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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“Sir, we will not be in Parliament after today, but I can assure the hon. Member for Bras Basah that when we next meet here again probably early next year, Members of the House will he given ample opportunity to debate the contents of the Report and the Government's views thereon. Mr Bernard Rodrigues (Telok Blangah): Mr Speaker, Sir, I only want to know from the Minister when the Ombudsman was introduced in New Zealand.”
“) of a judge to be unalterable to his disadvantage during the tenure of his appointment and for the non-abolition of a judicial office so long as it has a substantive holder, is acceptable. It is agreed that the remuneration of judges should be such as to attract the ablest men of high professional ability. With regard to the Public Service Commission, it is agreed that the Chairman and members of the Public Service Commission should be persons who can command the respect and enjoy the confidence of all sections of the population. They should be men of high administrative ability and wide experience and should not be members of any political party. In this connection, consideration will be given to enlargement of the membership of the Public Service Commission. 2.49 p.m.”
“Members may be aware that the system of the Ombudsman, which has its origins in Scandinavia and seems to be working fairly satisfactorily there, is a novel idea insofar as the Commonwealth is concerned. New Zealand is the first Commonwealth country to have an Ombudsman - the system, having been introduced there recently, is still in its experimental state. It is considered that the creation of the Ombudsman on the lines of the recommendations of the Commission should be deferred until the results of the experiment in New Zealand and elsewhere are known. The Commission also made recommendations - not expressly covered by their terms of reference - in regard to the Judiciary and the Public Service Commission. The Commission has recommended that provision be made in the Constitution vesting the power of appointment of judges in the High Court and other superior judges, in the President acting on the advice of a body comprising the superior judges and presided over by the holder of the highest judicial office in the Republic. It is, however, considered that the present practice, whereby judges are appointed by the President acting on the advice of the Prime Minister who consults the incumbent Chief Justice before tendering such advice to the President, has hitherto worked satisfactorily and should continue. It is considered undesirable that judges as a body should form a self-perpetuating group, detached from the community and the elected political leadership. The recommendation that provision be made in the Constitution for the remuneration of judges to be provided by law and to be charged on the Consolidated Fund, for the remuneration and other terms of office (including pension rights, allowances, etc.”
“In regard to the recommendation on the creation of a non-elected advisory body to be called "the Council of State", while Government agrees in principle to the creation of such a body, it differs in the suggested composition and functions. Further, it is the view of Government that it would be more in keeping with its purely advisory capacity for the Council of State to sit in private rather than in public. This will also ensure that discussions taking place are frank and constructive and not held with an eye on the Press or publicity or with a view to scoring a political point. Membership of this Council, which will be analagous to the Privy Council, would be of two types - (i) Permanent members: This would consist of men of distinction who will be chosen from those who hold or have held high offices, e.g. Cabinet Ministers, former Chief Ministers, the Chief Justice, the Speaker, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Puisne Judges, the Attorney-General and former Permanent Secretaries. There would be no age limit; (ii) Members who are removable: Appointments would be on the advice of Cabinet and would be for a fixed period of, say, three years, Persons appointed would be mature citizens who have either rendered distinguished public service or attained eminence in their respective walks of life regardless of race, colour or creed as recommended by the Commission. In regard to the recommendation on the creation of the office of Ombudsman or Parliamentary Commissioner, while Government is in agreement with the thinking behind this recommendation, it is considered that the time is not opportune for the introduction of such an office in Singapore.”
“The new Land Acquisition Act, which has been passed by this House and will be brought into force shortly, provides for the setting up of a Lands Appeals Board and it is not considered desirable that the intentions of that legislation should be stifled by landowners being able to raise constitutional issues when disputes over the quantum of compensation arise. The Commission has recommended three methods of entrenchment in respect of various provisions of the Constitution. The first method is a provision in the Constitution that the Bill for an Act of Parliament altering the Constitution shall not be passed by Parliament until it is expressed to be one for amendment of the Constitution and contains no other provision. The second method is a provision in the Constitution that the Bill for an Act of Parliament altering certain named provisions of the Constitution shall not be passed by Parliament unless the Bill is supported at the final voting in Parliament by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the elected Members of Parliament. The third method is that any alteration of certain provisions can only be made by the affirmative vote of a very substantial majority of people qualified to vote in general elections as well as of a very substantial majority of the legislature. The Government has given very careful consideration to all three methods and the implications of each and has decided, in the situation now prevailing in Singapore, to adopt the second method of entrenchment. All those recommendations accepted by the Government and also recommended by the Commission for entrenchment will be so entrenched.”
“- (i) the right of every individual not to be subjected to torture; (ii) the granting to the citizens of Singapore the right to elect a Government of their own choice; and (iii) the right to apply to court for the enforcement of those provisions relating to fundamental rights and liberties. These are all acceptable in principle and will be incorporated in some form in the new Constitution to be drawn up. With regard to property rights, the Commission recognises the fact that Singapore is only a small island of 225 square miles and more and more land will be required for public purposes as the population increases. The Commission therefore does not recommend the reintroduction of Article 13 of the Constitution of Malaysia in its present form. However, the Commission recommends that there should he an Article in the Constitution providing as follows: (1) No person shall be deprived of property save in accordance with law. (2) No law shall provide for the compulsory acquisition or use of property except for a public purpose or a purpose useful or beneficial to the public and except upon just terms.' The Government would accept this Article but for the words at the end, namely, "and except upon just terms". Members may be aware that we have, at various times while within Malaysia, sought to amend Article 13 of the Malaysian Constitution in its application to Singapore. The intention was to follow the provisions in the Indian Constitution so that any law providing for the compulsory acquisition of property shall be valid so long as that law provides for compensation and that such a law shall not be questioned in court as to the adequacy of the compensation.”
“The recommendations of the Commission have received the very careful consideration of Government and I am glad to state that most of the recommendations are acceptable in their entirety. On others, while Government agrees in principle to the recommendations, it differs in the detailed recommendations. A few of the recommendations, however, are not acceptable. The Commission has made various recommendations in regard to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual and the manner in which the various provisions of the Constitution ought to be entrenched. The Commission has also suggested the creation of a non-elected advisory body to be called the "Council of State", with a small membership, not subject to dissolution but renewing itself at regular intervals by the retirement and replacement of a proportion of its members in rotation, and the creation of the office of Ombudsman (or Parliamentary Commissioner). The Commission also touched on two matters not expressly covered by their specific terms of reference, namely, the Judiciary and the Public Service Commission. I shall deal briefly with these recommendations. At Chapter II of their Report, the Commission makes recommendations in regard to the protection of the right of life and personal liberty of the individual, the prohibition of slavery and all forms of forced labour, protection against retrospective criminal laws and repeated trials, equality of all persons before the law, prohibition of banishment and freedom of movement, freedom of speech, assembly and association and religion. All these recommendations are acceptable to Government. The Commission has also recommended the inclusion of three new Articles not written in the Malaysian Constitution, viz.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Members will recall that I made a Ministerial Statement in Parliament on 22nd December last year on the setting up of a Constitutional Commission under the chairmanship of the Honourable the Chief Justice, with the Speaker as Deputy Chairman, and consisting of eminent legal persons, with the following terms of reference: (a) To receive and consider representations on how the rights of the racial, linguistic and religious minorities can be adequately safeguarded in the Constitution. (b) To consider what provisions should be made to ensure that no legislation, which by its practical application is considered likely to be discriminatory against members of any racial, linguistic or religious group, should be enacted before adequate opportunities have been given for representation from parties likely to be aggrieved. (c) To consider what remedies should be provided for any citizen or group of citizens who claim that he or they have been discriminated against by any act or decision of the government or the administration or any statutory board or public body constituted by law and to recommend the machinery for the redress of any complaints. (d) To consider how such provisions can be entrenched in the Constitution. The Commission presented its Report to the President on 27th August, 1966, and copies of this Report have been tabled before this House for information and study by Members. This valuable Report is the culmination of careful deliberation by eminent legal personalities and I wish to record Government's appreciation of their public service. I wish to take the opportunity also to thank the various individuals and organisations listed in the Appendices to the Report, for their representations and views which were of much assistance to the Commission.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the amount provided under this vote is to be utilised for works on Government owned land and premises. This is necessary because Government-owned land and premises have to be kept good and proper condition to prevent deterioration, otherwise more repairs will have to be undertaken in the future to make good the defects. The work to be carried out under vote is as follows: (1) Installation of modern sanitation to buildings and quarters; (2) Installation of traffic signs painting of road-lines within Government precincts, for example, the General Hospital; (3) Erection of fencing on Government land where necessary; (4) Renovation of fountains; (5) Construction of retaining to prevent landslides; (6) Making up of access roads leading to Government buildings; (7) Installation of water meter Government quarters and institutions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am well aware of the traffic congestion at the two areas referred to by the Member for River Valley. The first is at River Valley Road and the second is at Irwell Bank Road. I am well aware of this congestion because I pass along these roads every day. As I have stated before, we hope that the introduction of a one-way traffic system along these two roads will somewhat lessen congestion. In addition - the Member for River Valley will be pleased to know - we have plans to widen both roads at these junctions which are congested. In addition to widening the roads where possible, we will be introducing slip streams into the roads so that traffic can go along and slip into side-ways on to the main road. Like the Member for River Valley, I too hope that the introduction of the one-way traffic system and the widening of the roads at these congested junctions will considerably reduce traffic problems at these two spots.”
“Sir, in order to reduce somewhat the congestion of traffic along Orchard Road, we will be introducing a one-way traffic system along that road at the beginning of next year. Starting from Tanglin Circus, it will be one-way traffic down past Hotel Singapura, along Orchard Road, past the Lido Theatre, right down to the Circus in front of the Istana, then along Stamford Road into town and round the Padang. Then back towards Orchard Road, there are several streams. One, from say the junction of Elgin Bridge along River Valley Road, right up Oxley Rise, down towards the Circus in front of the Straits Times building, then up Irwell Bank Road towards the Circus and then into Grange Road and from Grange Road back to Tanglin Circus. That will all be one-way. In between, say, Grange Road and Orchard Road, roads like Paterson Road, Killiney Road, Oxley Road, some will be completely one-way and some will have traffic going both ways but they have to turn if they are in the wrong direction either at the Orchard Road side or the River Valley Road side. Because of the one-way traffic, we have had to cut down some of the palm trees which are part of the beauty of the City in front of the Istana Negara. Some people thought we were cutting down those palms to put up another fountain. Unfortunately, we are not. We got rid of the palm trees because of the one-way traffic. There will be traffic lights at this junction and the traffic police were of the view that if the palm trees were left there, they would interfere with the lights. So it was with much regret that we decided to get rid of these palm trees which were, if I remember correctly, planted by the Japanese during the occupation of Singapore.”
“The increase in the provision is because there are many more projects for this year. We are expanding very rapidly in all departments, and particularly in these departments, --- animal husbandry, agriculture and fisheries. We are putting up a new fish market at Jurong, which formed the subject of a question a few weeks ago and the central abattoirs. These cost quite a bit of money.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Fisheries Research Station in Changi was originally established and maintained by six Governments. They are the British, Malaya, Brunei, Sarawak, Borneo and Singapore Governments. It was through no fault of the Singapore Government that the Fisheries Research Station at Changi was not put to use. The building was owned by the British Government, and for some years even the National Trades Union Congress used it as a holiday bungalow. But even they decided to give it up. Recently it was handed over to the Singapore Government by the British Government. The decision to convert it into a Fisheries Training Centre is based on the fact that this building was specially designed for training and research purposes. Since we have to build a Fisheries Training Centre to promote and encourage deep-sea and off-shore fishing, it will cost the Government considerably more money if we have to build a completely new building on another site. The Centre will have to be properly equipped and constructed with laboratory facilities and other services, and these are already available at the Centre in Changi. I do not dispute the fact that Changi beach is a proper site for development of beach facilities. However, the Centre is occupying a very small area at the end of Changi Point. It should not cause much distress to persons who wish to use the adjacent beach at Changi. I think it would be difficult to develop Changi to compare with Long Beach, Hawaii or Honolulu. There are other methods to attract tourists, but I will not go into them at the moment.”
“Though I am in charge of the building of this stadium, it operation will be under the Minister for Social Affairs and Culture. I do not think he has any plans at the moment for the actual running and operation of the stadium. But when the time comes and the stadium is built, I can assure the Member for River Valley that consideration will be given to his idea of forming a corporation to run the stadium.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, at the moment there are no plans to build a golf course at Kallang, not even a miniature golf course. I say at the moment. But I have been approached by one of the golfers in Singapore who has asked me to put up a golf course around Kallang Park. He would be satisfied with nine holes and he said that this golf course would bring in a lot revenue and attract tourists. But at the moment I say we have no plans. T plans are, if I may run through the shortly, initially, to build an open stadium to accommodate 50,000 spectators. The stadium will cost between $20 million and $25 million. Piling has commenced and the piling work should be completed by the middle of next year. 6.45 p.m. After the stadium has been completed, attention will be given to the following projects in the complex: (1) a covered stadium to accommodate 10,000 spectators; (2) an open swimming pool; (3) a rifle range; (4) a permanent exhibition hall; (5) floating restaurants; and (6) a multi-storey hotel. There would probably be a ferry service jetty and a mass transport terminal. There would be plenty of playgrounds for children. To go back to the Member for River Valley whether or not a golf course - even a miniature one - will be built, this will depend on the future thinking of my planners.”
“I will not be long, Sir. We have also plans to build a car park near Elgin Bridge and another at the junction of Penang Road and Penang Lane near Fort Canning. This is probably in River Valley.”
“I have not finished. The Member for River Valley wants to withdraw, but -”
“I mentioned the one at Colombo Court yesterday, and the Member for Farrer Park today asked why we do not take more positive action against squatters sitting on the site. We have taken some action. In fact, most of the tenants who use the buildings only for residence have vacated. It is the shopkeepers on the ground floor who are being stubborn, and short of evicting them overnight and putting them on the road - a procedure which we consider highly undesirable - there is no other means to get them out except by persuasion. We have tried this. So far it has failed. Perhaps in the near future we will have to take more drastic action. The other sites for car parks are in Phillip Street. Here we will have to acquire certain valuable land and then again the question of eviction will arise. Some old shop-houses will have to be demolished and again that will take time.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if we can start from the last query: the answer is that I have no plans to build any car park in Sembawang. But to go back existing car parks in the central business districts have, in fact, reached saturation point, with the result that parking schemes have to be extended to the periphery of the city. Although car parks have been incorporated in the urban renewal programme as well as the comprehensive planning of traffic movement and transportation, they would take some time to be built. In order, therefore, to ease the rapidly worsening parking problem brought about by the phenomenal build-up of motor traffic as well as to free the road for a smoother flow of traffic, Government has decided that more multi-storey car parks should be constructed without delay. In view of the very high land values in the central area of the city the development of multi-storey structures solely for car parks is not considered desirable, and instead multi-level and multi-purpose buildings with provision for two levels below ground floors for car parking as well as shopping and office accommodation are to be preferred. What we intend to build is, if I may go back, below ground level an underground car park; above ground level - one or two storeys -shopping, and above that accommodation for offices. The Member for Farrer Park has asked me a direct question whether I intend to build a car park at Clifford Pier. The answer is yes. This car park is being given priority. We have no squatter problems there. The land is vacant. At the moment, it is being used for parking in the open. We intend to build a car park there soon. That will be the first. There are others.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, that, as you have put it, is another question. Some years ago, if I understand the position right, all civil servants were given the opportunity to declare what debts they had. After that, they were not supposed to borrow again. If a civil servant, after declaring his debts, gets further into debt, then he has only himself to blame. But whether or not the relevant Government Order should or should not be revoked is surely a matter which is confined only to civil servants. As far as the general public is concerned, there should be no fear about making complaints against money-lenders. But not one other debtor - by other debtor I mean a non-civil servant - has made any complaint since 1959. DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES FOR 1967 Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 2.38 p.m.”
“However, it would still be necessary for debtors to come forth with evidence if convictions are to be obtained.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, section 33 of the Moneylenders Ordinance provides that: `Any moneylender, who, either personally or by any person acting on his behalf, harasses or intimidates his debtor or any member of the debtor's family at, or watches or besets the residence or place of business or employment of the debtor, or any place at which the debtor receives his wages or any other sum periodically due to him, shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to both such fine and imprisonment:' I am not satisfied that the intention behind this section has been achieved. A successful prosecution under this section would require the debtor to give evidence that he has been harassed or intimidated or that his residence has been besetted by a specific moneylender. Unfortunately, it would appear that debtors are reluctant to come forward with specific complaints. Since the coming into force of the Moneylenders Ordinance on the 11th of September, 1959, there has not been one single instance of a specific complaint to the Registrar of Moneylenders by any debtor to enable a prosecution to be launched under this section of the Ordinance. Amendments to the Moneylenders Ordinance are at present under consideration. One suggestion has been to amend section 33 to make the offence a seizable one. This is to enable any registered moneylenders seen loitering at doorways of Government departments and offices of statutory boards and other commercial organisations to be arrested on the spot on the presumption that they are there for the purpose of committing an offence under this section.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is a good explanation for this. The Estimates are rather confusing and today Members have moved under wrong heads. Here the Member for River Valley has a legitimate question. On the surface of the Estimates, the Director of Public Works appears to be drawing only $11,700 a year and his Deputy Director $21,240. Mr Speaker, Sir, I am glad to say that the post of Director of Public Works brings to the person who holds the post much more than $11,700. In fact, much more than $21,240. But, at the moment, we have no one who is in the permanent position of Director of Public Works and we do not expect that the post will be filled next year. So we have made no provision for the salary of the Director. What appears in the Estimates is, in fact, the total sum of the extra emoluments which will be paid to those who act in substantive positions. For example, today the Deputy Director of Public Works is acting as Director. In addition to his salary of $21,240, he will be paid the difference in basic salary between his acting post and his permanent post divided by two. The Director of Public Works, in fact, is paid a basic salary of $1,950. The Deputy Director is paid $1,770 basic. When the Deputy Director acts as Director, he is paid the difference between those two sums divided by two, roughly $90 a month more. In the same way, when the Deputy Director acts as Director, someone below him will be acting as the Deputy Director and he will be entitled to an acting allowance. And it goes right down. The sum of $11,700 is to make provision for these acting allowances.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this is not a provision just in respect of temporary staff in view of new car parks being built. The fact is that the great majority of the staff in the Car Parks Division are employed on a temporary basis. In fact, all the car parking attendants are not permanent. The reason is this. We feel that this is not a job which is the beginning and the end of the particular employee. We created the job and kept it temporary in order that the employee can improve himself, probably by studying at night, and hope for better things to come. It is for this reason that the staff has always been treated as temporary. Mr Lim Cheng Lock: I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Tang See Chim - That the total sum to be allocated for Head 1108 be reduced by $100.”
“I have had many of these complaints and I have directed the Superintendent of the Car Parks Division not to site open area car parks on any road or street without first having consultations with the Parliamentarian of that constituency.”
“As the Member for River Valley has put it, it is the motorists who are being hit today. But I wonder whether he is referring to my Ministry or that of the Minister for Finance who has upped the licence fees and upped the road taxes that car owners have to pay. The Member wants to know whether there is a policy for car parks. The answer is yes, and it is this. Our problem is that there are more and more motor-cars, motor-bikes, motor-lorries and other vehicles on our roads. A situation has been reached where it is difficult to find car parking space in the city. It is for this reason that the charges for car parking have been increased. Otherwise, it would be difficult for motorists going into town to find a car parking space. Our policy is not to make money. We increase the fees not with that object in mind, but to enable as many motorists as possible to get car parking spaces. There are two types of car parks. One in multi-storey buildings, like the Multi-storey Car Park, and the other is the Underground Car Park at Raffles Place. Both these car parks are about 100 per cent full on two or three days of the week, namely, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and about 90 per cent full on other days. We hope to build more car parks, either multi-storey or underground, and we have in mind Colombo Court behind City Hall. We hope to pull down the old building there and put up car parks. But, as is usual, we are meeting with resistance from tenants who refuse to move. We also hope to build more car parks in open spaces, and we have one in mind along the "Golden Mile" at Nicoll Highway. Many a Parliamentarian has received complaints from members of his constituency about the siting of new car parks in various areas in their constituency.”
“This appears to be Question Time once again! The acquisition of, say, the New World, the Great World, or the Gay World is surely not going to solve our land problem in Singapore. These are not green belt areas. What the Member is worried about is this. She asks why certain lands are not acquired by the Government for resettlement of farmers. The answer is this. We have enough land for farmers as long as these farmers are given not more than two acres, and for the moment we do not find it necessary to acquire more private lands for the purposes of resettlement. I say for the moment only. We may have to acquire more land in the very near future. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): I withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $686,490 for Head 1105 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 1108 -”
“Green belt lands serve the following useful purposes. They are used or reserved for essential purposes, such as farming, recreational and institutional purposes. The uses allowed in green belt lands are light type of uses and afford relief in a situation where development is not only urban but intensively urban. Lastly, green belt lands hold scarce lands in reserve for much more intensive uses should the future requirements of the Republic demand this. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I agree with what the Minister has said just now, but as regards the questions I have asked just now about lands which are reserved for future purposes, his reply is that these lands will be reserved for some future use. I agree to this, but I would like to know whether he can answer me on this point. There are certain areas in Singapore which are not reserved but are used as recreational grounds. These playgrounds are not under the control of the Government, such as a sports stadium. They are under private control for private benefit, for example, amusement parks. Why are they not under the control of Government and put to better use?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Delta has referred to the P.A.P. manifesto, and has condemned the colonial Government for supporting big landlords. I wonder whether she believes that the P.A.P. today is supporting big landlords. If she believes this, then I would refer her to the deletion from our Constitution, since the separation, of Article 13 of the Constitution of Malaysia which only provided for acquisition of land with payment of adequate compensation. I may say here that we have deleted Article 13 and we have no intention of restoring it to the Constitution in its present form or in its amended form. As for the Master Plan, she says again that it was drawn up to satisfy big landlords, that it has been amended from time to time, but that the amendments have been few. I cannot agree that the Master Plan has been drawn up to satisfy the big landlords. She refers to vast areas of lands which have been somewhat sterilised for development. This is the green belt. She asks why such lands are not acquired for resettlement or put to better use. Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is simple. In an urban town like Singapore, one must have a green area around. One must reserve land for future development. The Government is not looking five years or ten years ahead. Being a responsible Government, we must look 30 years or 40 years ahead, and when the time comes, we must have land available for the requirements of that age. When the Member for Delta says that the declaration of land as a green belt sterilises the land, this is not completely true. Green belt lands can be used for farming. One cannot put up flats there, but, besides farming, green belt lands can be used, as the Member has pointed out, for recreational purposes or institutional purposes. To summarise then.”
“I have also received representations from developers suggesting that the Control of Rent Ordinance should be limited in its operation to certain specific areas in the city, namely, the town area. On the other hand, as the Member for Ulu Pandan has pointed out, where a tenant is not protected by the Control of Rent Ordinance, the landlord can evict him without any compensation. This is one end of the stick. The other is where the tenant is protected by the Control of Rent Ordinance and holds the landlord to blackmail. I have heard of a case where a tenant occupying a small hut asked for compensation to the tune of $200,000 from the building developer who, of course, was not willing to pay that sum. The net result is that we are at the moment considering the implications of the Control of Rent Ordinance. We are also considering the setting up of a tribunal to look into the question of providing adequate compensation for tenants or squatters who are evicted whether or not the premises are controlled premises or uncontrolled premises. Mr Speaker, Sir, that deals with the Member for Ulu Pandan. The Member for Kampong Kapor was a little worried about two-room flats being offered to people who ask for one-room flats. You have ruled him out of order, Mr Speaker, but with your permission I would like to say a few words in reply.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Ulu Pandan has referred to disputes between landlords and tenants. He has referred to the Control of Rent Ordinance which protects tenants who occupy buildings built before the 7th day of September, 1947, and which does not protect tenants who occupy buildings built after that date. Mr Speaker, Sir, Members of this House will remember that when this Government first came to power on the 31st of May. 1959, two provisions of the Control of Rent Ordinance were suspended, namely, section 15 (1) (i) and section 15 (1) (k) . Section 15 (1) (i) dealt with cases where the premises consist in whole or in part of a building or buildings of a temporary character, and the site thereof is required by the landlord for the erection of a building or buildings of a permanent character for which plans have been approved by the local authority; or the site thereof is required by the landlord for any purpose which forms an essential part of any building plan or project of a permanent character for which plans have been approved by the local authority. The next paragraph (k) dealt with cases where the landlord of any premises intends to demolish the premises or any part thereof for the purpose of rebuilding on the site or part thereof, and the Court is satisfied that such demolition is necessary in the interests of public health or town improvement either by reason of the condition of the building or otherwise. Mr Speaker, Sir, if I may repeat myself, both paragraphs (i) and (k) have been suspended. I have received many a representation from building developers saying that it is time for this suspension to be lifted and to make these two paragraphs law again.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it is reasonable for the Member for Sembawang to be confused. Legal aid deals with the law and he thought that it is under my Ministry. He has said that there are several complaints but he has not given any details. But if he will forward these allegations to me, I will pass them on to my colleague who is in charge of the department and have them looked into.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there is a total number of 4,489 daily-rated employees. Of these, 1,724 are housed. ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1967 Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [3rd Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 2.42 p.m. Head 1001 -”
“The answer to the question is `No'. The Public Utilities Ordinance does empower the Minister to issue to the Board such general directions as appear to him to be required in the public interest. But it is not considered that the question of providing quarters for the Board's employees is one on which any direction should be issued. Rather, it is one for the Board to consider in consultation with its employees' representatives. As of now, the Board has provided quarters for about 38 per cent of its daily-rated employees at rents ranging from $6 to $16 a month. Free light and water are also supplied with the quarters. With the construction of more quarters in future, the Board expects to provide housing for a larger proportion of its daily-rated employees. At the moment, about 782 units are under construction. In the case of monthly-rated employees, it is the policy of the Board to provide, wherever possible, quarters for officers who are required because of exigencies of service, to live at or near their place of work. About 30 per cent of the Board's senior officers and about 18 per cent of its junior and subordinate officers at present occupy quarters provided by the Board.”
“It is not my department that gives out house numbers. It is the department of another Minister. JURONG CONSTITUENCY (Government expenditure on public projects) 14. Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Law and National Development how much money has been spent by the Government on public projects such as improvement of roads, installation of stand-pipes and the supply of electricity in the Jurong Constituency since January, 1963.”
“Sir, when I referred to an unnumbered house, I meant that the house is at present unnumbered. But, of course, when we supply water and install a meter, we will give that house a convenient number.”
“The answer is that we are not going to put in any more stand-pipes in any area, whether it is rural or urban. Mr Speaker, Sir, water is one of our basic necessities and it is not easy to get in Singapore. The standpipes in Singapore consume about 7½ to 8 million gallons per day. The Government is not afraid of supplying the 7 or 8 million gallons per day, and supplying it free. It is not the cost that worries us. It is the wastage. Mr Speaker, I am sure that Members of this House have seen on many an occasion someone washing his lorry or motor-bike, or using a long tube from the standpipe to his house about 500 yards away, and using the water for domestic purposes - that would be well and good. But normally they use it for their motor-cars, their lorries and their motor-bikes. We have reached a stage in Singapore where we find it most inadvisable to put in any more standpipes. In fact, we intend to reduce the number of standpipes as far as possible. This does not mean that we will not supply water; instead we will supply it direct to every house in Singapore, whether that house is authorised or unauthorised, numbered or unnumbered. Mr Bernard Rodrigues (Telok Blangab) rose -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know how this is relevant, but I believe the Member wants to know whether I would consider installing more standpipes in the rural areas.”
“And we will continue to consult them. Mr Ng Kah Ting: That is what I want.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I can assure the Member for Punggol and all other Members in this House that when anything is done in a constituency, they are always consulted. An hon. Member: Hear, hear!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think my Parliamentary Secretary has made it quite clear. He says that it cannot be done because it is too expensive and we are not going to do it. STREET LIGHTING AT LORONG NAPIRI AND PUNGGOL ROAD 13. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether and when street-lighting will be installed at (a) Lorong Napiri off Yio Chu Kang Road, 7 m.s., (b) Track 6 off Punggol Road, (c) Track 7 off Punggol Road, and (d) from 9½ m.s. Punggol Road to Punggol Point.”
“On a point of order, Sir. If the Member is asking a supplementary, I think he should get on to it. We have had many a supplementary in this House preceded by a long speech.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau is at present conducting investigations into certain alleged malpractices in building construction carried out by the Housing and Development Board. No disciplinary or other action has as yet been taken because the investigations are not complete. I am satisfied with the progress of the investigations which are being carried out very thoroughly, but have been impeded by certain natural obstacles. At this stage, it would not be appropriate for me to say what information or evidence has so far been obtained because the investigations may be prejudiced. However, Mr Speaker, Sir, I expect to be able soon to make a fuller statement on the matter when the investigations are completed. Mr Tang See Chim rose -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, under the existing employment laws, namely, the Labour Ordinance, the Shop Assistants Employment Ordinance and the Clerks Employment Ordinance, all categories of piece-rated workers who are working under a contract of service enjoy exactly the same protection as others employed on a salary basis. Only persons employed as independent contractors, that is to say, workers over whose work the person employing them has no control, are not covered by the law. LICENSED NIGHT CLUBS 9. Madam Chan Choy Siong asked the Minister for Culture and Social Affairs (a) the number of night clubs licensed under the Public Entertainments Ordinance, 1958, as on 1st December, 1966; (b) the number of applications for new licences under consideration; and (c) the number of licensed night clubs before Singapore Day.”
“No, Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not aware of any cases of forged new identity cards. There are many cases of forged old identity cards. One of the objects of introducing the new laminated identity cards is to prevent easy forgery. If what the Member for Joo Chiat is saying is true, it must be rather disturbing and I will be happy to investigate any such allegations.”
“I am not aware of any such citizens who have been so rejected. But if any such case should arise, I can assure the Member for Bras Basah that any such person claiming citizenship by descent will be given the opportunity to swear allegiance if he has not sworn allegiance in the past. Perhaps the Member is referring to cases who have passed the age of 22. They are supposed to swear within the one-year period. I think the Member is worried about such cases. I can assure him that even in those cases the persons concerned will be given every opportunity to swear an oath of allegiance.”
“That is correct. Surely it does not come under this head.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this matter raised by the Member for Bras Basah, in my view, is completely irrelevant to the question I am answering. But if he will put another question to the House, I will be prepared to answer it some other day. This is a question on the number of citizens and non-citizens who have been registered. I am not aware of the cases to which the Member has referred. Mr Speaker: I think Mr Ho's question deals with problems that have arisen since last Friday as a result of the Constitution Modification Order.”
“Not a bouquet, but to give you the figures of the amount of money paid by the Government from 1961 to 1966. In 1961 we paid about $275,000 as compensation; 1962 $924,000; 1963 $1,698,000; 1964 $3,365,000; 1965 $5,451,000; and for the first 10 months of this year, we have already paid more than $4 million in compensation. So we have spent quite a bit of money in respect of resettlement. We have not forced any person out of his house without proper care or reasonable compensation. It is accepted that to get a family to move out from a place where the members have lived for many years is not a simple operation. The Government has, therefore, made it a policy not to upset such families unless it is absolutely necessary, as in the case of land being required for a public purpose, for road widening, for reclamation, for a school, for a clinic, or for public housing. Even then it must be explained, for the benefit of those who pretend to be so indignant, that an infinite amount of patience, tolerance and sympathy has always been exercised to make resettlement as painless as possible. We would be happier if it would not be necessary to upset or uproot any family, but, hon. Gentlemen, the alternative is to have no development, no roads, no new schools, no clinics, and no housing. Surely this is not what you critics want. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn. Adjourned accordingly at Thirteen minutes past Seven o'clock p.m. to Wednesday, 14th December, 1966.”
“The hut owner will be reimbursed for the house occupied by his immediate family and for other improvements in accordance with the schedule of approved rates. These benefits are also extended to families who elect to find their own accommodation. Shopkeepers - Category C - affected by clearance are given priority in the allocation of alternative shops in various Housing and Development Board estates at concessional rentals without having to go through the normal tender system. Perhaps before I close, it would not be out of order for me to give you -”