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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“Compensation to owners of the land will be based on specific provisions in the Land Acquisition Act, which provides that the market value of the land shall be computed on the basis that the land is a burial ground, disregarding any potential value of the land for more intensive use. The Government will continue to give time to those directly affected by these acquisitions especially to the relatives of those whose graves have to be exhumed, so that their wishes after exhumation of the remains can be met. The needs of Singapore's young population must require the use of sterilised land, for the economic and social good of all citizens of Singapore.”
“Sir, land in Singapore is scarce and valuable. It is, therefore, vital for us that all land be put to maximum use. The needs and pace of development have necessitated the acquisition of private lands (including a number of private cemeteries) for various public projects. Out of the 58,678 hectares of land in Singapore, 2,146 hectares are occupied by 213 burial grounds. 172 of these burial grounds covering 862 hectares (about 1.5% of the total area of our Island) have been closed for burial and will thus remain sterilised until redevelopment takes place. Over the next few years, all private cemeteries, including Chinese clan or privately owned cemeteries and Muslim cemeteries on wakaff lands, which have been closed for burials, will be acquired as and when required for development. A number of cemetery sites which are required for development by 1980 will shortly be gazetted for acquisition. The remaining burial grounds will be gazetted nearer the date of redevelopment. In all, a total of 324.55 hectares of cemetery lands will be acquired for public purposes - 294.32 hectares (90.69%) are Chinese cemeteries; 24.25 hectares (7.47%) are Muslim cemeteries; whilst 5.98 hectares (1.84%) are cemeteries belonging to other denominational groups. Redevelopment of the Chinese burial grounds, which account for more than 90% of the total area, involves not only the exhumation of graves, but also, in some cases, the clearance of temples and squatter houses. Clearance of those affected by the acquisitions will be undertaken by the Resettlement Department in accordance with its current policy.”
“Sir, we have come to the end of a long session. May I thank all Members for their contributions, some valuable and some not so valuable, a few irrelevant on occasions but many made pertinent points. But each did his best. I am glad that Members spoke freely and without restraint. I ask Members to continue to do so. Mr Speaker, Sir, it remains for Members of this House to join me in thanking you, Sir, the Deputy Speaker, and the hon. Member for Jalan Kayu for listening to us so patiently during the last nine days. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to Friday, 7th April, 1978 " - [Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-six minutes past Four o'clock p.m. to Friday, 7th April, 1978. figures - ATTENDANCES AT A & E DEPARTMENTS FOR PERIOD 1974 - 1977, COMPARISON OF A & E ATTENDANCES FOR OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1976 and 1977 (Cols. 1471 - 1472) table - PRESENT AND PROPOSED NEW SCHEME OF DENTAL TREATMENT CHARGES, LIST OF ORAL SURGICAL OPERATIONS (Cols. 1473 - 1478)”
“On the completion of the reclamation, the reclaimed land will be proclaimed as State land and alienated to the Corporation on terms and conditions to be agreed with the Commissioner of Lands. 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 that portion of the foreshore and seabed off Tuas, Jurong, containing an area of approximately 34.64 hectares as shown coloured blue on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/78" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. SUBSCRIPTION IN INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND 4.15 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the Motion* standing in my name as it appears on the Order Paper. *The Motion reads as follows: That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Act (Chapter 270), approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the foreshore and seabed off Tuas, Jurong, containing an area of approximately 34.64 hectares as shown coloured blue on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/78" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. Sir, in June 1972, this House approved the reclamation of approximately 332 hectares of the foreshore and seabed off Tuas as shown coloured green on the inset plan of the plan marked as "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/78", a copy of which is displayed in the Library of this House for the information of Members. The reclamation, undertaken by the Jurong Town Corporation as agents of the Government, was for industrial, housing, institutional and recreational purposes. A section of this reclamation, as shown coloured green on the plan, is still in progress. To provide more land for future industrial use, the Corporation now proposes to reclaim a further area of approximately 34.64 hectares of the foreshore and seabed as shown coloured blue on the plan. The proposed reclamation will also provide a more regular coastline and boundary (as shown in broken black lines on the plan) which will link up with the dyke at Tengeh Reservoir, north of the reclamation site, being constructed by the Public Utilities Board. The reclamation project, which will be completed in about ten months' time, is estimated to cost the Corporation about $2 million. Fill for the reclamation will be obtained by levelling the existing hills in the Jurong Industrial Estate.”
“Sir, the Member did not say that the quotation was from the Addendum to the President's Speech. The Member merely quoted from volumes and columns. Following what the Member said, I thought it was from a speech of a Minister. If it was from the Addendum to the President's Speech, then the Member should say so clearly.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise not to defend the Senior Minister of State for Education. He is capable of defending himself. But if a Member, like the Member for Punggol, quotes profusely from Hansard, this volume and that volume, to be fair to the Senior Minister of State the Member should say who the author was. It takes about nine or 10 years before any policy on education is found to be right or wrong. The person replying is not even the Minister in charge. He is a Senior Minister of State. He is not even Acting Minister. To be fair to him, if the Member quotes a passage he should say who said it.”
“Sir, it really depends. When I say "within two to three days", I do not mean that we go on the third day. PROMOTION OF STAGNATED TEACHERS 5. Encik Sidek bin Saniff asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how many stagnated teachers were interviewed in the recent promotion exercise, and how many of them have been promoted to the Education Officer III grade.”
“I would say in a matter of two to three days.”
“Sir, we are not banning the daching because it has been used for more than 100 years in Singapore. There have been frequent cheatings on the daching, but the consumer too is becoming a little cleverer these days and most of them can read the daching.”
“Sir, not as far as I am aware of. But the Member has a point. The instrument may be correct but it is up to the consumer to check the instrument whenever he buys. The officer goes out to check whether the instruments are faulty. If there is blatant cheating going on, it is difficult to check unless the officer is there himself.”
“Sir, the office carries out regular checks. On receiving complaints, they make further checks. But I am afraid I cannot answer the last supplementary question as to how many prosecutions resulted from complaints as I do not have the figures here.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, officers of the Weights and Measures office carry out regular checks on weighing and measuring instruments in markets, shops and other retail outlets. If the instruments are found to be incorrect or tampered with, they are brought back to the office for further inspection. Summonses are issued to the users if it is confirmed that their instruments are faulty. Over the last six months, the office made spot checks on 60 days, or approximately 10 days per month. In all, about 9,300 weighing and measuring instruments were checked in various places. During the same period, that is to say, the last six months, between four and 11 offenders were prosecuted every month. Of the total of 38 persons prosecuted, 35 were convicted for possession and use of faulty instruments. The fines imposed ranged from $100 to $500. Under the Act, any person committing an offence is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or imprisonment not exceeding three months or both. I mentioned that 38 persons were prosecuted. Of this number, three cases are still pending a hearing in court.”
“The Board is now engaged in educating the people through personal contacts at the markets and exhibitions at community centres. Up to-date, 17 constituencies have been covered. I do not know whether they have gone to Potong Pasir, but if the Member is anxious I will arrange for an exhibition as soon as possible.”
“Sir, metrication has progressed well but not easily. The programme was initiated in 1971 and the Board's plan was to complete the programme over a period of ten years in three phases. The first phase, the conversion of the public sector, was completed as early as 1973. The second phase, the conversion of the industrial and the manufacturing sectors, has been largely completed. The Board is now working on the final phase, the conversion of the retail trade sector. So far we have been successful and we expect the programme to be completed on schedule. The Board itself carries out monitoring of the reaction of the people towards metrication and their progress in learning the system. A survey on housewives conducted in 1975 has shown that about 50% of housewives were familiar with the system. Subsequent surveys at market places showed that the majority of housewives now accept metrication and are also able to use the basic metric units like the kilogram and metre, though most of them are more familiar with the kati. But it is the majority of the older people, people like me, who have been so used to the old system of yards and feet and pounds, who get a little confused when it comes to kilograms or metres. That is not so bad. I understand what a gallon is. But when you talk about a 'litre' - it is not 'litter', but 'litre' - I get a bit giddy, I understand 'litter' better. But as I have said, metrication will take a long, long time. As for more surveys, a survey was conducted in the middle of last year amongst retailers to determine their ability to sell in metric units. The survey showed that about 88% of the retailers in the markets possessed metric instruments and were able to sell in metric units. In the case of provision shops, the metric capability was over 90%.”
“Apparently, Sir, not very much. We are just able to keep abreast of development in the field of nuclear energy and obtain the necessary training from the IAEA for our manpower. Perhaps in the long term we might see more benefits. But for the short term I am very pessimistic.”
“Sir, since the last energy crisis in 1973, large scale research and development on the use of solar energy has taken place in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and other countries. Though there have been studies made in Singapore at our University, I think the widespread use of solar energy here is most likely to be dependent on the success or otherwise of research and development elsewhere. As for wind, a study has been conducted in the University to evaluate the prospects of utilising wind power, but I am afraid the results are rather discouraging. While it is technically feasible on a small scale to use wind power on the off-shore islands, it is not likely to be of economic or practical use on the main island because our winds are not consistent. They blow anywhere, off-shore or in-shore and at any time they please. As for the increase of our contribution to the International Atomic Energy Agency, this is partly due to an increase in the IAEA regular ,budget, from US$37 million to US$45 million in 1978, and partly due to the increase of the UN scale of assessment of Singapore, from 0.04% to 0.08%. That seems to be the level of increase in our development. They consider us no longer a developing country but a developed country. But we have benefited through our participation in IAEA seminars, symposiums, study tours, training courses and workshops and the receipt of their publications. We have even had technical assistance from them in the form of fellowships, experts and equipment. But I think the Member wanted to know mainly why we have to pay more. I have given him the reason.”
“Water rationing last occurred in Singapore in 1963. I remember that in 1963 we consumed about 65 million gallons of water daily. Today it has gone up by double to about 130 million gallons. This is not merely due to the increase in population, which is under control, but the tremendous industrial expansion that has taken place not only in Jurong but in other parts of Singapore. But I would urge MPs and their constituents not to indiscriminately throw rubbish into drains especially those where the storm water is diverted into the reservoirs.”
“Sir, water is precious. That is why the Chairman of the PUB is always asking us not only to save water but especially not to waste it. We have so much rainfall in Singapore that it would be a waste to see all this water going down our drains and canals into the seas. For this reason, certain catchments in Singapore have been earmarked as water catchments and the drains in these areas are so constructed that the storm water will flow directly into the reservoirs located within these catchments. Or if there are no reservoirs, the drains will channel the water to suitable points from which the water is eventually pumped into the reservoir. One such scheme is the Bukit Timah diversion canal near the Turf Club which can divert the flood waters from Bukit Timah to Ulu Pandan. This has served two purposes. It has alleviated flooding along Bukit Timah to a great extent, so much so we have not had a serious flood along that road since the canal was built. At the same time, one-third of the water along the canal is diverted to the Pandan reservoir. I believe Pandan reservoir is already in operation and supplies a few million gallons of water a day. Another such scheme is in Bedok where the drains have been constructed to channel rain water to suitable points near the Bedok reservoir. The Member may be interested to know that even the drains in the proposed Tampines New Town are being planned so that water can be subsequently pumped into the Bedok reservoir. One other place where a similar scheme with regard to water supply is concerned, is the Ang Mo Kio New Town. We get part of our water from Johore and, as far as it is possible, we intend to develop every source of water supply on the island that we can lay our hands on. We must do it.”
“Sir, as I have said, there are three electrostatic filters with a 150 metre chimney, and as the Prime Minister is in charge of the Anti-Pollution Unit, the Member can be sure that the Ministry of the Environment will not pollute the atmosphere.”
“The Member for Punggol has given me most of the facts, but I assure him that the incinerator will be completed by the end of this year. It will have a maximum incineration capacity of 1,200 tons of refuse a day. It will have three boilers which will produce steam to generate 11 megawatts electricity. The plant itself will consume 3 Mw power and the balance will be sold to the PUB. The Member is right in saying that the cost is approximately $85 million, part of which has been obtained through a loan ($25 million) from the IBRD. It will have three electrostatic filters and a 150 metre chimney which is already up, costing about $6 million, to ensure that the flue gases meet the stringent standards set by the Anti-Pollution Unit. Perhaps the Member is more concerned about the Tampines dumping ground. At present about 2,000 tons of refuse are disposed of at Tampines and Lim Chu Kang dumping grounds. Even when the incineration plant is in operation, I am sorry to inform the Member, that we will still have to continue dumping refuse in Tampines.”
“Cleanliness of what? If it is the garbage site, I say yes. The Environment Ministry moves the rubbish, and if the place is unclean, the HDB is at fault. But if the drains are dirty, if the place is littered, surely it is not the HDB. The HDB does its best to clean the drains. If the drains are clean and the place is littered again, surely we should take action against the litter bugs who, in that case, will not be the HDB.”
“I promise the Member that if the indiscriminate dumping of refuse and littering continues, we will have to take tougher action than mere persuasion. That action will be against the litter bugs.”
“Sir, the HDB builds houses for the people. The Ministry of the Environment staff sees that the place is clean. The Member for Potong Pasir wants my Ministry to prosecute the HDB for, he says, uncleanliness. The situation in HDB flats is this. The refuse bin centre is operated and maintained by the HDB. But the Ministry of the Environment removes refuse from the bin centres daily. The bin centre is supposed to be cleaned and washed by HDB workmen daily. When complaints are received that cleanliness is lacking, officers of my Ministry carry out joint inspections with the estate officer for the area and takes remedial action. To say that the drains and the place are unclean does not mean that it is entirely the fault of the HDB. What about the people living in the flats? The common complaint is the throwing of rubbish from the top floor down to the others. Instead of prosecuting the HDB if warnings are not observed, we would rather persuade, and we work closely with the HDB in an effort to provide a cleaner and brighter home for the people. Sir, garbage stinks and sometimes left in the sun to rot, it stinks even more. But they should clean the place daily. If the Member has any complaints of a particular estate or a block in an estate, we will look into it, An hon. Member: Lorong 8!”
“Sir, the penal rate was introduced to discourage hawkers from asking for larger stalls or for more than one stall. It is a pity Members complaining here did not raise these matters when I made a Ministerial Statement last year on the revision of fees. Now the fees have been implemented. Nearly a year has elapsed. But it does not mean to say that once implemented that is the end of the story. We will give representations every consideration except that it would have been better if Members had spoken up at the relevant time.”
“In spite of all the facilities provided by the Government like better sites and environment, they do not take full advantage of them. They only know how to complain about lack of facilities and find fault with many things. They are not doing anything to improve their business such as providing better service in order to attract more customers. They are not so dynamic and they lack initiative. They depend on the Government or Members of Parliament to do many things for them. This attitude of dependence is very undesirable. If we allow it to develop, in the long run it will be detrimental to themselves, and it will also not do the country any good. I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to our hawkers to brace their efforts and learn from the pioneering spirit of the older generation of hawkers the way to struggle and strive to improve their business instead of depending on the Government or the Members of Parliament to improve their business for them. These are the points I wish to raise in reply.”
“At present in the Telok Blangah constituency there are three markets under the HDB. There are a total of 555 to 560 stalls with 69 vacancies. This is because the neighbouring hawkers have already moved into shophouses and so they do not need the stalls in the markets. These vacancies are now open to applicants who can satisfy the conditions. Any interested member of the public in the Telok Blangah constituency, in the age group of 40 and 60 years, can always go to the Housing Board office to apply for a hawker stall in the market. Talking about complaints of poor business in certain markets, including the few that we have just mentioned, from our past experience I would say that in new markets normally a certain period of time must be allowed to build up business. In other words, initially the business may not be very good. The main reason is that in the new markets, although we have provided as large and wide a variety of stalls and facilities as possible some hawkers do not want to be pioneers in new markets. They would rather wait for other hawkers to move in first and then they will move in later. As a result of this wait-and-see attitude, the range of goods on offer is less than complete, as originally planned. Therefore residents also do not like to patronise the market. This is one of the problems that we are facing, but I believe that after some time when the flats are fully occupied business in the new market will improve. Sir, here I would like to touch on the lack of initiative and dynamism on the part of hawkers themselves in recent years. Unlike the past, hawkers then were very hardworking, dynamic and full of drive. The hawkers at present are not so dynamic and they lack the pioneering spirit and the drive to survive.”
“That is how we arrived at this classification of A and B. The Member for Telok Blangah has also raised several matters regarding hawkers in the Ministry of the Environment. He referred to the age limit imposed on applicants for hawker licences i.e. between the ages of 40 and 60 years. He was saying that people who are more than 60 years old and physically fit should also be considered. We are looking into this matter. We have imposed this age limit to deter able-bodied young people who refuse to go into productive employment, from applying for hawker licences in the names of their elders for their own benefit. Of course, if there are cases of people who are more than 60 years old but are physically fit and they are widows or widowers and do not have other people to support them, we will give them special consideration. But I think the age limit of 40 to 60 years is still a sound and valid restriction insofar as we want to prevent younger people from making use of the names of their elders to apply for licences. As regards the choice or option to be given to resettlement cases, I think we have been giving these people three options as far as possible. And we also give them more than three hawker centres or markets to choose from. Not only that, we also allow these stallholders to change their trade or the goods or food to be sold. But there must be a time limit for them to exercise this option. Otherwise administratively we will find it difficult to implement our policy. Sir, from experience over the past few years we realise that granting a stall to someone is not the end to his problem. It is really not so simple. We have come to know that certain stallholders keep on asking for a change of stalls from time to time.”
“The Member also asked whether we can work out on a pro-rate basis. I think we have administrative difficulties here because we have different sizes of hawker stalls. When it comes to the collection of hawker licence fees and rentals, it is difficult to administrate because of the wide variation in the size of the stalls. If stallholders feel that they are unable to pay the rentals or licence fees, perhaps we can ask them to consider a transfer to a smaller stall within the same market or to another market in his own constituency or in another constituency. This is something that we can do to solve their problem, The next point raised by the Member for Whampoa is the lack of classification of A and B for collection of fees. Sir, there is a long history to this classification of A and B. I have been attached to the Ministry for the Environment for quite some time. I think older Members in this House still recollect that we have inherited this classification from the former City Council which practised classification of markets into not only A and B but also C and D. Since the present Government took over the functions and responsibilities of Local Government and the City Council which were disbanded, we have gradually simplified and unified the administration, as far as possible. In the sixties we also abolished C and D classifications. Later in 1970, for the sake of easier administration, we set up a special committee. In the implementation of recommendations of the special committee, licence fees were further simplified, leaving the classifications of A and B applicable to any area whether it is in the city, rural, or suburban areas. Any hawker centre built after 1970 would be classified as A, and those small markets built before 1970 would be classified under B.”
“As regards hardship cases applying for hawker licences, in the processing of such cases the Hawkers' Department or the MP must always realise that it is a difficult case to handle because those who satisfy the conditions and regulations can always go to the Housing Board offices or the Hawkers Department to apply for hawker stalls on the 1st to the 14th of each month. Some of these applicants think that if they make application through the Member of Parliament they will be able to get better stalls or given priority or an opportunity to choose stalls of their choice. i do not think we can satisfy such conditions of application. Furthermore, many of these people who claim hardship do not have the adequate capital or adequate experience in the business. Although stalls have been allotted to them, they will either wait for six months to apply for a transfer, or just do not do any business at all. They will never attempt to commence their business. They only want to get their stalls first and then wait for an opportune time to apply for transfer to a better place where they think they can do a better business. This is another difficulty facing us at the moment. Many of them think that hawking is a profitable business. It is not everybody who can adjust his life to that of a hawker. 4.45 p.m. Sir, the Member for Whampoa also has raised certain points regarding hawkers. One was the question of hardship cases which I have already answered in general, and I do not want to go further than that. Next, he took up the matter of increase of rental by two- or three-fold. He said just now that the calculation of rentals was based on a minimum of 10 square metres, that if it was more than 10 square metres the rental would be doubled. This is only an administrative arrangement.”
“In a family of five, six or seven members, then the calculation will be different. So we have adopted a flexible way of calculating or computing the family income. In the case of stallholders who have asked for permission to change stalls or to change his trade, we always try to accommodate their request but within certain constraints. If they cannot satisfy those conditions, we have to reject their request. So far as market stallholders are concerned, approval of a change of stall, commodities or goods to be sold, or transfer to other markets, will depend on the vacancies available in the neighbouring markets, or whether such vacancies are reserved for the resettlement of hawkers affected by development projects. But generally, if there are vacancies available in any market or centre we will accommodate their request for a transfer or a change of stalls. That is what I mean by "satisfying the conditions". The Member also wishes to know what plans there are to build markets over the next few years, how many hawker stalls will be available, and how many hawkers have been resettled from the streets to markets and food centres. Sir, in the next five years, that is, from 1978 to 1982, the Government has plans to build 37 more markets and food centres, with a total number of more than 7,300 stalls. These markets and food centres will be constructed mostly in Housing Board estates or housing estates of statutory boards. In so far as street hawkers are concerned, we found out that there are about 8,700 hawkers plying on the streets. Over the past few years, the number of street hawkers resettled into markets and centres amounted to 19,300. They have been resettled from the streets to markets or hawker centres or other designated areas.”
“On the matter of unification of policy and the implementation thereof, I would say that they are now uniform. As regards differences in rentals, there is still no arrangement to standardise rentals. Hawkers under the Ministry of the Environment are under a licensing scheme, These hawkers have to pay hawker licence fees once in three months. Under the HDB, however, they have to pay rentals. So these are two different schemes. Arising tom the adjustment of rentals last year, hawkers under the HDB or other statutory boards have to pay, on renewal of their lease agreement, new rates of stamp fees. We have liaised with those statutory boards and the HDB. The stamp fee is required upon the renewal of the rental agreement for a period of three years. However, the stamp fee is payable only in the first year, and for the remaining two years they are not required to pay any stamp fee. The Member for Henderson also said that we are driving away the hawkers tom the roadside. Actually we are not driving them away. What we are trying to do is to move them from the roadside into covered markets and hawker centres. If he uses the term "drive them away", the literal meaning in Chinese gives a wrong impression and a wrong meaning. Here, I would like to clarify that we are resiting them to a more proper site and location. - In other words, it is a matter of resettlement. Next, I will answer the points raised by the Member for Kim Seng. Some of the points had been raised in the past. My Minister has already answered them just now, for example, hardship cases will be considered compassionately. In hardship cases, the income ceiling has been raised from $250 to $400 last year. This income criterion is based on four members in a family.”
“He said that, if possible, the Government should unify the administration of hawker control to enable the Ministry of the Environment to take over hawker centres from the HDB or other departments so as to centralise the management. I say that at the moment we have no intention to take over HDB hawkers or hawker centres under the control of statutory boards. We also have no such plans to take over in the future. As regards the unification of management of hawkers, in the past two years we have set up a Hawkers' Licensing Coordination Committee so that the policies formulated would be uniform. He has also mentioned about the different periods of building these markets and hawker centres and also the disparity in the maintenance of some of them. In Jalan Membina, the hawker centre was built in the 1960s. Of course, comparing it with those built in the 1970s this hawker centre must be different, both in structure and facilities. This goes to show that we are improving upon the building and facilities of hawker centres. At different times there should be different types of hawker centres. On the other hand, because of changing circumstances the requirements at that time were different from the requirements for a hawker centre today. At that time the hawkers at hawker centres were mainly selling daily necessities such as fish and meat. But when we build a new market today to house them, we have to provide storage space to accommodate such trades. At the particular market in question, we have 118 stalls. There is also provision for 40 cooked food stalls and in the hawker centre, there are eight stalls in the large compound selling sundry goods. As and when a stall in the cooked food centre is vacated, we gradually move in those stalls which are located outside at the moment.”
“The mosquitoes are still with us. We are doing our best to control the diseases that are caused by -mosquitoes: dengue fever, malaria. Members may be interested in the figures. Since the last outbreak of dengue haemorrhagic fever in 1973, Singapore has escaped two large epidemics which swept through the region. Last year, there were only 92 cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever. As far as malaria is concerned, there were 184 cases last year. This is the lowest for the last 15 years. Members should not be over concerned about the 184 cases. I keep a constant eye every week on the cases of malaria, typhoid fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever. Every week in Singapore there are about five to seven cases of malaria, but nearly all are imported. Being an international centre, we are exposed. People come in and go out. They bring in malaria. We have to be constantly on our guard to see that malaria does not spread. In this direction we are doing our best. 4.30 p.m. As for mosquito breeding, we are doing our best too. Last year we carried out 354,000 inspections for mosquito breeding throughout the island - in residential houses, flats, estates, hospitals, factories and construction sites. Of these, nearly 7,000 places were found to be breeding mosquitoes. Notices were issued to warn people to stop breeding mosquitoes and, where these notices were ignored, prosecutions were commenced. I will leave it to my Parliamentary Secretary to deal in detail with the "complaints", if I may use the word, of the other Members. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment (Mr Chor Yeok Eng)( In Mandarin): Sir, first, allow me to reply to the Member for Henderson about his problems.”
“Between July and December 1977, whilst only 13 prosecutions concerned supermarkets, 423 other prosecution cases involved food handlers in hawker centres, restaurants and other eating establishments. We have had our campaigns. In 1975, there was the "Better Food for Better Health" campaign, and in 1974 a mini campaign on food hygiene. Bad habits die hard, and therefore we must continue with our public health education and enforcement if they go against the law. The next point that worries the Member every year is his hawker centre. Members will recall that last year the Member asked for a hawker centre. And when my Parliamentary Secretary replied that there were no plans for a hawker centre in Anson, this led to a clash. Let me assure the Member that the lack of progress in the building of this hawker centre is not due to any discrimination against Anson or lack of effort on our part. It is still very difficult to find a suitable site for a centre in the close vicinity of the hawkers in the Anson Constituency. But I assure the Member that my Ministry will continue to liaise with the URA and the HDB to see whether a hawker centre can be incorporated in one of their projects within the constituency. As for price control, we require hawkers and stallholders to display prices of goods and foodstuffs sold. But it is not considered desirable for the department to control prices for the different commodities and foodstuffs. If Members think some stalls are charging them through the nose, I would suggest that they avoid those stalls. The Member complains of mosquito breeding. I remember other Members complaining when the Member for Geylang West was the Minister for Health.”
“I assure Members that we will give it every consideration. Members must remember that even the HDB has this combined income limit ruling, where if a person wants to rent a flat, his combined family income should not exceed $500, and if he wants to purchase a flat. his combined family income should not exceed $1,500. Now there is pressure to increase these combined income limits which I find reasonable because with inflation money is not worth much these days. But I am not the Minister for National Development any more. My Parliamentary Secretary will reply to the points raised by other Members. I will reply to Mr Anson! He grumbles about this kampong near Jalan Bukit Merah. He says it is dirty and full of mosquitoes. It is not only a kampong. It is a squattered area. Hence the difficulties that we meet. As such, the environmental conditions are not as good as, say, in Marine Parade, Whampoa, Queenstown or Telok Blangah. I am not running down kampongs. There are kampongs which are clean. But this one is heavily squattered. Though we go in and clean the dirt, carry the rubbish, sweep the place, it is still dirty. The only hope is redevelopment and resettlement. But unfortunately this little kampong is affected by a slip road of the Pan Island Expressway. So until that Expressway is built, nothing else would be allowed to be built in this kampong. As for supermarkets, my Ministry has been active in the promotion of hygienic handling and preparation of food, not only at supermarkets but also at hawker centres. Recently, some supermarkets have received adverse publicity. But let me assure the Member that we are not anti-supermarkets or pro-smaller establishments. Both types of eating houses or places where food is sold are recei0ing the attention of the Ministry.”
“Sir, I will reply to the Gentleman from Anson and leave my strong-arm hatchetman to deal with the radicals from Henderson, Kim Seng, Whampoa and Telok Blangah. I cannot run away from one point which is the criteria for the issue of a hawker's licence. Members say $400 family income is too little. We have not been very inelastic. After we heard Members last year it was raised from $250 to $400. So after we hear Members this year perhaps it will be raised again. But we will give it every consideration.”
“Sir, I am afraid the answer to the Member for Thomson must be "No." The construction of the Rural Sewerage System R2 is necessary in water catchments to prevent pollution of water flowing into our reservoirs. It is, therefore, not advisable to give exemption to any persons residing in water catchment areas from providing the R2 system or to waive prosecution under the Water Pollution control and Drainage Act, 1975. I would like to inform Members that in cases of financial hardship the Sewerage Department will construct the R2 system, in the first instance, and allow the persons concerned to pay the cost in monthly instalments over a period of not more than five years. The R2 sewerage system is a simple system. It consists of two buried concrete pipes which are inter-connected, a small brick chamber and pipes laid shallow underground to form a soak-away system. The estimated construction cost is about $1,500. NON-REPLIES TO LETTERS FROM PUBLIC (Action against civil servants) 2. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Finance what action will be taken against those top civil servants who usually ignore replying to letters from members of the public.”
“Sir, as at the end of last month, the total number of applications received from non-citizens amounted to 1,758. Of these, 423 applications were either withdrawn or settled upon clarification. 855 applicants obtained approval, of whom 572 were permanent residents and 283 were other non-citizens. 274 applications were not approved and there remain a number of 206 cases which are still being processed. DRUG PUSHERS AND ADDICTS IN THE JALAN KOLAM AYER QUARTERS AREA (Particulars) 5. Mr Ivan Baptist asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education (a) what surveillance work is being done in the Jalan Kolam Ayer Quarters area which is troubled by drug pushers and addicts especially late at nights; and (b) how many drug pushers and addicts have been arrested in this area during the last 14 months.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as from 11th September, 1973, only citizens of Singapore have been allowed to purchase residential properties without any restriction. All others, including permanent residents, have been required to obtain the written approval of Government to purchase residential property or any vacant land other than that zoned "Industrial-commercial". Approval depends on the economic contribution such persons or applicants make to Singapore. With effect from 10th January, 1975, this policy was relaxed and non-citizens were allowed to purchase flats or apartments in buildings of not less than six Storeys, including the ground floor. As from 3rd September, 1976, there was a further relaxation in that non-citizens were allowed free purchase of units in approved condominiums as well. Furthermore, where previously approvals were not considered in respect of residential houses on land exceeding 4,000 sq. ft., such applications in respect of land areas of not more than 15,000 sq. ft. are now favourably considered.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we are flexible. We have allowed one. We will allow the other with strict and proper control. SCHOOL GROUNDS AND SPORTS FACILITIES (Use of, by community service groups) 15. Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education how many schools have agreed to allow their grounds and sports facilities to be used after school hours by sports clubs, community centre management committees or other civic organisations, and whether his Ministry will encourage more schools to allow those organisations to make use of such facilities for the promotion of sports.”
“They are available but under very strict control. In fact, the Nuclear Energy Agency of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development in its draft report has recommended the unrestricted use of home smoke detectors provided they observe strict safety requirements. When the report is published, the Ministry will review the situation whether to exempt users from licensing requirements. But until then, we must have a strict supervision, licensing and, as the Member wants, proper maintenance.”
“We have not allowed the ionization detectors to be marketed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have indicated in my answer that battery operated smoke detectors have appeared in Singapore. Such detectors have not been allowed to be sold freely and will not be allowed to be sold freely in the near future.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thought I have dealt with that question when I said that drivers who were negligent or reckless could be charged in court and that disciplinary proceedings would be taken. I do not propose to take other measures in my Ministry. I cannot speak for the other departments concerned. The Member may be interested to know that the majority of the accidents comes from the Armed Forces and the number of Government vehicles has been increasing over the years. So has the number of accidents. It does not mean that the standard of driving has gone down or that the drivers have become more negligent. It may also be of interest to the Member to know that second on the list of the drivers involved are those from the Ministry of the Environment. I will send him a copy of the list in a few minutes' time.”
“As for the other sum, perhaps I can deal with it briefly. The extradition proceedings started before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in London in January 1977. There was an appeal against the Magistrate's findings to the Divisional Court and a further appeal to the House of Lords against the Divisional Court's judgment. In these proceedings we engaged a Queen's Counsel, two junior Counsel as well as a London solicitor. Prior to the request for extradition, senior officers of the Attorney-General's Chambers had consultations with a Mr Ronald Waterhouse, Q.C., as to the adequacy of the evidence, the framing of the charges and other related matters. A total sum of $335,218.90 has so far been paid out as costs in respect of this case. A further supplementary provision will be needed to meet further costs. The appeal to the House of Lords which began on 25th January, 1978 lasted for more than 3 1/2 weeks. It was an epic legal battle and has gone on longer than any other appeal in that House within living memory. The House of Lords has reserved judgment. Should there be a trial in Singapore if Mr Tarling is extradited, and should there be an appeal by Mr Tarling from Singapore to the Privy Council, further supplementary provisions will be required to meet further claims or costs to meet all these legal fees. I hope I have satisfied the Member.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, during the period from 1st April, 1977 to 20th February, 1978 there were altogether 1,514 accidents involving the same number of Government vehicles. Thirty-two departments were involved. A list of these departments showing the exact number of accidents and the exact number of vehicles for each department is with me and I will be pleased to hand it to the Member concerned. I do not think it is appropriate that I read it out here. A sum of $200,000 was originally voted for this item for expenditure on accidents involving Government vehicles. This sum is to meet the claims received against Government when Government vehicles are involved in accidents. The sum does not cover repairs to Government vehicles. The sum was found inadequate. Hence, the supplementary estimates for the additional sum of $30,210. The exact figures of expenditure involving these vehicles for the lest three years are as follows: In 1975, there were 1,545 accidents and the amount spent was $196,339.62. In 1976 the number of accidents reduced to 1,373. But the amount spent on claims increased to $281,774.15. Last year the number of accidents increased to 1,819 and the amount spent was $293,296.59. The drivers of Government vehicles are not only liable to criminal proceedings which may be initiated if they drive negligently or recklessly but they are also subject to disciplinary proceedings which are taken by the Government departments concerned in appropriate cases. As for lorries of the Ministry of the Environment racing together, I did not know that there were hell-drivers in my Ministry. But it is difficult for me to investigate a general complaint like this. I will be pleased to start investigations if dates, places and numbers are given to me.”
“from the discharge of pig waste in the pig farms north of Braddell Road adjacent to the banks of Sungei Kallang, the indiscriminate dumping of refuse and discharge of sullage water into the drains from premises, in particular, from the squatter colonies, mainly at Jalan Teck Kee, Potong Pasir and Kampong San Teng. The present efforts to keep Sungei Kallang clean by desilting and removing of refuse are only palliative measures. Until the sources of pollution on land have been eliminated, Sungei Kallang will continue to be polluted.”
“The Ministry of the Environment provides daily refuse removal, nightsoil removal and cleansing services to the four areas in question. Weekly vector control surveillance is also carried out. The public health auxiliaries visit the areas daily. In conjunction with the cleaning up of the Kallang Basin, a long term programme has been drawn up to improve the environmental conditions of the area. This will involve redevelopment of the area together with the resiting of hawkers and farmers, extension of the sewerage facilities, resettlement of the squatters and the prohibition of pig farming and duck rearing. These developments will take time. The immediate programme is to phase out latrines hanging over rivers and to extend the daily nightsoil removal services to the affected areas. The areas referred to form part of the lower catchment of the Kallang River. Most of these areas are low and have many squatters and farms. Any drainage improvement can only be carried out in conjunction with redevelopment when the land can be filled up adequately and a proper drainage system provided. The Drainage Department has already commenced improvement work and concrete lining of the main Kallang River in conjunction with the development of Ang Mo Kio New Town. At present, six contracts are in progress covering the improvement of the river from its upper reaches at Thomson Road to Jalan Toa Payoh. This will cater for the increased run-off from the new town which otherwise would overflow the river banks and aggravate flooding of the lower catchment particularly the areas in question. Further improvement downstream of Jalan Toa Payoh will be carried out in due course under the second phase of the project. Pollution in Sungei Kallang comes from its catchment, e.g.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Sir, sections 4 and 7 of the Trustees Act (chapter 40) specify the investments in which trustees are permitted to invest. Section 4 covers investments consisting mainly of "gilt-edged" and other fixed interest securities, while section 7 covers certain types of equities quoted on the Stock Exchange of Singapore. The definition of "securities" as it now appears in the Act does not specifically cover debentures. There is a doubt as to whether certain financial instruments in the nature of debentures, which are issued by public companies, whose shares are deemed to be trustee securities by virtue of section 7 of the Act, fall within the existing definition of "securities". Such instruments, whether secured or unsecured, are sometimes known as bonds, loan stock, notes or by some other designations. The Bill now before this House seeks to remove any doubt that the term "securities" as defined in the Act, includes debentures. A definition of "debentures" has also been provided in the Bill to include debenture stock, loan stock, bonds, notes and other documents which create or acknowledge a debt, whether constituting a charge on assets or not. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr E.W. Barker]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. HIJACKING AND PROTECTION OF AIRCRAFT BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.41 p.m.”