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.”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Housing and Development Board officials have adopted aggressive tactics, I would agree with the Member that it is highly regrettable, and that such tactics should be stopped. However, I find it difficult to understand why a Housing Board officer should use aggressive tactics to force someone to change his application from a transfer to a purchase. Perhaps there has been some misunderstanding. With the shortage of flats, it is difficult to get a transfer and it is probably for that reason that the Housing Board officer may have advised the applicant to purchase a flat rather than to apply for a transfer. A transfer means that he is already occupying a flat but wants to move to another flat. There are so many others who do not have flats. 3.00 p.m. The Member wants me to assure him that the Housing Board will continue to rent or let out flats. I gave this assurance in this House in answer to a Question by the Member for Katong. I said that the Housing Board will continue to let out 20 per cent of the fiats it builds and not to sell every flat. As for lifts, the Housing Board has more than 1,000 lifts in the various Housing Board estates. If we are to have lift attendants, we will need about 3,000 persons to operate 1,000 lifts on a two- or three-shift basis, and it will cost some $5 million per year. I am sure the Member will agree that this is rather prohibitive. As for security in the lifts, the Police are responsible, but I am not putting the blame on the Minister for Home Affairs. It is quite impractical to expect the authorities to station security guards or policemen at every block of flats when there are more than 1,500 blocks of flats.”
“However, to come back to the Member's first point, no one likes to shift, and that is the crux of the problem. We try to do our best for them, but it is difficult to satisfy anyone who has to shift from a home which he has occupied probably for generations.”
“Again the Member complains of the long waiting period for public housing and that we seldom offer immediate alternative housing whenever resettlement problems arise. We do our best with what is available. Hence, some of the Member's constituents were offered flats in Jurong and some in Henderson. Some were offered flats in Redhill, which are, in fact, closer to his constituency. The demand for flats, whether for rental or purchase, far exceeds the supply. Moreover, a few of these flats are used to resettle people who are affected by Government's urban renewal projects. The Housing Board finds it difficult to satisfy everybody's demands. If the Member is interested, I will read to him the latest figures. As at 29th February this year, there were 21,687 families registered to rent Housing Board flats. At the same date there were 36.906 families registered to purchase flats, making in all a figure reaching nearly 60,000 registrants. The Housing Board built a little more than 16,000 units last year. It will build more this year. However, within the next few years, the maximum number which the Board can build, without raising the cost price of each flat, is in the region of 20,000 units. If we start building today with a backlog of 60,000 units -we can only build about 20,000 units a year - and every day of every month more and more fresh applications for rental or for purchase of flats are made to the Board, and with more and more Government development projects taking place, resulting in more and more people being resettled, I think it is a little unfair to complain that there is a lack of co-ordination between the Housing Board, the Resettlement Department and the Planning Department. It is just a question of supply and demand. These departments are doing their best.”
“About 200 families are housed in one-room flats at Henderson and Redhill and about 30 families in Jurong where they have one-, two- and three-room flats. Moreover, the Marine Police personnel who live in Government quarters in Pulau Brani have vacated their quarters and are now living in Clementi Road houses which have been vacated by the British Forces and reverted to the Bases Economic Conversion Department. So far as Sentosa is concerned, I would like to point out to the Member that we are only concerned with resettlement, the unpleasant part of the project. What will happen to Sentosa island will have to be decided by the Sentosa Development Corporation, after its incorporation shortly. However, I can assure the Member that nothing will be done until the Resettlement Department has completed a survey of the population on the island. I hope that it is possible for part of the population to find employment on the island. As far as the Urban Renewal Department is concerned, it is merely involved in the physical planning for the development of the island into a tourist complex. It is not involved in policy decisions, which are really a matter for the Corporation. I have one suggestion to make to the Member. In order to lighten the effects of resettlement, perhaps the Member could make representations to the Corporation that one or two villages in Sentosa be preserved and renovated as a tourist attraction. I believe quite a few people living in Sentosa collect and sell sea shells which many a tourist buys. Sentosa is quite a big island, and I am sure one or two villages can be preserved for this purpose. And for the information of the Member, he should make his representation to the right quarters, which is not the Ministry of National Development.”
“Sir, the Member for Telok Blangah hit the nail on the head when he said that no one likes to move out from an area in which he has been living in for a very long time. That is the crux of our resettlement problem. However, if Singapore is to develop, there must be resettlement. He complains of the lack of co-ordination between the Resettlement Department, The Housing and Development Board and the Planning Department. I do not think he has been fair to these three departments. They are in one Ministry, and they do co-operate with one another. Perhaps there may have been lack of liaison between one Ministry and another. Let me give the Member an example. The Ministry of Defence requires some parts of Pulau Brani, and resettlement is necessary. But it is the Ministry of Defence, and not the Ministry of Law and National Development that wants the resettlement to be expedited. The Resettlement Department is then asked to do the resettlement work, a most unpleasant job in any circumstances. However, the Resettlement Department is doing its best to provide as suitable alternative accommodation as is possible; but people, shifting from homes which they have occupied for a long time are, as the Member has pointed out, reluctant to move. Then they become choosy. It is sometimes impossible to provide a Housing Board flat near their homes. For example, in Pulau `Brani or in Sentosa there are no Housing Board fiats. As far as Pulau Brani is concerned, some of the people have been resettled and, as far as I am aware, they are satisfied. Out of 230 families affected by this project of the Ministry of Defence, 214 families have been resettled.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, can I have your permission to reply to the Member for Telok Blangah now before the other Members, who have also given notices of the same amendment, begin to speak? The reason is that by answering them one at a time I will not forget all the points that are raised, especially after five or six of them have been on the Floor. And perhaps it may also prevent a repetition by the Members themselves or by me.”
“On completion of the reclamation, the reclaimed land will be proclaimed as State land and will, thereafter, be alienated to the Port of Singapore Authority on terms and conditions to be agreed with the Land Office. 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 foreshores at Pulau Brani and Brani Shoal containing a total area of approximately 116 acres as shown coloured in orange on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/72" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1972, TO 31ST MARCH, 1973 Order read for resumed consideration in Committee of Supply [3rd Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 2.40 p.m. Head 1301 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion standing in my name, That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshores at Pulau Brani and Brani Shoal containing a total area of approximately 116 acres as shown coloured in orange on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/72" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. Sir, Pulau Brani which has been allocated for use by the Port of Singapore Authority and MINDEF (Ministry of Defence), as indicated on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMAXTION PLAN NO. 2/72", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of Members, is being developed to provide the following facilities: (a) coastal wharves for MINDEF Maritime Command; (b) coastal wharves for the Port of Singapore Authority; (c) an oil tank farm for storage and bunkering; and (d) other uses that may be compatible with the above. For the purpose of the development, it is necessary to reclaim about 86 acres of the foreshore at Pulau Brani and about 30 acres at Brani Shoal, as shown coloured orange on the plan. The reclamation will be carried out by the Port of Singapore Authority, as agent of the Government, at an estimated cost of $29.2 million and is expected to be completed within two years. The necessary fill for the proposed reclamation will be obtained from the high land at Pulau Brani within the area now being developed by MINDEF and will also be obtained from the dredging of the nearby channels and from the Sister Shoals, which are scheduled to be removed to widen the existing navigational channel and to do away with obstructions to shipping.”
“Sir, all the legal fees, claims and costs relate to cases against Government departments, that is to say, claims for damages in respect of tort and for breach of contract. These sums are payable when the court decides that Government is liable or that there is a settlement where we admit liability. These sums would include fees for claimants' solicitors and the disbursements incurred in making the claims. The names of the departments involved and the amounts paid for the last financial year are as follows. Again, I am sure the Member does not want details in respect of every department, but I will read them out if he wants. The Ministry of Defence again takes the lead, with about $50,000 paid out. Second, Police, for which $15,200 was paid out. Strangely enough, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau is third on the list, with $11,658.50 paid out. The rest consists of small amounts each, about $2,000 or less. The Public Works Department, $2,230; Prisons, $2,900; the Ministry of National Development, $2,204; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, $437, and the Attorney-General's Chambers, $184. The total expenditure as at 15th March, 1972, was $87,680.83. There are 11 suits outstanding. I think the Member knows that litigation in court takes time. Nine suits are against the Ministry of Defence, and two against the Public Works Department. The estimated total claims exceed $300,000 for these 11 suits which are awaiting trial in the Supreme Court. This estimated figure for claims is based on cases in which legal proceedings have been instituted and dates have been fixed for trial. Other claims have not been included because they have not been made, and it is not possible to ascertain with any degree of certainty what the claims will be and when will they be made.”
“Sir, I am afraid I do not have particulars of personal injuries, which the Member has asked for in respect of these cases. As for his comments on the standard of driving and care, there are so many departments concerned that I would not wish to add further to what he has remarked.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, altogether 192 claims in respect of accidents involving Government vehicles were received during the last financial year. Of these, the Ministry of Defence was concerned in 97 cases and the total amount paid out was $36,588.98. Second, came the Public Health Department with 43 cases, and the amount paid was $20,742.18. Third on the list was the Police, with 20 cases involving $6,552.19. There were others like the General Post Office, Hospitals, Prisons Department, Civil Aviation Department, and the Customs and Excise Department. I do not think I should bother the House with the details but, in all, the number of cases was 180 and the total sum paid out was about $70,000. There are some outstanding claims, and the estimated amounts involved are as follows: Public Health Department, 4, about $2,800; Ministry of Defence, 7, about $13,000; Police Department, I, about $3,000; making a total of about 12 cases outstanding.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, based on the demand for copies of exhibits, affidavits, wills, and other legal documents, from legal firms and litigants during 1971, it is considered economical for the present to hire a photo-copying machine than to purchase one. Besides, the company which is presently renting out this machine to the Judiciary does not sell this machine which apparently has been found to produce better quality copies and in less time. The Member for Telok Blangah will appreciate that a better quality reproduction of documents is required for use in our courts. Copies of exhibits, affidavits, wills, and other legal documents supplied to legal firms and litigants, were supplied at 30 cents each. The cost was about 15 cents per copy, and so there was a net profit of 15 cents per copy. In 1971, a total sum of $11,674.50 was received as revenue for making copies of documents. Expenditure on rental, plus the cost of paper and copying charges, amounted to $6,312.58; leaving a net profit of $5,361.92 from the rental of this machine for 1971.”
“Included in the dam project is a concrete spillway channel of 175 feet width for the discharge of floods occurring upstream of the dam. This spillway channel will be controlled by the provision of three electrically operated gates. The materials required for the construction of the dam will be obtained from the quarries along Mandai Road and Bukit Timah Road. Extensive dredging of part of Sungei Kranji bed and its left bank near its mouth is, however, necessary for the construction of the spillway channel. The dredged materials will be used to fill up the mangrove swamps in the vicinity. The whole project, which will be partly financed by the Asian Development Bank, is expected to be completed within three years at an estimated cost of $74.5 million excluding costs of land acquisition, resettlement and antipollution measures. 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 - (a) the construction of a dam across the mouth of Sungei Kranji as shown coulured dark brown on the plan marked 'LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/72' which is deposited in hte Land Office, Singapore; (b) the dredging of part of Sungei Kranji bed for the construction of a spillway channel as shown coloured blue on hte same plan; and (c)the filling up of the sites shown coloured green and marked `Zone A' and `Zone B' on the same plan with the dredged materials. TREASURY BILLS 3.28 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name on the Order Paper. * The motion reads as follows: That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act(Chapter 270), approves - (a) the construction of a dam across the mouth of Sungei Kranji as shown coulured dark brown on the plan marked 'LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/72' which is deposited in hte Land Office, Singapore; (b) the dredging of part of Sungei Kranji bed for the construction of a spillway channel as shown coloured blue on hte same plan; and (c) the filling up of the sites shown coloured green and mared 'Zone A' and 'Zone B' on the same plan with the dredged materials. Sir, for the implementation of the Kranji/Pandan Water Scheme, which will mobilise nearly all the water resources in the western part of Singapore, the Public Utilities Board proposes to construct a dam across the mouth of Sungei Kranji to form an impounding reservoir with a storage capacity of 3,300 million gallons. Details of the scheme are shown on the plan marked `LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/72', a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of Members. The Pandan Reservoir and the Jurong Reservoir which form part of the Scheme will provide storage capacity for another 1,100 million and 100 million gallons respectively. The dam will be about 3,200 feet long with a width of approximately 70 feet at its top to provide for a future arterial road linking the Kranji Industrial Estate with Lim Chu Kang Road. It will rise to a maximum height of about 61 feet from the river bed and its crest level will have an elevation of 13 feet above mean sea level.”
“(Building Control), Public Works Department.". RECLAMATION (SUNGEI KRANJI) 3.25 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 53), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be amended with effect from 1st February, 1972, by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following: " Chief Building Assistant Director Surveyor. (Building Control), Public Works Department.". Sir, the Building Control Division was set up from the 1St February, 1972, within the Public Works Department to take over the functions of the Chief Building Surveyor's Department. With the abolition of the Chief Building Surveyor's Department, the post of Chief Building Surveyor was redesignated Assistant Director (Building Control), Public Works Department, as head of the new division. Consequent upon this departmental change, it is necessary to substitute the corresponding new title or name of "Assistant Director (Building Control), Public Works Department", for the old title or name of "Chief Building Surveyor", wherever the old title or name appears in any law or document as provided in section 2 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 53). The Act also provides in section 3 that additions and amendments to the Schedule to the Act may be effected by a resolution at any time. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 53), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be amended with effect from 1st February, 1972, by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title and Name of Office" respectively of the following:- " Chief Building Assistant Director Surveyor.”
“The reclamation of the additional area of 38.4 acres of the foreshores and seabed at Pulau Ayer Chawan is also expected to be completed by the end of this year at an estimated cost of $800,000. The fill required for this reclamation will be obtained from the existing hilly parts of the island itself. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Reso1ved, That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the reclamation by Government of the additional portions of the foreshores at Pulau Ayer Chawan containing a total area of 38.4 acres as shown coloured brown on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 6/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed."-[Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Forty-two minutes past Seven o'clock p.m, to a date to he fixed.”
“Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name as it appears in item 16 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 reclamation by Government of the additional portions of the foreshores at Pulau Ayer Chawan containing a total area of 38.4 acres as shown coloured brown on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 6/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.' Sir, you will recall that in December 1968, this House approved the reclamation of approximately 332 acres of the foreshores and seabed at Pulau Ayer Chawan for the development of an oil refinery by Esso Singapore (Private) Limited. About 146 acres of these fore-shores and seabed as shown coloured pink on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 6/71", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this Parliament for the information of Members, have already been reclaimed, whilst the remaining 186 acres (shown coloured yellow on the same plan) are being reclaimed and are expected to he completed by the end of the year. The Jurong Town Corporation, which is undertaking the reclamation as agent of Government and is responsible for the allocation of the reclaimed land subsequently to the Company, has now applied for permission to reclaim an additional 38.4 acres of the foreshores and seabed as shown coloured brown on the plan. This additional area is required by Esso Singapore (Private) Limited for the construction of tankage and the location of its flare stack. The Company also proposes to construct dykes in this area which will serve as access to the tank age area and which will also form art oxidation pond for the treatment of effluents before discharge into the sea.”
“The reclamation will be carried out by the Jurong Town Corporation, as agent of the Government, at an estimated cost of $2 million and is expected to be completed in a year's time. The necessary fill for the initial reclamation will be obtained from the highland at Pulau Pesek itself. At a later stage, additional fill will be transported from the mainland. The whole island, including the reclaimed foreshores, will subsequently be alienated to the Jurong Town Corporation on terms and conditions to be agreed with the Land Office to enable the Corporation in turn to sub-lease the island to Mobil and other oil companies. Sir,I beg to move. Question put, an 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 foreshores at Pulau Pesek containing a total area of approximately 184 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 5/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.' RECLAMATION (PULAU AYER CHAWAN) 7.38 p.m.”
“Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name as it appears in item 15 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 reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshores at Pulau Pesek containing a total area of approximately 184 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 5/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.' Sir, Pulau Pesek, which is situated south of the Jurong Industrial Estate, has a total area of 227 acres, comprising 43 acres of highland and 184 acres of foreshores. North of Pulau Pesek is Mobil's refinery at Jurong Industrial Estate, and on its west is Esso's refinery at Pulau Ayer Chawan and the Singapore Petroleum Company's proposed refinery at Pulau Ayer Merlimau. A number of applications for the alienation of Pulau Pesek have been received by the Jurong Town Corporation from the oil companies for the expansion of their existing oil refineries in the locality. The Government has agreed in principle to allocate half of the island to Mobil for the construction of its storage tank with a total capacity of 2.5 million barrels of oil, estimated to cost $15 million. The other half of the island is reserved for allocation to other oil companies. In order to enable the island to be developed, it is proposed to reclaim the 184 acres of the fore-shores as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE REXCLAMATION PLAN NO. 5/71", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this Parliament for the information of Members.”
“The cost of the reclamation, which will be met out of the total investment of about $356 million, is estimated at $40,600 per acre. On completion of the reclamation, the reclaimed land will be proclaimed as State land and will be alienated to the Company on terms and conditions to be agreed with the Land Office. 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 foreshores at Pulau Bukom Besar and Pulau Bukom Kechil containing a total area of approximately 147.85 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMAXTION PLAN NO. 4/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. RECLAMATION (PULAU PESEK) 7.34 p.m.”
“Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name as it appears in item 14 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 reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshores at Pulau Bukom Besar containing a total area of approximately 184 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMAXTION PLAN NO. 4/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.' Sir, the Shell Eastern Petroleum (Private) Limited has reached agreement with the Ministry of Finance on the expansion of its oil refineries in Pulau Bukom Besar and Pulau Bukom Kechil. The expansion project to be undertaken by the Company will involve a total investment of about $356 million and necessitates the reclamation of approximately 147 acres of the foreshores on both islands as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 4/71", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this Parliament for the information of Members. The proposed reclamation, which will be undertaken by the Company as agent of the Government, will be carried out in stages as indicated on the plan. In addition to the expansion of the existing facilities and construction of storage tanks for crude oil, part of the area to be reclaimed will be used for housing a social centre and office facilities. The whole reclamation is expected to be completed by mid-1973. The surplus earth from the site preparation works on Pulau Bukom Besar and Pulau Bukom Kechil will constitute the main supply of fill for the proposed reclamation. Additional fill, if necessary, will be obtained from the mainland.”
“With a view to obtaining more exact particulars of each candidate, amendments have been made to Form 9 (which is the nomination paper) and to Form 10 (which is the statutory declaration of a person nominated as a candidate for election). 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 Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. REARRANGEMENT OF ORDER OF BUSINESS Resolved, "That, under Standing Order No. 10 (2), item 7 on the Order Paper be taken before item 6." - [Mr Chua Sian Chin]. MEDICAL REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.25 p.m.”
“Mr Govindasamy, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The object of this Bill is to amend the Parliamentary Elections Act with a view to enabling the Registration Officer to compile separately for each electoral division fresh registers of electors from the information recorded and kept by the Commissioner of National Registration. These electoral registers will contain the names of all persons who were on the 1st July, 1971, citizens of Singapore, ordinarily resident in Singapore and not less than 21 years of age. By an amendment to the principal Act, the Bill also requires that the Registration Officer shall, in each year following the year 1971, complete a revision of the registers on or before 31st December in that year, or such later date as the Minister may appoint. Clause 3 of the Bill seeks to introduce subsection (4) to section 13 of the Parliamentary Elections Act. This new provision empowers the Registration Officer, before certifying any register of electors, to transfer the name of any person who is no longer resident at the address shown in such register to the appropriate register, if such person has notified the Commissioner of National Registration in writing of his change of residence on or before the last day of inspection of the register of electors. This provision will enable electors, at the next general election, to cast their votes at the new electoral division in which they reside, and so avoid the inconvenience of having to travel longer distances to vote at their former electoral divisions.”
“This Bill similarly now seeks to increase the number of elected Members of Parliament from 58 to 65 consequent on acceptance of the recommendations of the Electoral Boundaries Delineation Committee in regard to the increase of electoral divisions. This augmentation of Parliamentary membership from 58 to 65 will come into effect as from the next general election. The Bill, however, provides that on its coming into operation, for the purposes of the next general election, all things may be done under the Parliamentary Elections Act as if Parliament consisted of 65 elected Members. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole I-louse. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.18 p.m.”
“Mr Govindasamy, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Members will recall that at the last sitting of Parliament a White Paper on the Report of the Electoral Boundaries Delineation Committee was presented to Parliament as Command 21 of 1971, and that I announced Government's acceptance of all the recommendations in the Report. The Committee was appointed in April 1970 to review the boundaries of the existing electoral divisions and, I quote, "to recommend such changes or adjustments thereto as may be necessary to ensure more equal representation throughout all constituencies". The Committee recommended an increase of the electoral divisions in Singapore from 58 to 65, that is to say, seven more than the present number. Also recommended were changes and adjustments to 11 electoral divisions having an electorate of more than 20,000 and to six having less than 12,800 electors. Eight electoral divisions adjoining these 17 electoral divisions were also required to be adjusted in consequence. Thirty-three of the present 58 electoral divisions were unaffected by the re-delineation of electoral boundaries. Article 23(1) of the Constitution of Singapore provides that Parliament shall consist of such number of elected Members as the Legislature may by law provide, and until other provision is so made, the number of Members shall be fifty-one. Section 22 of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Chapter 50) provides that each electoral division shall return one Member to serve in Parliament. In 1967, the Parliamentary Membership Act of that year, together with the Singapore Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Act, 1967, provided the statutory basis for the increase in membership of Parliament from 51 to the present 58.”
“Mr Govindasamy, Sir, I propose to move a motion for the election of a person to perform the functions of the Speaker, and I seek your consent and the general assent of the Members present that notice of this matter be dispensed with.”
“Sir, exceptional cases of hardship suffered by those evicted from Housing Board flats are referred for consideration to the Allocations Committee of the Board under the chairmanship of Mr P. Govindaswamy, Member of Parliament for Anson, who also heads the Public Inquiries and Complaints Bureau in the Ministry. Appeals by those evicted or otherwise aggrieved and not satisfied are also made from time to time direct to the Ministry. In view of the facilities already existing for appeals by those aggrieved, it is considered not yet necessary to set up another body for the purpose. MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (Banning of use in baby-food preparations) 17. Dr Augustine H. H. Tan asked the Minister for Health, in view of the possible brain-damage to babies, if his Ministry will consider banning the use of monosodium glutamate in baby-food preparations.”
“Sir, it is generally the policy of the Housing and Development Board to evict a tenant if a member of his household is convicted of an offence which, if committed by the tenant, would result in the tenant's eviction. However, eviction is only imposed if the offence is a serious one, e.g., where the flat is used illegally as a common gaming house, a brothel or a den in which opium or ganja is smoked or other drugs are used or kept, or where the tenant or a member of his household assaults an official of the Board. In most of these cases, the tenant cannot surely disclaim liability altogether. It is therefore not thought desirable to rescind or alter a policy which is imposed for the protection of the majority of tenants. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Committee to consider evictions of tenants and review of appeals) 16. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether, in view of the Housing and Development Board's near monopoly of cheap housing in Singapore and the very grave housing difficulty which may face a person evicted from a Board flat, he will consider setting up a special committee, composed not only of officials and / or members of the Board but also of members of the public, to consider cases of proposed evictions and to review appeals against such evictions.”
“Mr Tay Boon Too asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will consider replacing zebra crossings, wherever possible, with light-controlled pedestrian crossings. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (National Development Division) (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Sir, the Public Works Department has a programme gradually to replace zebra crossings along main roads with push-button light-controlled pedestrian crossings. YELLOW STREET LIGHTING ALONG MAIN ROADS AND HIGHWAYS 11. Mr Tay Boon Too asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will consider replacing the present street lighting along main roads and highways with yellow street lighting.”
“Sir, at present there is one light-controlled surface crossing across Serangoon Road near its junction with Towner Road and Boon Keng Road. That portion of Serangoon Road which is now two-way will be turned into a one-way street when its extension to Bendemeer Road is completed early next year, whereupon Bendemeer Road itself will also be made one-way. Boon Keng Road will then be turned into a two-way traffic system to allow cars to turn from Serangoon Road to Bendemeer Road and from Bendemeer Road to Serangoon Road. When this new traffic circulatory system is introduced, another light-controlled surface crossing will be installed across Boon Keng Road near its junction with Serangoon Road. PEDESTRIAN OVERHEAD BRIDGE ACROSS JALAN TOA PAYOH (Construction) 9. Dr Augustine H. H. Tan asked the Minister for Law and National Development, in view of (i) the development of Jalan Toa Payoh as part of the Pan-Island Expressway and the consequent hazards to pedestrians, especially children, crossing the road, and (ii) the likely benefits to hawkers at the new hawkers' centre being built at Jalan Tenteram, if his Ministry has plans to build a pedestrian overhead bridge over Jalan Toa Payoh to be sited next to the new hawkers' centre. Mr Barker: Sir, the Public Works Department has a proposal to construct a pedestrian overhead bridge across Jalan Toa Payoh near its junction with Kim Keat Road not only to serve pedestrians and school children, but also the hawkers' centre in the area. The bridge will be included in next year's programme and, if all goes well, it is expected to be completed by October next year. ZEBRA CROSSINGS (Replacement with light-controlled pedestrian crossings) 10.”
“Sir, there are no plans to construct a pedestrian overhead bridge at the junction of Serangoon and Boon Keng Roads to span both or either of these roads.”
“Sir, I am pleased to inform the Member that the construction of an overhead pedestrian bridge for Upper Paya Lebar Road near Elling South School has commenced and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Consideration will be given to the provision of another crossing, possibly a push-button light-controlled pedestrian crossing, across Upper Paya Lebar Road after the road-widening works which are now being done are completed. PEDESTRIAN OVERHEAD BRIDGE AT SERANGOON ROAD/BOON KENG ROAD (Construction) 8. Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether a pedestrian overhead bridge will be constructed at the junction of Serangoon Road and Boon Keng Road to span both those roads, and when.”
“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 foreshores at Pulau Ayer Merlimau containing a total area of approximately 170 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATEON PLAN NO. 3/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. ADVANCE ACCOUNTS 7.13 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name 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 reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshores at Pulau Ayer Merlimau containing a total area of approximately 170 acres as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMAXTION PLAN NO. 3/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.' Sir, the State lands and foreshores at Pulau Ayer Merlimau will be alienated to the Jurong Town Corporation to enable the Corporation in turn to sublease these State lands and foreshores to the Singapore Petroleum Co. (Pte.) Ltd, for the proposed development of an oil refinery on the island. The development project, to be undertaken by the Company as a joint venture with the Development Bank of Singapore, will involve a total investment of about $160 million and provide about 2,500 persons with employment during the construction period. When completed, the refinery will employ about 300 persons, and, it is estimated, will produce about 65,000 barrels of oil per day. In order to enable the development project to be carried out, it is necessary to reclaim approximately 170 acres of the foreshores as shown coloured green on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 3/71", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of Members. The Jurong Town Corporation as agent of Government, will undertake the reclamation of these foreshores at an estimated cost of $2 million. The fill required for the initial reclamation will be obtained by cutting down the high ground on the island. The reclamation is expected to be completed in eight months. 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 foreshores at Ulu Pandan containing a total area of approximately 371.8 acres as shown coloured green and yellow on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. RECLAMATION (PULAU AYER MERLIMAU) 7.10 p.m.”
“Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name 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 reclamation by Government of those portions of the foreshores at Ulu Pandan containing a total area of approximately 371.8 acres as shown coloured green and yellow on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE REXCLAMATION PLAN No. 2/71" which is deposited in the land Office, Singapore.' Sir, with the rapid expansion of our industrial activities, the Jurong Town Corporation has found it necessary to expand the Jurong Industrial Estate by developing, in accordance with the layout plan approved by the Master Plan Committee, the area shown coloured purple, brown and green and yellow shown on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/71", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of Members. The area coloured purple comprises State lands which will be alienated to the Corporation. The area coloured brown comprises private lands which will have to be acquired for the development, and the areas coloured green and yellow are foreshores which will have to be reclaimed for the proposed development. The approval of the House is now sought for the reclamation of these foreshores totalling approximately 372 acres in area. The Jurong Town Corporation, as agent of Government, will undertake the reclamation in two stages at an estimated cost of $11.5 million. The fill will be taken from surplus earth cut in the development of the hilly areas in the Tuas area, west of Sungei Jurong, presently being undertaken by the Corporation. The whole reclamation is expected to be completed in two to three years' time. Sir, I beg to move.”
“Normalcy in the publication of Annual Supplements will be restored next year when all the Acts passed from 1st January to 31st December of this year will, in accordance with the rule I have just cited, be contained in the Annual Supplement to be printed in 1972. Sir, it would not be inappropriate for me to conclude with a few remarks on the 1970 Revised Edition of Acts. It is the eighth Revised Edition since the publication of the first edition in 1886. The last Revised Edition was issued 16 years ago in 1955 and was known as "The Laws of the Colony of Singapore". The 1970 Revised Edition has taken about four years to complete and is the first Revised Edition to be published since Singapore attained independence. It amends, it consolidates, and it brings up to date the laws in force in independent Singapore and enables each piece of legislation to be read as a clear, connected and completed entity and will indeed be a boon to the Bench, the Bar, the Magistrates in the Subordinate Courts, officers in the Legal Service, law students, Government officers, and others concerned with the administration of justice, and, in fact, anyone who has occasion to look up the law on any subject. All the eight volumes of the present Edition have already been issued and are in force. 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 Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. RECLAMATION (ULU PANDAN) 7.08 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." This is a formal Bill, the object of which is to exclude the 1970 Annual Supplement to the Laws of Singapore to be printed this year from the rule laid down in section 5 (1) (a) of the Revised Editions of the Laws (Annual Supplements) Act. The rule is to the effect that each Annual Supplement shall contain all the Acts passed between 1st January and 31st December of the year immediately preceding the date of issue. However, the 1970 Revised Edition of Acts, an eight-volume work containing the Statutes of Singapore, includes the Acts passed by Parliament in 1970 other than 14 Acts passed on the 30th December, 1970, which were not brought into operation in 1970. The 1970 Annual Supplement to be issued this year is to contain all the Acts so omitted from the 1970 Revised Edition. This Bill can, therefore, be said to be necessitated by the situation created by the 1970 Revised Edition of Acts which absorbed the first 48 of the 62 Acts passed in 1970 but not the Acts numbered 49 to 62 which were passed on 30th December last year. Having regard to the rule that every Annual Supplement shall contain all the Acts passed in the preceding year, an amending Act becomes necessary to enable the Annual Supplement, which is to be printed in 1971, to consist of only those Acts passed by Parliament in 1970 and not included in the Revised Edition of Acts, 1970. A parallel situation existed when the 1955 Revised Edition of the Laws of Singapore was issued. An adjustment was also necessary in respect of that Edition, as may be seen by a perusal of section 5 (2) of the principal Act.”
“The amendment now proposed has been conveniently incorporated in that provision so that a person so qualified for appointment or a retired Judge of the Supreme Court who is recalled to serve under the new provision will hold office for such period or periods as the President, acting on the advice of the Prime Minister, directs. 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 Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. REVISED EDITIONS OF THE LAWS (ANNUAL SUPPLEMENTS) (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 7.02 p.m.”
“As there are now only six Judges, apart from the Chief Justice, and the maintenance of at least this number is desirable, it would seem a pity to lose the experience that this retiring senior Judge represents so long as he is in good health and willing to serve in that capacity beyond his compulsory retiring age. Sir, it is worth noting that the retiring age for Judges of the Supreme Court varies in other countries from 65 years in India to 75 years in England and Canada. In Australia, they are appointed for life while in the United States there is no age of retirement, but on reaching the age of 70 a Supreme Court Judge who has served 10 consecutive years may request release from active duty. It is not thought necessary or desirable to raise the present retiring age of Judges in Singapore as there would be some who wish to retire at the age of 65 years, and we feel that they should not be prevented from so doing. This Bill, therefore, has the merit of not altering the present retiring age of our Judges for the benefit of those who would prefer to retire at the age of 65, while at the same time it enables those who are prepared to serve for specific periods after reaching retiring age to help out whenever there is a need. An existing provision in the Constitution, namely clause (2) of Article 52B, enables "a person qualified for appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court" to sit as a Judge of that Court for a specific period and there is in fact one such Judge who has been appointed under this provision.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The purpose of this Bill is to amend a clause in Part IIA of the Constitution of Singapore which relates to the Judiciary with a view to enabling a Judge of the Supreme Court who has ceased to hold office to sit again for specific period or periods as a Judge of that Court should the need arise. At present, clause (1) of Article 52F of the Constitution of Singapore enables a Judge of the Supreme Court to hold office until the age of 65 years with an extension not exceeding six months after he attains that age as the President may approve, so that as the law now stands a Judge may not hold office after the age of 65 years and six months. The Bill, if passed, will enable not only Judges who retire at the age of 65 or 65X- years to be re-employed, but also those who retire or resign before attaining 65 years. This provision will be invoked only when it is necessary and, of course, only if the Judge is himself willing to serve. A former Judge could therefore be called upon to help out at any time as, for example, when a serving Judge is ill for a considerable time, or is expected to be absent for several months for any cause, or if it is necessary to maintain the present complement of Judges with experience when one of them is required to retire by reason of age. This is in fact the position with regard to one senior Judge whose extended term of office expires in November this year when he will attain the age of 65 years and six months.”
“The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. CONSTITUTION (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 6.55 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Section 2 of this Bill seeks to amend subsection (2) of section 4 of the Housing and Development Ordinance which at present requires the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman of the Board, in addition to another person authorised by the Board, to sign every deed, document and any instrument requiring the seal of the Board. The effect of the amendment is to simplify the procedure for the final execution of documents to allow the Board's seal to be affixed in the presence of the Chairman or the Deputy Chairman or any member of the Board and an authorised officer of the Board, thereby relieving the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of this tedious legal obligation. This amendment is necessary in view of the considerable increase in the number of documents to be sealed by the Housing and Development Board since the introduction of the home ownership scheme for the people. Members of the House are no doubt aware that more and more citizens are coming forward to purchase Housing and Development Board flats, especially with the recent raising of the family income limit. As at 30th September, 1971, 36,470 units of flats have been sold by the Board. Clauses 3 to 9 of the Bill deal with minor amendments to various sections of Part IV of the Ordinance, such as deleting the words "living accommodation" and substituting therefor the word "building"; and inserting immediately after the word "flat" the words ", house or other building". These amendments are necessary in order to make the provisions of the Ordinance apply to buildings other than those meant for residential purposes. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole 1-louse.”
“I would suggest to the Member that he study the White Paper in which the reasons for the delineation of these electoral boundaries have been set out in detail. Reasons have also been given for increasing the electorate population of some areas and decreasing others, the whole object being to have a more equal distribution of the electorate. As to what will happen in the rural areas in the future, I am afraid I do not know. The Member will have to wait for the next electoral commission.”
“Sir, another Bill, entitled the Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Bill, will also be introduced at the present sitting of Parliament. This Bill will amend the Parliamentary Elections Act (Chapter 50) to provide for the preparation of fresh registers of electors from the registers maintained by the Commissioner of National Registration and to include in such registers the names of all entitled persons who were, on the 1st day of July, 1971, citizens of Singapore and to whom identity cards were issued. The present registers of electors were reviewed in 1967 and since then there has been an annual average increase of 36,000 electors. By 1st February next year, the number of electors is expected to be in the region of 951,751. However, the rapid development of Housing and Development Board estates has culminated in uneven distributions of electors, especially in the electoral division of Toa Payoh which is expected by 1972 to have about 70,000 electors, whereas the average number of electors per electoral division is 16,000. In this context, the fresh registers of electors prepared according to the revised electoral boundaries will contain more even distributions of electors. After the Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Bill has become law, a Gazette Notification will be published to specify the names and boundaries of the 65 revised electoral divisions. POLICE JUNIOR OFFICERS (New structure and salary scales) (Statement by the Minister for Finance) 3.27p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a White Paper on the Report of the Electoral Boundaries Delineation Committee has been presented to Parliament as Command 21 of 1971. The Government has decided to accept all the recommendations with regard to the sub-division of 11 large constituencies and the creation of seven new constituencies with consequential adjustments to eight constituencies. The enlargement of six constituencies, outside the central areas of the city, whose electorates are lower than 12,800 has also been accepted. The acceptance of the Committee's recommendation will increase the number of electoral divisions from 58 to 65. The Parliamentary Elections Act (Chapter 50) provides that each electoral division shall return one Member to serve in Parliament. The Constitution of Singapore stipulates a Parliamentary membership of 51 until it is varied by law. In this connection, the Parliamentary Membership Act, 1967, was introduced in Parliament in that year to increase the membership to 58. Consequent to the increase of the electoral divisions to 65, it is necessary again to introduce a Bill, entitled the Parliamentary Membership Bill, 1971, at the present sitting of Parliament to increase the number of electoral members to Parliament above the present total membership. This increase will come into effect as from the next general elections. However, for the purposes of the next general elections, it is necessary to publish a Gazette Notification under section 8 of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Chapter 50) specifying the names and boundaries of the 65 revised registers of electors under section 10 of the same Act. The Parliamentary Membership Bill, 1971, will enable these steps to be taken.”
“Yes, certainly. A survey can be carried out to test the ground reaction, but the Member himself can help. If he thinks that the majority will buy, we will certainly carry out a surveys, as it is Government's policy to encourage home ownership. PEDESTRIAN OVERHEAD BRIDGES AT TANGLIN ROAD AND MARGARET DRIVE (Construction) 13. Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he has any plans to construct (i) a pedestrian overhead bridge or subway at Tanglin Road near its junction with Margaret Drive; and (ii) a pedestrian overhead bridge at Margaret Drive, near the Hua Yi Government Chinese Middle School, for the safety of both school children and pedestrians. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (National Development Division) (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development)(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, according to the Public Works Department's Road Department statistics, the number of pedestrians along Tanglin Road near the junction of Margaret Drive is too insignificant to merit the building of a pedestrian overhead bridge there. According to their assessment, the building of a pedestrian overhead bridge over Margaret Drive, which is only 28 feet wide, is not practicable. However, a traffic lighting system with, a press button is more practical to meet the needs of the students there.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Housing and Development Board has no immediate plan to sell the 2-storey terrace houses at Jalan Membina or the flats at Lim Liak Street / Kim Cheng Street Kim Pong Road. However, if the majority of the tenants indicate that they wish to purchase these terrace houses or flats, the Housing and Development Board will certainly consider the proposal.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as at the 31st August, 1971, 7,032 applicants had registered for 2-room flats. Of these applicants, 1,976 have registered for more than two years and 5,056 for less, out of which 3,287 have not indicated their willingness to wait indefinitely. As at 31st August, 1971, 3,312 applicants had registered for 3-room flats. Of these, 1,295 have registered for more than two years and 2,017 for less, out of which 1,751 have not indicated their willingness to wait indefinitely. The Housing and Development Board maintains two sets of registers, one for rental and one for the purchase of flats. No priority is given to applicants on the rental register who desire to switch over to the purchase register. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Sale of terrace houses and flats) 12. Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon asked the Minster for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board whether it is proposed to sell (i) 2-storey terrace houses at Jalan Membina; and (ii) flats at Lim Liak Street/Kim Cheng Street/Kim Pong Road.”