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
Every one of 2,152 lines we hold for E.W. Barker, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 28 of 44.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board has encountered some difficulties in obtaining permission from land-owners to lay cables or run overhead lines across their lands in connection with the schemes to provide utility supplies in the rural areas. But such difficulties have not been found to be insurmountable. There have been three cases so far in respect of electricity supplies where persuasion by the Public Utilities Board, the Urban and Rural Services Committee and the Citizens' Consultative Committee have failed to induce landowners to grant permission, and the Public Utilities Board has had to invoke its powers under the relevant sections of the Public Utilities Ordinance. 1963. In all the three cases, work has been completed. No cases have arisen so far in connection with water supplies. It is, therefore, unnecessary to amend the Ordinance to enhance the powers of the Board.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the Standing Orders Committee appointed under paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 92 do consider and report on any amendments to the Standing Orders of Parliament which the Committee may deem necessary. Sir, consequent on the recent amendments made to the Constitution of Singapore under the Constitution (Amendment) Act, 1969, (Act No. 19 of 1969) to provide, inter alia, for the setting up of a Presidential Council and in view of the provision for a vote of credit under clause (6) of Article 86 of the Constitution, it is necessary to make suitable amendments to our Standing Orders. Opportunity will also be taken to make other necessary amendments to the Standing Orders in the light of our experience over the last few years. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That the Standing Orders Committee appointed under paragraph (4) of Standing Order No. 92 do consider and report on any amendments to the Standing Orders of Parliament which the Committee may deem necessary. ADJOURNMENT Resolved. "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed."-[Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Fourteen minutes past Seven o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed.”
“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. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 7.10 p.m. Clause 1 -”
“I hope when the Minister for Finance is preparing his budget, he will take the Member's advice to heart as to the method of taxing and raising money. Perhaps I should give the House some figures of the amount of water that passes through the sewers. I think it was the Member for Anson who said that very little water was used for the sewerage system. Of the total daily consumption of 100 million gallons of water, or a little more, 42 million gallons are used for domestic purposes; 21 million gallons for industrial and commercial purposes, including the ships in our harbour; 29 million gallons by the Government, Statutory Boards, the Armed Forces and public standpipes. Eight million gallons of water a day are lost in distribution. Sixty per cent of the domestic consumption or approximately 25 million gallons a day go down the sewers. This is the domestic user. Twenty per cent of the water consumed by industrial and commercial users and Government and Statutory Board users, or approximately 10 million gallons of water, go down the sewers that way. So in all, out of the 100 million gallons of water we use daily, about 35 million gallons of water go down the sewers. This is not a negligible amount. Mr Speaker, Sir, in conclusion, may I just say that the Minister for Finance made a Ministerial statement last December explaining this proposal. I have given added reasons for it today and he has come again to explain this matter to Members. If Members cannot understand it, neither can their constituents. I hope Members will go round their constituencies and explain the situation, and if some of them are still not satisfied, then it is the Members' duty to try to satisfy them with a reasonable explanation. We hope we ourselves have done our best. Question put, and agreed to.”
“Should we not look ahead to some date not too far away when, if not all, at least most of our population will have the benefits of modern sanitation? To keep the Member for Bras Basah happy --”
“But when we can reach this objective is not certain in the sense that I cannot name the year, that is, whether it will be in early 1970 or late 1970, as the Member for Punggol wants me to say. All I can say is that, looking at our past records, perhaps in 15 years' time we might be able to serve 95 per cent of our population with modern sanitation. The Member has asked just now what projects we have for modern sanitation. Members will know that we have two main sewage disposal plants, one at Kim Chuan Road in Paya Lebar, which is near the Airport, and the other in Ulu Pandan. We propose to build two more sewage disposal plants, one at Kaki Bukit to serve the areas in the vicinity and extending to Changi, and the other in Jurong to serve that vicinity and, in particular, the rapidly expanding industrial estate. The Member for Bras Basah has asked, why should we have modern sanitation when we cannot afford it and have to borrow money and pay interest on it? You cannot borrow money unless you pay interest. Do we want to advance or do we not? Are we to rely on the bucket system forever?”
“And in case Members think that the Government is not looking after the poor people, who do they think are living in the Housing Board flats? One-quarter of our population are housed in flats built by the Housing and Development Board. These one-room, two-room, three-room and four-room flats are occupied by the poorer sections of the community. The richer people do not qualify to live in these flats. And let me remind Members again that all these flats are served by modern sanitation. So the imposition of this tax is not as unjust as they think it is. Whilst dealing with the financial and economic aspects of the proposed measures, the Minister for Finance gave Members details of the proposed water projects on the island. I need not add to that except that I must remind Members again that the last time we had water rationing in Singapore was in 1963. Since then we have been all right. At that time Singapore consumed 60 million gallons of water per day. Today Singapore consumes more than 100 million gallons of water per day. This is a 40 per cent increase in a period of six years. Let me take Members back to modern sanitation. In the year 1949 the population was one million with one-quarter of them served with modern sanitation. Twenty years have gone by. In the year 1969 the population was two million. Half the population was served by modern sanitation. I have informed the Member for Bukit Panjang, in answer to one of his questions, that it is the long-term objective of the Government to provide modern sanitation throughout the island. I do not think any Member here will disagree with me that this is a good objective.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we have taken more time than anticipated, but it goes to show the great interest Members of this House have in matters which affect their constituents. Several Members have expressed grave concern for the poorer section of our community. Though they have given their blessing to this proposal, they have criticised it on the ground that this is a tax on the poor, and that we should be taxing the rich. But let me correct any misapprehensions on this matter. It is the Minister for Finance who deals with financial matters, and he has given his explanation. But let me reiterate that this new tax will only mean an extra $1 per month for the poorer section of the community. Let me remind Members again that in respect of the tax on Public Utilities Board bills, there is an exemption for the poorer section - no tax is payable if the P.U.B. bill does not exceed $10. As a result of the imposition of this extra $1 a month, certain P.U.B. bills will go up. In order to spare the consumer who previously paid $10 and will have to pay a little more now from having to pay another tax on his bill, the exemption of tax on bills has been increased from $10 to $15. Therefore, the Government is as concerned as all Members are with the poorer section of our community. Let me also correct one other misapprehension. Some Members say that this new measure will hit people in the rural areas, as it is in the rural areas that the poorer people live. I disagree. I think there are more poor people in the urban areas, especially in the middle of Chinatown, than there are in Sembawang, Punggol and Jurong. I am not saying that the farmers live on the fat of the land, but they are better off than the people in many sections of Chinatown, for instance.”
“To enable Government to give effect to the above decision, it is necessary to amend the Ordinance in order that the Director may also levy a fee on the amount of water used. In the last nine years some $69 million has been spent on sewerage projects and today just over half our population is served by modern sanitation. The long-term objective of Government is to provide sewerage facilities throughout the island. More money is needed as the provision of modern sanitation is costly; the proposed revision of tariff is expected to result in additional revenue of $4.2 million in 1970, and $4.8 million in 1972. However, as pointed out by the Minister for Finance, the majority of consumers will not be required to pay more than an additional sum of $1 per month. Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed. 5.43 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Members will recall the statement made in this House at the last sitting by the Minister for Finance, which outlined in some detail the need to revise the present sewerage fees to meet the requirement of the World Bank for an $18 million loan to help finance the foreign exchange component of the cost of our sewerage expansion projects. Several proposals for the revision of the sewerage tariff had been considered. The basic question was whether the proposed increase should be based on the number of sanitary fittings, or the volume of sewage and trade waste discharge, or a combination of both. Eventually, it was decided to levy an additional charge of 20 cents per 1,000 gallons of metered water consumed in addition to the existing fee of $2 per sanitary fitting per month now being levied on domestic premises. In the case of non-domestic premises, the additional charge levied is 50 cents per 1,000 gallons of metered water consumed. The imposition of a flat rate means that all registered consumers of water, including those now not served with modern sanitation, will have to pay the additional charge. It is hoped that some householders will become less reluctant to abandon the bucket-system if they have to pay a charge, small as it is, for a sanitary service which they do not enjoy. And, in order to be fair to those consumers of water now not served by modern sanitation, the Public Works Department would be duty-bound to extend its sewerage facilities to all such consumers as soon as possible. As it now stands, subsection (1) of section 43 of the Local Government Integration Ordinance, 1963, only empowers the Director of Public Works to levy a fee on one or more sanitary fittings.”
“Under clause 24, he is empowered to undertake the correction of any error arising from the work of any registered surveyor and may recover the cost of such correction in certain circumstances. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Resolved, "That the Bill be committed to a Select Committee consisting of Mr Speaker as Chairman and seven other Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection."- [Mr Barker]. LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTEGRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 5.35 p.m.”
“This is provided for in clause 20. A novel feature of this Bill is the requirement laid down in clause 21 that, on completion of a title survey, the registered surveyor who signs the plan thereof shall deposit such plan together with the relevant field books, calculation sheets and survey data with the Survey Department and all such documents shall, if such plan is approved by the Chief Surveyor or other officer appointed by him to approve the same on his behalf, become the property of the Government and shall be filed as permanent survey records. Clause 23 of the Bill imposes an obligation on a registered surveyor who has prepared and signed any assurance plan to complete the title survey of the land described in such plan within a specified period. A registered surveyor who fails to complete the title survey within the specified period may be liable to disciplinary action and the Board may order another surveyor to complete the work. Any registered surveyor against whom disciplinary action has been taken by the Board, may appeal against the decision of the Board to the High Court. This is provided for in clause 14. In order to ensure that land surveys by registered surveyors are properly carried out, provision has been made in the Bill for the Chief Surveyor to approve all survey plans or assurance plans prepared by them before such plans can be accepted for the purposes of registration under any written law. Under clause 22, the Chief Surveyor may withhold his approval where no written permission for subdivision has been obtained from the Competent Authority under the Planning Ordinance, 1959.”
“The Bill provides, inter alia, for the constitution of a Land Surveyors Board as outlined in clause 3 thereof and with powers - (a) to register any person who is not less than 21 years of age and who is resident in Singapore as registered surveyor if he satisfies the Board that - (i) immediately before the coming into operation of the Act he is a licensed surveyor; or (ii) he has obtained a certificate of competency issued by the Board after passing the prescribed examination; or (iii) he has passed a professional examination recognised by the Board and has passed such further examination and has such practical experience in surveying in Singapore as the Board may prescribe; (b) to refuse to register an applicant who is not, in the opinion of the Board, of good character and reputation; (c) to order the cancellation of the registration of a registered surveyor in certain circumstances; and (d) to make rules, with the approval of the Minister, to give effect to the provisions of the Act. It is an offence under clause 17 of the Bill for any person to make or cause any falsification of the register or to make any false or fraudulent declaration to procure registration. Clause 18 of the Bill also forbids a person who is not a registered surveyor from engaging in practice. A registered surveyor shall be entitled under the provisions of clause 19 to undertake title surveys. What is a "title survey" is defined in clause 2 of the Bill. Where a registered surveyor is engaged on the title survey of any land in respect of which a deposit for survey fees has been made by an applicant for subdivision of the land under the Planning Ordinance, 1959, he shall be paid the prescribed fees by the Chief Surveyor from such deposit in accordance with any rules made under the Act.”
“This will thus obviate duplication in survey work and enable purchasers of land in the private sector to obtain their titles to land more expeditiously, apart from enabling the Survey Department to concentrate on survey works for Government departments and bringing up to date litho-production and survey records which are presently unavoidably neglected. Similarly, surveyors attached to Statutory Boards by carrying out final surveys of the Boards' land could thus enable industrialists to obtain their titles expeditiously and assist them to obtain loans on mortgage of properties leased to them by the Boards. The transfer of this function to the licensed surveyors in the private sector, however, necessitates introduction of necessary legislation to control their activities and conduct as in the case of other professional bodies such as the architects, accountants, and advocates and solicitors; hence the Bill now before the House which will also repeal the out-dated Surveyors Ordinance (Chapter 201).”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, as it is my intention to refer the Bill to a Select Committee. I shall now explain the reasons motivating the introduction of the Bill and deal only with the salient provisions thereof. The law in force relating to surveyors is contained in the Surveyors Ordinance (Chapter 201). This Ordinance provides for licensed surveyors to survey land and prepare plans for provisional registration of deeds in the Registry of Deeds. Final surveys and plans, as required by the Registration of Deeds Ordinance (Chapter 255) and by the Land Titles Ordinance, 1956, have to be done by the Survey Department and the plans in respect of these surveys duly certified by the Chief Surveyor. The need for final surveys to be carried out by the Survey Department arose from the lacunae in our law which did not require surveyors to submit their survey records and computations to that Department, nor were they required to demarcate the land surveyed by them with permanent boundary marks. In the past, final surveys of land needed for development by the private sector did not pose too much of a problem. However, the intense development of land over the past few years arising from industrialisation and housing has imposed a mounting burden on the Survey Department. The increasing volume of survey work has made it desirable for surveys of privately-owned land to be best left to licensed surveyors in the private sector, just as the designing of building for private individuals and firms is generally carried out by architects in private practice.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, perhaps the Member has misunderstood my answer, probably because I speak English and he speaks Mandarin. I did not say that we would not give any concessions. In fact, we compensate those people whom we evict from urban renewal sites, and, as far as possible, if we can, we provide alternative accommodation. So there is compensation plus accommodation where possible. But when it comes to tendering for public sites which are offered for urban renewal, these public tenders will be treated equally. We cannot give special incentives to anyone tendering for these sites. BILLS INTRODUCED 3.13 p.m SINGAPORE TELEPHONE BOARD (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Singapore Telephone Board Ordinance (Chapter 107 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Communications (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. CONSTITUTION (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Constitution of Singapore", recommendation of President signified; 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. BILLS OF EXCHANGE (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.15 p.m.”
“If by participation the Member means tendering for urban renewal sites which are offered to the public, I would say yes.”
“As I have pointed out, most of them have found their own accommodation. But if such accommodation infringes planning rules or regulations, then further action will be taken against them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, up to the 31st December, 1969, 174 stores and warehouses had been cleared or demolished to make way for urban renewal. It was not possible to provide alternative accommodation as the Housing and Development Board has not built any store or warehouse. However, most of those evicted have found their own accommodation. The State and City Planning Office has conducted a survey of stores and warehouses to gather data for the proposed construction of a warehouse complex to be developed on the reclaimed land at Pasir Panjang. When this complex is completed, occupiers of stores and warehouses evicted in the future under urban renewal programmes can and will be given alternative accommodation.”
“I would say that it is highly unlikely. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Alternative sites for occupiers of cleared or demolished stores and warehouses) 6. Mr Low Yong Nguan asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board (a) how many premises under the category of stores or warehouses have been cleared or demolished under the urban renewal programme up to the latest convenient date; and (b) whether alternative sites have been allotted to the occupiers of those premises, and, if not, if he will consider making the necessary changes to the rules governing the provision of alternative sites for such premises for the Board to offer alternative accommodation to those occupiers.”
“Sir, this is a general question which I find difficult to answer. But every case is treated on the merits of the particular motor industry, where it is situated, and whether or not we will be able to site it either at the proposed complex or elsewhere.”
“The complex will be completed within two years of the commencement of building operations.”
“Sir, part of the land affected does not belong to Government, and that land will have to be acquired and the squatters evicted. This will take a little more time. It has already taken some time, as the Member has pointed out. But if all goes well, construction work should begin towards the end of this year.”
“The answer is, yes, they will. If the Member is interested in further particulars, the proposed complex will comprise the following: about 194 units of two-storey garages-cum-flats; about 33 units of industrial shops with living quarters on the second storey; about 28 units of shops with living quarters on the upper storeys; about 170 units of improved three-room flats and four units of eating houses. In addition to motor garages, there will be space for bus companies and also the Registry of Vehicles.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Housing and Development Board proposes to develop a 60-acre site off the 5½ milestone Upper Thomson Road into an industrial estate for the resettlement of small industries affected by Government's development projects. In addition, residential units will also be built in the proposed estate. The motor industries at Serangoon Road and other places that are required by Government to make way for development will be offered alternative sites in the proposed industrial-cum-residential complex.”
“In some Parliaments the Speaker is exposed to hazards ranging from moral intimidation to mortal injury. But the Parliament of Singapore, I am happy to say, has, even where it has occasionally been boisterous, maintained a decorous purposefulness which, I am sure, Sir, you will continue to maintain. Thank you. 2.42 p.m.”
“We are all aware that in many developing countries professional men are paying a heavy price because of their steadfast reluctance to undertake the broader responsibilities of citizenship. As societies become more unstable and chaotic, not only are professional standards lowered but even the dignified practice of many professions becomes more and more difficult to maintain. So the increasing number of professional men who find it necessary to pack their bags and wander about the face of the earth in search of new pastures. They could have averted this tragedy had they manifested an active concern for the wider problems of the societies in which they lived. They and their children need not have, as many of them are today, become mendicants hawking their professional skills to such countries which would care to buy them. You, Sir, are a professional man acutely aware of the wider responsibilities which professional men should shoulder to ensure their status and dignity. You have, despite the heavy demands made on you by your professional responsibilities, shouldered the responsibilities of citizenship as well. You stood for election twice in your present constituency. You have, as the Deputy Speaker of this House, as the Chairman of the Detainees Aftercare Association, as a Justice of the Peace, and as the Chairman of the University Council, concerned yourself with many public affairs. These are among the many reasons which prompted this House to elect you as Speaker. We are confident that, with this wide range of experience, you will be able to discharge ably and judiciously the new and heavy responsibilities that have been entrusted to you. You can be assured, Sir, that for our part we will give all the cooperation necessary to lighten the burdens of your office.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I, on behalf of all Members of this House, extend to you our congratulations on the occasion of your election as Speaker. You are, Sir, the fourth to be elected to this high office since the introduction of parliamentary government in Singapore. Your appointment, moreover, has broken what could, inadvertently, have crystallised into a convention - that the robe of the Speaker should fall on the shoulders of those with a legal training. The three previous Speakers were all members of the legal profession. This could be attributed to the judicial atmosphere which envelopes this particular office. A great deal of the ritual associated with the Speaker has a judicial flavour. Even functionally there is a great deal of similarity between the Judge and the Speaker. The impartiality both are expected to maintain between contending and contentious factions has to be, it is generally believed, judicial. Sir, these may have been among the reasons for the choice of Speakers from members of the legal profession. Therefore, in electing a distinguished surgeon, whose professional regalia is the white robe and cap, the House has, quite rightly, denied that impartiality, even if it has to be judicial, is necessarily a monopoly of members of the legal profession. However, let me add that in electing you to this responsible position, the House was not swayed wholly by your professional achievements, considerable though they are. It is also based on the high regard we have for your sense of social responsibility; for your belief that in this day and age it is not enough for a citizen to confine his interests and responsibility to the narrow field of his profession.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 32, lines 31 and 32, to leave out "warrants, orders and other mandatory processes" and insert "rules, orders, warrants, commands and process". This is a consequential amendment in view of the amendment made to clause 64 and the deletion of clause 73 from the Bill. Amendment agreed to. Second Schedule, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Bill reported with amendments; read a Third time and passed. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed."-[Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-eight minutes past Six o'clock p.m. to a date to be fixed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is intended that the Question, "That clause 73 stand part of the Bill," be negatived. It is considered that this clause is not really necessary in the Bill. Question put, and negatived. Clause 73 accordingly disagreed to.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 20, lines 29 and 30, to leave out "warrants, orders, notices and other mandatory processes" and insert "rules, orders, warrants, commands and process". This is a consequential amendment as a result of the deletion of clause 73 from the Bill which we will deal with later, Sir. Amendment agreed to. Clause 64, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 65 to 72 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 73 - Question proposed, "That clause 73 stand part of the Bill."”
“In page 20, line 19, after "62.", to insert -"-(1) The Registrar, the Deputy Registrar and the Assistant Registrar shall subject to the provisions of this Act or any other written law have the same jurisdiction, powers and duties as the Masters of the Supreme Court, Clerks of Criminal Courts, Registrars and like officers in the Supreme Court of Judicature in England and, in addition, such further jurisdiction, powers and duties as may be prescribed by Rules of Court.". Sir, this is to define the powers and duties of the Registrar, the Deputy Registrar and the Assistant Registrar of the Supreme Court. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, Amendment agreed to. In page 20, line 21, to leave out "an" and insert "the". This is to rectify a typographical error. Amendment agreed to.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 20, line 16, to leave out "an" and insert "the". This is to rectify a typographical error. Amendment agreed to. Clause 61, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 62 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 17, lines 36 and 37, to leave out "but such evidence shall not be taken in the presence of a jury". The reason for this amendment is similar to that given for clause 46. Amendment agreed to. Clause 55, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 56 to 60 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. 6.15 p.m. Clause 61 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 14, to leave out lines 15 to 27 inclusive. Sir, these amendments are considered necessary consequent upon the abolition of trial by jury under the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill. Amendment agreed to.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 11, line 30, to leave out "for oaths". This is to rectify a drafting error. Amendment agreed to. Clause 37, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 38 to 45 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 46 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 7, lines 20 and 21, to leave out "Civil" and "Criminal" respectively. Sir, the reason for this amendment is similar to that given for clause 19. Amendment agreed to. Clause 20, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 21 to 36 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 37 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 7, lines 7 and 13, to leave out "Criminal". Sir, it would be preferable that the expression "District Courts" appearing in this clause should not be qualified by the adjective "Criminal" or "Civil". This would be in line with the Subordinate Courts Ordinance and would also avoid the necessity of any amendment should the present division between Civil District Courts and Criminal District Courts be done away with in the near future and the jurisdiction of these courts merged. Amendment agreed to. Clause 19, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 20 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 5, lines 5 and 6, to leave out "section 23 of the Partnership Act, 1890" and insert "any provision of any written law relating to partnership". Sir, as this clause imports an English Act, by the amendment as proposed, it will not be necessary in the future to make further amendments to this clause should there be any change in our partnership laws. Amendment agreed to.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 4, line 24, to leave out "one month and insert "two months". This is to provide a longer vacation for the High Court from the original one month to two months so that, administratively, the full complement of Judges will be available throughout the legal working year. Amendment agreed to. Clause 12, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 13 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 4, line 23, to leave out "High" and insert "Supreme'. This is to rectify a drafting error. Amendment agreed to.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 4, line 19, to leave out "of the Supreme Court". These words are really not necessary. Amendment agreed to. Clause 11, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 12 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, In page 1, line 18, to leave out "an" and insert "the". This is to rectify a typographical error. Amendment agreed to. Clause 2, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 3 to 10 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 11 -”
“It is estimated that this relief scheme for farmers will cost the Government $137,400 to be given in the form of grants and $406,500 by way of loans. The Government has also drawn up a scheme to assist the next-of-kin of those who died as a result of the floods. The scheme provides for the ex gratia payment of compensation from the General Relief Fund. Payment will be assessed on the lines of the Workmen's Compensation Ordinance which provides for maximum compensation of 36 months' wages or $7,200 whichever is the less. The estimated cost of ex gratia compensation is $20,360. The floods also rendered a number of persons homeless. Such persons who need alternative accommodation as a result of the floods will be paid a rent subsidy on the same basis as that paid to persons made homeless by fire, i.e., at the rate of $7 per person per month subject to a limit of $35 per family per month for a maximum period of three months. The estimated cost for rent subsidies is $1,491. AIR POLLUTION IN INDUSTRIAL ESTATES (Pilot survey) 8. Inche Abdul Aziz Karim asked the Minister for Health if he will consider (a) undertaking immediately a pilot survey to determine the extent and degree of air pollution in Jurong and other selected industrial estates caused by noxious smoke, fumes, gases and dust from factories; (b) engaging an expert to carry out the survey; (c) making the report on the survey available to the House; (d) following up the pilot scheme with a complete survey of the problem of air pollution in the Republic; and (e) taking the necessary measures to eliminate air pollution as far as possible.”
“In addition, 3,780 lbs, of clothings were issued to those in need. After the floods, as an immediate measure, the Social Welfare Department paid cash grants at the rate of $10 per person to 12 families comprising 65 persons whose houses had been extensively damaged or rendered unsafe by the floods. Eight of these families have been allocated Housing and Development Board flats. The following categories of persons were adversely affected as a result of the floods: (i) Farmers; (ii) Next-of-kin and dependants of those who died; (iii) Persons who need alternative accommodation as a result of their houses being washed away, rendered unsafe or extensively damaged. The Government has drawn up a relief scheme for farms damaged by the floods to help the farmers re-establish their farms and get back to full production as quickly as possible. The scheme provides for aid in cash as well as in kind to farms licensed by the Primary Production Department. Small vegetable farmers have been given $100 in cash plus $50 worth of materials, i.e., vegetable seeds, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides and lime. Farmers of medium-sized vegetable farms were given $100 in cash plus $100 worth of materials. Farmers of large-sized farms were given $100 in cash plus $150 worth of materials. Pig farmers are eligible for a loan of up to $1,000 at 3 per cent interest repayable in one year. In addition to this loan, small pig farmers who lost pigs in the floods are given $160 worth of feeding stuff. Poultry farmers are eligible for a loan of up to $500 at 3 per cent interest repayable in one year. In addition to this loan, small poultry farmers who lost poultry in the floods are given $150 worth of feeding stuff.”
“Sir, investigations have been carried out to ascertain the loss and damage caused by the floods of the 10th December, 1969. Preliminary figures show that the damage has been extensive. Five deaths were reported to have been caused by the very heavy rains and the subsequent flooding. Some 10,000 families were affected. Damage to private farms, properties, and household effects is believed to be substantial, but it is difficult to assess such losses with any degree of accuracy. In the public sector, the damage to buildings, roads, bridges, sewerage pumping stations and other installations is estimated to be $780,000, and to electricity, water and gas installations, about $500,000. FLOODS (Relief to victims) 7. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Social Affairs what assistance has been given to help the people affected by the floods in order that they may rehabilitate themselves. The Minister for Social Affairs (Inche Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker, Sir, during the floods, the Social Welfare Department opened five relief centres at: (i) Serangoon Secondary School; (ii) Geylang Serai Vocational School; (iii) Bedok School; (iv) Balestier Hill School; and (v) St. Andrew's School. It is estimated that 2,800 persons used these five centres. In addition, eight relief centres manned by voluntary workers were opened in various flood-stricken areas. These eight centres were used by an estimated 870 persons. The Social Welfare Department gave immediate relief on the day of the flood itself by supplying the following foodstuffs to the above 13 centres: (a) Rice; (b) Sugar; (c) Coffee powder; (d) Sardines; (e) Fresh vegetables; (f) Biscuits; (g) Ikan bilis; and (h) Dried prawns. The total quantity of foodstuffs supplied came to 3,250 lbs.”
“Sir, that is the longest supplementary question I have ever heard! Perhaps to satisfy the Member for Ulu Pandan I should say, as I said in the last sitting of Parliament, that the Ulu Pandan scheme has been delayed because of rock formation which has been encountered in the tunnels we are now building between Bukit Timah and Ulu Pandan. It is not the P.W.D. workers who are working on the project but the contractors. The work has been let out to three or four contractors under a tender scheme. Of course, if it rains, they cannot work. But I will look into the Member's complaint and see what can be done to expedite matters. FLOODS (Loss of lives and damage to property) 6. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether investigations have been carried out to ascertain the loss and damage as a result of the recent floods; and whether he will inform the House of the number of lives lost and the extent of damage to property.”
“Immediate steps are being taken to repair the roads which have been spoilt as a result of the floods. But this supplementary question is really in connection with the second question of the Member for Sembawang. As to floods in Sembawang, I think the Member will agree with me that this was the first time the floods affected Sembawang. Frankly, we have no concrete plans for alleviating floods in Sembawang. But as I said in the last sentence of my reply, our whole flood alleviation measures are being reconsidered with a view to alleviating floods which may occur as a result of either heavy rains for many hours or high tides or both.”
“Without any hesitation, I would say yes to the Member for Bras Basah. People who have suffered and lost their homes either completely or partly can surely repair or rebuild and have a roof over their heads without fearing prosecution from the Chief Building Surveyor. On the other hand, of course, we must watch the position to see that others who have not suffered from the floods do not take the opportunity to erect unauthorised houses.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, officials from the Public Works Department and the Public Utilities Board are reconsidering the drainage plans for the Bedok/Changi area; we are thinking of building a reservoir where the Housing and Development Board is digging earth to reclaim the east coast. We may build this reservoir both as a catchment area against floods and to catch the Water during floods. Alternatively, if the water is not very polluted, we can use it as an additional store for our water supply. The matter is receiving the consideration of officials and a decision will be made soon. Mr Ho See Beng: Mr Speaker, Sir, arising out of the question of floods, what is the Government's policy in regard to the construction of temporary unauthorised shacks or huts by the victims in the recent floods? Is the Government going to allow this?”