compensation.”
“Sir, the answer to the second question is that it is not dangerous because the reclamation was completed some time ago and the earth is given time to settle. As to the first question, the road will run more or less parallel to the coastline, roughly about 150 feet to 200 feet from the seashore. It will not be exactly parallel to the coast because, as the Member knows, some parts, say, near Tanjong Rhu, are very narrow and some parts near Bedok are much wider. We intend to keep the stretch of land from Tanjong Rhu to Bedok, between the road and the sea coast, completely green and under shade for the pleasure of the Member.”
“Sir, the project is divided into three phases. Phase I, between Fort Road at the 7 1/2 m.s. of Upper East Coast Road, is in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of next year. Phase II, from Fort Road to Tanjong Rhu, will begin sometime this year, and is expected to be ready by 1975. Phase III, from the 7 1/2 m.s. Upper East Coast Road to Bedok, will begin next year. Completion date is around 1976.”
“Sir, I thank Members for their support. Somehow I feel that their remarks should have been addressed to a different Ministry. The Ministry of National Development, like the Members themselves, feels that more money should be allocated for projects of the URSC. Even the Chairman of the URSC would be happier if he had much more money to divide between the various constituencies and the various projects. Whether it is for water, electrification or roads, we have to divide this sum of $3.25 million amongst the various projects. If they do not think that the amount of $750,000 is enough for rural roads, let me assure them that though these divisions are made for the different items, money allocated for, say, water, if unspent, can be used for roads. And if one constituency does not use its funds, as Tanglin last year, the funds are re-allocated to another constituency. This goes round. Sometimes we spend more in one constituency than what has been allocated to it, and in some constituencies we spend less. The division is a fair one between the constituencies. We divide into rural, sub-rural, urban or suburban. Their ratio of 1: 3 : 5 is multiplied by population and area. Hence the allocation. As far as is possible, the rural areas get the most money. They grouse that this money is not enough - I am with them on this, and I thank them for their support in our efforts to get more money from the Ministry of Finance.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we have sounded the Jurong Town Corporation, and they are not willing to do so. All that I can do for the Member now is to put up his request again.”
“There is some misunderstanding on this matter. When the fish market was built, the Department erected three blocks of timber offices for the use of the fish merchants. I pursued the Member's request with the Department concerned. Their reply was that, provided the companies put up the buildings themselves, they would help to find a suitable site for them. In fact, a number of commercial companies engaged in the catching, auctioning and processing of fish have constructed their own offices in the Jurong fish port.”
“Can I ask the Member this: whom is the permanent office for?”
“It is impossible to check each and every person entering the market without causing a long queue and much inconvenience to the fish retailers who go to the market to buy fish. However, spot checks are made from time to time. The Member for Jurong can rest assured that the Department concerned will look into his further suggestion and try to improve the running of the port and the market.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, judging from the Member's remarks, the fishing port and fish market in Jurong have been successful, and that is why more space is required. First, the Member will be glad to know that a sum of $195,000 will be spent on extension work. The work started on 8th February and the completion date is around August this year. The extension work involves the construction of three more bays, each 70 feet by 120 feet, at the auction area of the Fish Auction Market. Secondly, there is provision of proper accommodation for six ice-crusher stalls which will replace the present temporary stalls sited at the end of the existing market. There will also be the installation of a salt water pump to pump water from the sea to facilitate more efficient cleaning of the market. As for the request of more space for the retailers, I am still pursuing that matter with the Ministry of Finance. I agree with the Member that more space should be provided, as some of the fishmongers are renting space from the authorised tenants and paying rather exorbitant rents. As for stealing at the market, there are several officers on duty there. At the peak auctioning period there are about 3,000 people mingling in the market. This is bound to lead to some squabbles and arguments between wholesalers and retailers. After all it is a fish market. There have been a few cases of theft of fish in the market. The gates of the port are manned by two security guards. These guards are retired Police officers, and their duties are to check persons entering the fishing port. However, as I have said, there are about 3,000 people each night, in addition to about 500 vehicles.”
“Sir, I would rather wait for the relevant amendment to be moved. So he has got to wait until the Member for Jurong moves the amendment.”
“The Member for Changi wanted an assurance from me. I am not prepared to give him that assurance. I did not make any speech in Changi. It was the Prime Minister who made the speech. I did not hear his speech nor have I been given any directions by him to increase these penalties. But Members should be satisfied with my assurance that I will instruct the Attorney-General to look into this matter with a view to enhancing penalties, whether it be fines or imprisonment and perhaps easier confiscation of vessels which have been caught for illegal trawling. Mr Teong Eng Siong(In Mandarin): Sir, I am glad to hear the Minister say that the Primary Production Department has gone into hydroponics and mushroom cultivation. I would like to know how soon can the results be made known. If it is made known one or two years later, by which time the vegetable prices would have gone up by $1 or $2, then it will be too late. Can the Minister tell this House something more about the hydroponics scheme?”
“Sir, there is a little misunderstanding between the Member for Sembawang and me. He agrees with me that there is no need for a permit. But in this particular case, he speaks of a Temporary Occupation Licence, which means that the land belongs to the State. The land may have been let out on licence not for the growing of orchids, so that if he wants to grow orchids, he seeks the permission of the Land Office who refers him to the Primary Production Department. And in this case, the Department recommended that the licence to grow orchids on the land should not be granted because Sembawang Station wants to enlarge. That is the reason. It has got nothing to do with permits generally for orchids. The Member also wants the Primary Production Department to grow vegetables. They are doing their best not to grow vegetables themselves, because if they do then they would be accused of competing unfairly with the poor farmers. What the Department has, in fact, done is to go into hydroponics and mushroom cultivation. This is a subject on which some amendments will be moved later. The Department has successfully grown fresh mushrooms, and if this can be cultivated on a commercial scale, it is good for Singapore. I would invite the Member for Sembawang to buy some of these mushrooms at about $3 or $4 a kati. This will be the best mushroom he has ever eaten!”
“The Member must realise that deep-sea fishing means a hard life, and not everyone is prepared to go out for weeks or months and then return to Singapore and to their family thereafter. As for flatted factories, I have not forgotten the remarks I made in this House last year. But my Ministry has made a recommendation to the Ministry of Finance for the setting up of flatted factories. It has gone to and fro, between National Development and Finance, and we have not got their approval as yet. It is not my practice to come here and put the blame on another Ministry. But as I have to answer the Member, all I can say is that National Development has not slipped on this proposal. We have made recommendations to Finance who are considering the matter. It is again a question of priority, and how much money they can afford to put aside for this project.”
“We do not want another 4,000 sheep going in and suffer another outbreak of the disease, causing all of them to be slaughtered. So a test period with few animals will have to be undergone. The Member for Jurong rightly complains about the ban of poultry, as a result of the foot and mouth disease in Singapore. But foreign bans are not within our control. Poultry is not affected by foot and mouth disease, nor are eggs. But if a foreign country decides to ban the import of our poultry or eggs as a result of our foot and mouth disease, there is nothing we can do about it except to appeal to them. The Member for Changi wanted particulars of the Fishing Training Centre. The Member has not got all his facts right. The UNDP-sponsored Fishing Training Centre runs two courses. One is the deck course, which is to train navigators and fishing technicians, and the other is the engine course, which is to train fishing vessel and shore engineers. So far two batches comprising a total number of 60 trainees have graduated from the centre. Our records show that out of the first batch of trainees, about 50 per cent are employed on fishing and other vessels, whilst the remaining 50 per cent are employed in shipyards and related establishments. 4.30 p.m. In addition to these one-year courses, the Centre also conducts short-term courses from time to time. So far, a total of four courses of two to three months' duration have been conducted for inshore fishermen who wish to switch to off-shore and deep-sea fishing. A one-week course has been conducted for captains of fishing trawlers. In addition, the Centre also serves as the focal point for dissemination of technical knowledge to fishermen and fishing companies.”
“Let me assure him that the slaughter, however unfortunate, was very necessary in order to confine the disease within the precincts of the quarantine station. The disease was first discovered amongst cattle. As a result, 400 head of cattle had to be destroyed, some with no symptoms of foot and mouth disease. At the same time there were 4,000 head of sheep in the quarantine station, completely free of the disease. But soon after the cattle had been destroyed, the disease spread to some of the sheep. We had no alternative but to slaughter all 4,000 head of sheep. However regrettable and unpleasant the action might be, it was for the safety of the other animals in Singapore that can be infected by this disease. But to say that some of this diseased meat got out and was consumed, I hope not in Anson, is bordering on rumour-mongering. Let me assure the Member that no such meat left the station. No animal, in fact, was allowed to leave the quarantine station, whether it was dog, cat, horse, cattle or sheep. Members will be perhaps interested to know the present position. So far we have managed to confine and eradicate this disease within the station. There is no evidence or sign of the disease having spread beyond the station. Continued vigilance is being exercised by the staff of the Primary Production Department. All dogs and cats which were quarantined, unfortunately longer than necessary as a result of the outbreak, were all released on the 26th February, last month. It is intended to leave the quarantine station as it now is, that is to say, no animal will be allowed into the station or out of the station, for about another month more before operations can go back to normal. But even when operations resume, it will begin with only a few animals.”
“The Department together with the Marine Police, have done their best. Some trawlers have been caught, and some have escaped. Early this year, the Member for Changi informed the Department that there was a resurgence of illegal trawling activities. The Department, together with the Marine Police and the District Office (Rural East), immediately carried out a number of raids. In the month of February alone, a total of 12 raids were conducted between the hours of 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. However, no trawlers were sighted. I do not know what the answer is. Perhaps there is a leakage of information, either in the Primary Production Department, or the District Office, or the Marine Police, I do not know. But if you have evidence of leakage, your proper course is to make a report to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau. To press for heavier fines or penalties, this would really depend on what the Judge or Magistrate will impose. But perhaps we can consider revising existing legislation to provide for heavier penalties against offenders. But let me assure all three Members who complained, that whether it is Jurong, Changi or Punggol, the Primary Production Department would welcome any information and advice as to the effective means to catch and deal with offenders. I agree with them entirely that illegal trawling around our shores will lead to considerable damage not only to the fishermen's gear, net, or whatever it is, but also to a shortage of fish. There would not be fish around our waters unless we stop illegal trawling. As for the Member for Anson, I find it difficult to follow him. He talks of "unnecessary mass slaughter" with respect to the foot and mouth disease.”
“Sir, starting with the Member for Sembawang. He complains about the banning of orchids being grown around the experimental station. I find this hard to believe. One does not need permission from the Primary Production Department to grow orchids in Sembawang, or Tanglin, either in your house or even on a commercial scale. But if you want to grow orchids on a commercial scale, then it must be on land properly zoned "agricultural". So it is not true that the Primary Production Department does not allow people to grow orchids. In fact, the Department has been encouraging the commercial growth of orchids in the Republic because it is a valuable foreign exchange earner. Figures for the last three years show a steady increase in total value. 1970, $1.2 million; 1971, $1.8 million; and 1972, $2.6 million. As for the price of feed-meal, about which two Members complained, unfortunately we cannot produce feed-meal for pigs in Singapore without importing the necessary raw materials. The rise and fall in prices of feed-meal is subject to world competitive prices. As we get our raw materials for animal feed-meal from abroad, we are subject to world prices, depending on demand and supply. At present, the prices have gone up and, unless we subsidize the price of raw materials for feed-meal, there is nothing we can do except to pay what foreign sellers demand. The Member for Sembawang wants the Primary Production Department to grow vegetables on a large scale. Several Members want the Primary Production to chase illegal trawlers. But it is refreshing to hear the Member for Jurong say that the Primary Production Department has done a lot for the farmers. As for trawlers, the Member for Punggol has pointed out, it is difficult to catch these illegal trawlers.”
“As for his suggestion that unauthorised structures should not be disturbed until the Urban Renewal Authority moves in, this has, in fact, been the practice of the Authority, which saw no point in inconveniencing or causing hardship to people who occupy structures, whether authorised or unauthorised, if no redevelopment is to take place in the near future.”
“Of the seven minutes, five minutes for the Member for Changi, and two minutes for the Member for Anson. Sir, the clearance of any area regrettably involves the dislocation of persons, but it is unavoidable and is undertaken only if it is for the general good of the community. Officials in my Ministry are under directions to deal with the problem arising from re-development, including resettlement and rehousing, in a manner that is likely to cause the minimum of inconvenience. As for Changi Creek, every assistance has been given to Singapore citizens, who are eligible, to be provided with alternative accommodation. Sir, in the first phase of re-development of Changi which has been completed, three acres containing clusters of houses were cleared on both sides of Nicoll Drive and the eastern side of Changi Creek. A total of 234 families have been cleared; 162 families have been offered and have accepted alternative accommodation by the Housing and Development Board; 72 families have found their own accommodation; 64 families have been accommodated in ex-War Department artisan quarters at Telok Paku. Of the remaining 98 families, approximately 70 per cent have been re-housed at Kampung Chai Chee, and the rest at Toa Payoh, MacPherson or Tanjong Rhu. The Member will be interested to know that ex-gratia payments totalling $331,463 have been paid out to the 234 families in this clearance exercise. As for the Member for Anson's question, it has been the practice of the Land Office to summarily demolish any unauthorised structures erected on State land after 1st April, 1960. This was put into practice years ago. Unauthorised structures erected before that date have been regularised by the issue of Temporary Occupation Licences.”
“It is guillotine time, Sir,I am wondering how much time you are going to give me.”
“The proposal of his, if accepted, will mean going back again to the various voluntary organisations, charitable and otherwise, wanting to use portions of the empty ground floor. We could try it out, but I hope there will not be too many applications. Coming to the Member for Kampung Kembangan, I am not aware of his applications for bus shelters, He said that three years have passed and no bus shelters have appeared. To cut this matter short, would the Member send his request in writing either to my Parliamentary Secretary or to me, and, if funds are available, bus shelters will appear at his clinics and schools.”