Hwang Soo Jin
Singapore
“I remember that soon after the Blue Paper was published, a career woman came to see me at one of my Meet-the-people sessions. Speaking for some friends, she complained to me that after hearing the news concerning the Blue Paper, they could not sleep for several nights as they were apprehensive that they would not be able to maintain their…”
“To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether he will direct the Housing and Development Board to look into the need to construct more public lavatories in that part of Ang Mo Kio New Town which falls within Jalan Kayu Constituency, especially in areas where senior citizens regularly meet: (b) what is the number of complaints o…”
“Sir, permit me to just make a short observation. Listening to hon. Members, it gives me the impression that maybe we should forget the whole MRT study and save all the millions of dollars and instead spend it on carrying out a study on the operational efficiency of SBS, Like the Member for Serangoon Gardens, I thought that the answer give…”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think there is still too much of a delaying tactic here as far as I can see. Probably next year the same words will be said again. I just like to remind the Hon. Minister for the second time that the police post at Ang Mo Kio is the result of the closure of the police post in Yio Chu Kang in my constituency.”
“Sir, a rather more pertinent question to ask is whether the handcuffing procedure should not be looked into or reviewed so as to make sure that it is not applied indiscriminately and causing unnecessary embarrassment. I think this is the point of the Member for Radin Mas.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, whether you call it an impasse or foot-dragging or whatever, we have been hearing the same words for more than a year. Last year, the Minister said exactly the same thing. Last year he said that we gladdened his heart, and again this year he says we gladden his heart and we are on his side.”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill before the House is generally considered to be an enlightened piece of legislation on a very complicated subject. The Minister is to be congratulated for this. However, for the Bill to take effect on implementation, it seems to me that it will be necessary for the Ministry to provide a staff with sufficient knowledge of market operations to assist the Minister and the Registrar of Companies in fulfilling their functions. I should appreciate it if the Minister would inform the House as to what administrative arrangements are being made or will be made in this direction. The market trends in recent months have very clearly shown that there is perhaps too much money chasing too few stocks. In view of this, I am wondering what steps are being taken to encourage more companies to go public, and whether the Minister would consider directing some of the Government-backed or Government-owned companies to go public. In this connection I have in mind companies such as Singapore Airlines, Sembawang Shipyard, and Jurong Shipyard. All these are capital intensive undertakings, with tremendous group potential. At the present juncture of their development, I should have thought that an injection of fresh capital from the public will help in their expansion programme.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I remember that during the last Parliament sitting the plight of some road accident victims who were not able to recover compensation, because of the absence of insurance or defective insurance, was brought to the attention of the House by the Member for Tiong Bahru. I must say, therefore, that the proposed amendment Bill is welcomed. But I am just wondering whether the Minister considers it time now to go a step further by setting up a central fund contributed by all motor insurers, so that any claims not paid because of technical reasons can be covered by that fund. It will not cost the Government anything, because the insurers will have to cough out the money.”
“Sir, I would like to ask the Minister of State if he would inform this House as to the criterion adopted by the Ministry in judging the efficiency of the personnel attached to the ROV. I hope it is not based just on the number of summonses issued!”
“At the top of the list is, of course, the pig problem which has been the subject of heated debate at the last Parliament. Suffice it to say, I do sincerely hope that the Ministry concerned will study the problem in depth with a view to finding permanent and suitable solutions at an earlier date, leading to stability of price and at a level tolerable to farmers who have suffered severe financial losses. I would also like to take the opportunity of requesting the Minister for Law to direct the Land Office to carry out a revision of the conditions attached to all temporary occupation licences granted to people occupying State land in the rural areas, so that it would be easier and possible for existing structures to be either extended or new structures erected in order to meet rising expectations. At present most, if not all, of such applications are turned down. Consequently many families have to put up with very crammed conditions, since alternative accommodation is becoming increasingly difficult to come by, bearing in mind the long waiting list at the Housing Board. The very involved procedures at present which are necessary in order to obtain approval for repairs or renovations, no matter how minor the nature of repairs may be, also leave much to be desired, and I would urge that something be done to simplify matters and to avoid unnecessary delays. All in all, I feel that the time has come for a rather more comprehensive set of policies aiming at the betterment of life in general in the rural areas so that, to quote the President, the bloom as reflected from the glow of success "will spread from the city to the new towns, and through to the villages and kampongs in the rural areas." 3.40 p.m.”
“One area that immediately comes to mind is the Stock Exchange where we find today people from all walks of life playing "Bulls and Bears", and many have had their lingers burned. Here, are we satisfied that everything possible has been done to curb excessive speculation and manipulation which, more often than not, benefits a resourceful few at the expense of a vast number of small investors? There has been a suggestion that an independent watchdog committee be set up to keep an eye on the activities of the Exchange, but to-date this has remained a point of academic interest leaving the Exchange to continue to operate as a self-regulating body. As we become more and more of a "Global City", in the words of one of the Ministers, we shall benefit from the importation of technological skills and expertise but at the same time our citizens shall become more exposed and vulnerable to exploitation by international crooks who, under the guise of commerce, will come along with their highly refined and subtle confidence-tricks. We cannot always afford to learn from bitter experience. In the course of the next few years I should like to see a rather more effective and knowledgeable commercial crime unit within our own police force working hand-in-hand with the Trade Division of the Ministry of Finance and constantly keeping a watchful eye on imported crimes directed at taking away the precious savings of our people. In this connection, it is therefore reassuring to note from the addendum to the President's speech, the proposed setting up of a Criminal Intelligence Unit. Sir, I would be failing in my duty if I did not bring the attention of the House to some of the perennial problems faced by the rural folk.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the motion to thank the President for his speech. In his speech to the House, the President has charted out the path of progress for the nation in the next few years. We owe our present well-being to hard work in the past; hard work it shall have to be if we are to continue to prosper. As we become more affluent, we shall have more to spend and to save. Whilst spending is a relatively simple matter, although some people seem to have difficulties spending within their means, saving can pose quite considerable problems. It is perhaps unnecessary for me to enumerate the many painful experiences which some of our citizens have had in recent years. By putting their savings in the wrong places or in wrong hands, they have had their hard-earned savings taken away from them overnight. What has happened is history. My present concern is the future security of the savings of our citizens, particularly the large majority of the working class people. Ideally, I would like to see most of the savings going to the Post Office Savings Bank or perhaps the other well established financial institutions, but as there are many other competing alternatives offering what appear to be attractive propositions in terms of high rates of returns for those who are eager to see their money grow, security becomes a matter of some concern. As such, I feel that it is essential at this juncture for the Government to take a good look at some of the existing outlets for our national savings, with a view to ensuring as far as it is possible by legislative means that these outlets are safe for our citizens to leave their money with.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on the question of revised tax on private motor vehicles, I am just wondering whether it would not be more logical, instead of increasing the tax on all categories of vehicles except those under 1,000 c.c., to impose the increase on those people who own more than one car. Surely the intention is to discourage people having too many cars. For cars up to 2,000 c.c., I think it is quite reasonable for the rates to remain the same. A lot of people depend on private cars as their only means of transport. For example, those who stay in Yio Chu Kang, and who have to go all the way to Jurong, at present find it almost impossible to go there by public transport. ADJOURNMENT MOTION (Business Motion)”
“Sir, my point is this: is it the standing practice to send out people every now and then to carry out surprise checks even on those companies which have been fully licensed?”
“Sir, will the Minister inform the House whether surprise checks and inspections of the books of chit fund companies are being carried out by the Commissioner of Chit Funds office?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have only one small point to raise which I hope will be taken into consideration by the Select Committee. This concerns the question of training given to inexperienced workers. In a recent statement to the House, the Minister for Labour did say that one of the major causes of accidents is the lack of proper training given to workers. But I am rather surprised to see that clause 28 of the Bill, which is the particular provision dealing with training of inexperienced workers, is not made more explicit so as to enable easier enforcement. It merely says that sufficient training should be given. To what degree is the training "sufficient"? I think it is going to give rise to lots of arguments. I should have thought that it would be easier to impose a minimum training period or, if that is not possible, to make a provision whereby the Minister would be able to prescribe from time to time rules and regulations in this regard. A useful guideline could be that more hazardous processes should be subjected to a certain minimum period of training. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Resolved, "That the Factories Bill be committed to a Select Committee consisting of Mr Speaker as Chairman and the following Members: Inche Abdul Aziz Karim, Member for Kallang, Mr Chua Sian Chin, Minister for Health, Mr Low Guan Onn, Member for River Valley, Mr Low Yong Nguan, Member for Crawford, Mr Ong Pang Boon, Minister for Labour, Mr Seah Mui Kok, Member for Bukit Ho. Swee, and Mr Sia Kah Hui, Minister of State for Labour." - [Mr Ong Pang Boon]. TREASURY DEPOSIT RECEIPTS 2.51 p.m.”
“C, will make a request to the Finance Ministry for more funds. Mr Teong Eng Siong(In Mandarin): Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Parliamentary Secretary for doing his part in looking after the people in the rural areas. As he is the chairman of the Urban and Rural Services Committee, I am sure he appreciates the various requests made by the people in the rural areas. I hope this year, as in past years, he will do his utmost for the benefit of the people. I am sure the people will thank him for this. Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff(In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, my question regarding the making up of the road in Kampong Pachitan up to kampong standard has not been replied to. I do not deny that the construction of two roads under the Pan-Island Expressway scheme and the extension of Sims Avenue are good efforts. But what I am concerned with is the small earth-roads in Alsagoff Estate. It will not be appropriate if the Parliamentary Secretary should say that it is not proper for the Housing and Development Board to do these roads. If they were to wait for the Housing and Development Board to develop the area, it will not take place until the next few years, because the development is still in the planning stage. Therefore, are the residents in the affected areas forced to continue to face the problems which they have been experiencing all this while, such as mosquito-breeding, and flooding until this area is developed?”
“Sir, from a comparison of these figures, we have, in fact, spent more money in the rural constituencies. For 1972-73, the provision for roads and other services has been increased by one-third over the previous year's provision. Whether or not more funds will be provided in the coming years will depend on the number of requests for services and the amounts involved. However, the Members from the rural constituencies can be assured that if there is a balance of funds uncommitted in the other constituencies, it will ultimately be utilised for the rural constituencies. 3.15 p.m. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the last 11 years about $10 million out of a total expenditure of $37 million was spent on improvement of roads in the rural constituencies. Most of these roads have considerably improved. The Government has the immediate task of extending piped-water supplies to households in the rural areas. In the next few years we will step up the laying of water-mains in areas where the people are still dependent on well-water. In areas where the people are dependent on public standpipes, these standpipes will be removed when water-mains are laid. The areas which need water-mains are Bukit Panjang, Bukit Timah, Changi, Chua Chu Kang, Jalan Kayu, Jurong, Kampong Chai Chee, Nee Soon, Punggol, Tampines, and, of course, Sembawang. It is hoped that with the stepping up of this scheme, every household in the outlying areas would, in the next three or four years, be able to enjoy piped-water facilities. In reply to the Member for Changi, there is no proposal for the construction of new jetties. The provision of $50,000 for this year should be sufficient for the maintenance of existing jetties. However, if there is a need to construct new jetties, the U.R.S.”
“Another scheme for Track 6, Punggol Road, and many more water-main laying schemes for Punggol and for areas in other constituencies have been approved recently and work will be carried out soon. Regarding the rural electrification schemes, Sir, this provision of $50,000 is for the supply of electricity by generators to the off-shore islands, which cannot be reached by the Public Utilities Board's supply. Electrification schemes for the mainland are met from P.U.B, funds. For this year, the provision is $2.6 million. It was unfortunate that the Electricity Department of the P.U.B., due to factors beyond their control, could not implement approved electrification schemes within the time specified in the programme. For example, last year, owing to the floods in Calcutta, the factories under contract were unable to supply overhead materials. The floods in Malaysia also resulted in a shortage of wooden poles. Nevertheless, even with these setbacks, the P.U.B, carried out and completed 35 rural electrification schemes between April, 1971, and 22nd March, 1972, benefiting about 2,000 houses at a cost of $660,000 while 23 other schemes as at 22nd March, 1972, benefiting about 3,000 more houses and costing $1 million, are still in progress. Mr Speaker, Sir, both the Members for Jurong and Sembawang have asked for more money to be provided for the repair of agricultural and kampong roads. In fact, Jurong constituency, for instance, was allocated $77,000 for 1971-72, but $88,000 was committed. So for Jurong constituency, the provision was over-committed by $11,000. The provision for Sembawang constituency was $15,000, but $66,000 was committed. Similarly, Sembawang constituency was over-committed by $51,000.”
“As regards Alsagoff Estate, in fact, we have carried out quite a lot of improvements in the Kampong Kembangan, Kampong Ubi and Geylang Serai areas. For instance, we have extended Sims Avenue to Jalan Eunos, and constructed the Pan-Island Expressway from Paya Lebar Road to Jalan Eunos. We have also widened and improved Jalan Ubi and Jalan Eunos. With the two new major roads and the other two improved roads just mentioned, the improvement in the street lighting, drainage and foot-paths have contributed considerably to the convenience of the people living in the area. As Alsagoff Estate will eventually become a housing and industrial estate, it is unwise at this stage to make up all the side tracks in the area as this will in course of time be broken up, and it will be a waste of public funds. However, if it is necessary to carry out minor repairs, we will always meet the requests when they are received from time to time. The Public Works Department has no immediate plans to make up the portion of Jalan Ubi from Jalan Lada to Airport Road, as this would be affected by Housing Board development of this area which is still in the planning stage. In reply to the Member for Punggol, the Public Utilities Board has taken action to improve the servicing of street lamps in public and kampong roads, and the quality of lamps used will also be improved. Sir, in Punggol, three water-main laying schemes for the Trafalgar Estate in Punggol have been approved recently, and work will commence within the next three months. They are as follows: (1) Lorong Renjong from Lorong Buang Kok to Trafalgar Estate. The cost is $21,000. (2) Tracks in Trafalgar Estate. The cost is $55,000. (3) Tracks adjoining Trafalgar Estate. The cost is $12,500. The total cost will be $88,500.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the various Parliament representatives of the rural constituencies in regard to the provision of rural services. I have two questions to raise with the Minister. The first question relates to drains in rural constituencies. Up to this moment, I think there is no comprehensive plan to construct a good drainage system. In our Budget for 1972-73, there is no provision for the construction of drains. I would like to know whether Government is going to provide a special scheme for the construction of drains in the rural areas. The second question relates to the supply of electricity. In the last few years, the authorities concerned have done very well in this respect. Not only have they spent their own time visiting the rural areas, but they have also contacted the various Members of Parliament in order to do a better job, and I would like to thank the authorities concerned on this matter. But some Members just now mentioned that there are schemes for rural electrification which have not yet been carried out. I think this is not a question of inefficiency. It is more a question of getting enough contractors to carry out the projects so that the electrification of the rural areas could be carried out more efficiently. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (National Development Division) (Mr Ho Cheng Choon): Mr Speaker, Sir, in reply to the Member for Kampong Kembangan regarding Kampong Eunos, there is no plan at the moment to make up the stretch of road from Kampong Eunos to Jalan Yasin, as the area is heavily squattered. Improvement to the existing track may be considered if a request is made to the Urban and Rural Services Committee by the Citizens' Consultative Committee.”
“Sir, I rise to support the motion moved by the Member for Jurong. The request he has made is also the request and the fervent hope of the people in Jalan Kayu. To my mind, the 7-day working system as adopted by the Central Abattoir until now was a very practical one, even in respect of administration. The question of a rest day can be easily solved in other ways. This problem also relates to the question of rural abattoirs. I remember two years ago in this House I made a request for the setting up of rural abattoirs in the rural areas. Two years have elapsed, and I still cannot find its inclusion in the Development Estimates.”
“Sir, I am pleased to see that clause 196 provides for the mode of complaint by servicemen. It seems to me that the average national serviceman is not aware that this is one area where he can sound out his grievances. More often than not he feels that he has been wronged but does not know how to go about it to complain to his superior officers. This clause sets down the procedure how to go about it. I hope that, in the implementation of this Bill, the particular provision under clause 196 is brought to the attention of all national service recruits, and that preferably each recruit is given some guidance and explanation in the particular language in which he is conversant with.”
“I thank the Minister for his reply, and beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $3,499,650 for Head 1003 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Pursuant to a resolution of the House, Mr Speaker thereupon left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1003 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2016. Sir, I share the sentiments expressed by the Member for Toa Payoh when he mentioned that our Fire Brigade should be well-equipped in view of industrial developments, and so on. I am rather surprised to see that this item on training courses has remained static at 5100 a year. In view of the increasing complexities of fire hazards because of industrialisation and urban renewal, I feel that members of the Fire Brigade should be given more training not only locally but sent abroad to countries which have more experience in fire-fighting. Inche Othman Bin Wok: Sir, the Member can be rest assured that applications for training awards are submitted yearly to the Public Service Commission to enable Senior Fire Officers in the Singapore Fire Brigade to attend courses to study the up-to-date techniques in fire-fighting and fire prevention. For this year, that is, 1972, we have requested the Public Service Commission for a training award to enable a Divisional Officer to attend a fire prevention course at the Fire Service College. United Kingdom, followed by attachment to the Fire Prevention Section of the larger brigades. Sir, a Divisional Officer was sent to Japan in September last year to attend a group training course in the fire service administration. Another officer will be leaving for the United Kingdom in July this year to attend courses for six months at the Fire Service College.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of my very eloquent colleagues, but speaking on this subject* I would like to be very brief. I feel that it is not only the rates of public assistance allowances that need looking into but also the rules. I have a case recently of a woman who is in receipt of public assistance allowance of $21 per month and as soon as she found herself an odd-job paying only $20, the Ministry pounced on her straightaway and cut off the allowance by $10. I think this is extremely unfair. How can we expect a person to live on $31? Surely it is our policy to encourage them, no matter how old they are, to try to stand on their own two feet, And this is a case of a woman of 55 or 56 years of age. She really wants to be on her own two feet, and what we are doing is to discourage her from taking odd jobs. * The amendment, standing in the name of Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon, reads as follows: (3) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1002 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1151.”
“In view of the Minister's explanation, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, before I withdraw my amendment, I would like to suggest to the Minister that perhaps it is about time we took the raps off some of the departments in a particular Ministry. Some of the departments are offering very good services, but somehow, I think, the public does not seem to be aware of it. We have the "Fire Brigade Week", "Police Week" and all sorts of "Weeks". Why not co-ordinate some of these lesser known departments and hold a particular Exhibition Week for the Ministry of Social Affairs, and you can have all the departments in the Ministry come under the same Exhibition. Will the Minister please consider that?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1171*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr J. F. Conceicao.) Sir, at a time when the rate of industrial and road accidents is on the sharp increase, I would like to take the opportunity of urging the Minister to consider directing the Legal Aid Bureau to set up a special section to handle the road and industrial accident cases. The general public somehow does not seem to be aware of the fact that the Legal Aid Bureau, apart from the normal legal aid, does also undertake cases of road and industrial accidents. There is also an unfortunate impression that if they go to the Legal Aid Bureau, the result normally is rather slow. I do not know how far this is true, but that seems to be the general impression. Perhaps it is because of the inadequacy if the Bureau that a great number of unfortunate victims of road and industrial accidents have. I believe, become easy prey to unscrupulous lawyers who have come to he known as "ambulance chasers". Once you are in the hands of such operators then, by the time you get the compensation, that is, if you do get any compensation, the amount of what you are entitled to will be reduced by about 40 to 50 per cent or even 60 per cent. This matter does not come under the Ministry of Social Affairs. Until such time as we have more adequate measures to control the activities of such unscrupulous operators, I think one way we can go about it is to extend the service of the Legal Aid Bureau to help these unfortunate victims of road and industrial accidents.”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 7.45 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0801 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2458. Sir, I am taking this opportunity to enquire from the Minister as to what is being done in the area of career guidance in the technical and non technical streams. From my own personal enquiries from school leavers and some of the youngsters in the final year of secondary education, I often get the idea that they seem to be rather vague as to what they want to do or what they can do. Perhaps more can be done in the area of career guidance not only by the Ministry of Education but also at the school level. Perhaps there should be teachers delegated to the special charge of guiding the pupils as to the requirements of commerce and industry.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his reply, and beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. In the absence of Mr Ng Kah Ting, the following amendments, standing in his name, were not proceeded with - (9) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3101. (10) That the total sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $100. The sum of $1,904,800 for Head 0601 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 0602 - The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting - That the sum to be allocated for Head 0602 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1007.”
“Sir, I am just wondering why such a small number of persons make use of the facilities there. Could it be that there is not enough publicity? A lot of people are not aware that there is such a scheme in existence. Has the Ministry made an effort to try and find out the reasons? Reading through the report, I cannot help feeling that even the Ministry itself is doubtful as to why only eight out of 30 finished the training course. Is there any follow-up survey to find out why only eight stayed on to complete their training?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2016. Sir, this item relates to rehabilitation and retraining of disabled persons. I believe that at present there is a scheme administered by the Ministry of Labour for the rehabilitation of disabled persons. The scheme was first introduced in 1953 and apparently it is the same scheme which we still have today, though so much has changed over the years. Judging by the latest report from the Ministry of Labour, very few disabled persons seem to have taken advantage of the facilities available. This does seem to suggest that the facilities or services available might not be really suitable for present day needs, or that they are not really good enough. I would like to take the opportunity of urging the Minister to give particular attention to this area, which very much relates to the rate of industrial accidents. Reading the Ministry's report for the year 1970, if I remember correctly, only about 31 persons took advantage of the training. If you compare this number of 31 disabled persons with the number of disabled persons in another part of the report, it does seem that a very small percentage of persons sustaining permanent disablement has taken advantage of the training programme.”
“Sir, in view of the not unsatisfactory answer, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 6.45 p.m. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr N. Govindasamy - (4) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1181.”
“I have heard that some of the industrial safety equipment available in the market do not really come up to the required standard, for example, safety belts and safety helmets. Some of them are just put on for ornamental reasons to satisfy the requirements of the Inspectors. When you put these belts or helmets to the real test, you will find that they are really not suitable or ineffective. Here again, I urge the Minister to direct his Ministry to look into the suitability of the safety equipment. There must be quality control, so to speak, and I am sure the Member for Katong will be most interested.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1104. Sir, this is an item in respect of Inspectors of Factories, On the subject of industrial safety, the Minister has just assured the House that there will be no letting up in efforts to minimise the rate of industrial accidents and to this end, additional posts of Inspectors of Factories will be created. But I am rather surprised to see that under this subhead the number of posts will be increased slightly, that is, from six to eight. I doubt whether these two additional Inspectors are going to do much good in view of the fact that, as the Minister has just mentioned, there will be a series of new rules and regulations coming out in the ensuing year. Sir, apart from the number of Inspectors to enforce the rules and regulations, there is, to my mind, the more important problem of whether these Inspectors are adequately trained. What sort of training do we give them? There is no provision to send them abroad for training. As I see it, if our Inspectors of Factories are to be effective, they should assume not only the functions of law enforcers but they should also be able to go further and advise the factories on the types of safety measures to be taken. The big factories will have their own officials to look into the problem of safety measures. But in the case of the small factories, however, the Ministry should provide every assistance in this respect whenever such advice is required. In view of the increasing complexity in our manufacturing processes, I strongly urge the Minister to look into this question of training for our Inspectors. There is another aspect of industrial safety.”
“I thank the Minister for his reply. I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 4.15 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir,. I have raised this matter with a view to ascertaining from the particular Ministry concerned whether from their own experience they feel that computerisation in the long run is going to result in greater efficiency, and perhaps will enable us to cut down on the number of staff in the civil service, in view of the acute shortage of manpower in Singapore today. Therefore, I would like the Minister to inform the House whether, in his opinion and from his own personal experience in the Ministry of Defence, the computerisation introduced so far has resulted in greater efficiency and with a smaller number of employees doing the same job. Dr Goh Keng Swee: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would think that that is so, if it is a question of collecting data. The computer saves a lot of manpower. But, of course, the computer is no substitute for soldiers. We still need that number of soldiers. The computer, however, can tell us whether we are training the right soldiers and putting them in the right unit. To that extent, it helps in increasing the efficiency.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0401 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1011. Sir, this is a new vote providing for a Principal Systems Analyst. Under the same Head, I also notice that provision is being made for a number of other Systems Analysts and Programmers. This would suggest that the Ministry is going into computerisation in a fairly big way. I would like to take this opportunity of seeking information on the computerisation programme embarked upon by the Ministry. In particular, I should appreciate it if the Minister could inform the House of the total costs involved in the purchase of computers, and the extent to which computerisation will apply to the overall administration in MINDEF, and the possible effects this will have on the future staffing position in the Ministry of Defence.”
“Sir, on the question of resettlement, here again I appreciate that this only takes place when a particular piece of land is urgently required for development. What I am wondering is whether, at this juncture, it is possible for us to designate certain areas in the Republic as agricultural areas on a fairly permanent basis. And as and when farmers are affected by development, they are resettled in such permanent areas without fear of being resettled once again by subsequent development projects. This will go a long way towards giving greater peace of mind to farmers and will also help in more comprehensive planning of infrastructure development in the designated areas concerned, As we become more urbanised and industrialised, there is bound to be a minority of people who will find the pace of life too much for them and will prefer something resembling a pastoral way of life. I do sincerely hope that there will still be a place for such people in our society to live a way of life they prefer and, at the same time, to contribute economically. Finally, Sir, in supporting the motion, I would like to thank the Minister for increasing the vote in respect of urban and rural services under the Development Estimates to $3.25 million for the ensuing period. This increase will mean that more roads and other facilities can be provided to people living in the rural areas. 6.45 p.m.”
“3 per cent for construction, the total sum of $188.3 million is nevertheless a very substantial amount when we consider that the contribution of the "glamour-service" industries of banking and insurance amounted to only $112.6 million. Whilst I appreciate that with the tremendous pace of industrial expansion and extensive urban renewal the pressure upon our limited land resources is increasing day by day, it is unrealistic and impractical to talk in terms of a comprehensive policy of agricultural development in the context of Singapore. It is, however, in my opinion not impractical to consider bringing about some degree of stability to this particular sector of our economy. Over the past few years most of our farming families have lived in a state of uncertainty, uncertainty over price fluctuations of farm produce and uncertainty over the likelihood of resettlement. In so far as price fluctuations is concerned, as long as there is no price control, it is to be expected that the level of prices will be dictated by supply and demand patterns. But what concerns me is that whilst retail prices have remained fairly stable over the years according to available statistics, the ex-farm prices, i.e, the prices received by farmers from middlemen, vary quite considerably over any one period of 12 months and often bear no relationship to the retail prices paid by ultimate consumers. This is one area where some research should perhaps be conducted so as to determine whether certain measures can be taken with a view to providing facilities that will enable farmers to have rather more direct excess to consumers with resultant lesser dependence on the middlemen.”
“A number of us had urged in this House that an up-to-date index of cost of living should be introduced so as to provide a rather more accurate means to measure any ups and downs in our cost of living. It is, therefore, a matter of regret that no action has as yet been taken to-date. Sir, I would like to take the opportunity to urge the Minister to give priority to this particular matter so that in subsequent years we will be able to assess more accurately whether our workers have generally benefited substantially from the greater economic growth, or whether they are caught in a wage and price spiral. In this connection, the setting up of the National Wages Council with tripartite representation from labour, employers and the Government is to be welcomed. And it is pleasing to note that among other things, the determination of equitable shares will henceforth be the concern of the Council. It is to be hoped, however, that the recommendations of the Wages Council will have the whole-hearted support of enlightened employers on the one hand and responsible union leaders on the other. Sir, as a representative from a constituency which still has a very large number of people depending on agriculture for their livelihood, 1 share the disappointment of the Member for Jurong over the absence of any reference to the agricultural sector by the Minister in his speech. In the supporting statistics, it is shown that agriculture and fishing have contributed a sum of $188.3 million to our total Gross Domestic Product as against that of $171.2 million for the preceding year, an increase of 4.3 per cent. Whilst the increase is only marginal and insignificant, when compared to that of 25.1 per cent for manufacturing and quarrying and that of 22.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is customary on Budget day for the Minister for Finance to review the nation's economic performance. We have been assured that we have done well and the common indicator of economic progress, the G.N.P., has registered a 14 per cent increase which, by any standard, is an impressive one. However, Sir, to the average man in the street, this means very little. What lie is basically interested is whether he is enjoying a better standard of living today than a year ago and whether his take-home pay today can buy him the same, if not greater, quantity of goods and services. As a Government, I feel that in reviewing the national economic progress, we should not be obsessed by plus or minus in percentages alone. Sir, we should attempt to look behind the figures and see whether we are a step nearer our objective of bringing about a more just and equal society. Have we succeeded in further bridging the gap between the haves and the have-nots? Have we succeeded in improving our physical environment by providing a greener, cleaner and safer place to work and to play? Have we succeeded in providing better and equal opportunities for education and for employment? These are some of the pertinent questions the average man in the street will ask in deciding whether, as a Government, we have effectively carried out what we set out to do. Unless we are able, as we have done so far, to continue to give satisfactory answers not only in words but in deeds to each of these questions, we shall lose the confidence and the trust of the people and whatever impressive statistics are shown will be meaningless. Sir, this time last year the question of cost of living featured predominantly in our Budget debates.”
“Whilst I agree that chit fund companies are rendering excellent services to traders, hawkers, farmers and householders in need of short-term credit facilities for legitimate business or domestic purposes, I cannot help but feel that they are also financiers of gamblers and spendthrifts and that the excessive credit facilities generated by their operations, if not carefully watched and controlled, are most likely in the long run to contribute to the rising cost of living and inflationary trends in our economy. 6.25 p.m.”
“I think it may be more equitable to all concerned if a graduating scale of required capital is to be prescribed under the Bill; starting from a minimum of, say, $100,000 to a maximum of, say, $1 million, depending upon the volume of business handled by the company concerned. To the larger companies, the maximum of $1 million, in my opinion, is by no means excessive if we are to: bear in mind that some of these companies have a volume of business running into millions of dollars. By and large, the Ministry is to be congratulated on the comprehensive nature of the Bill which, if properly enforced, should achieve the objective of safeguarding the interest of subscribers. However, I would like to take the opportunity of inquiring from the Minister whether the Commissioner of Chit Funds will be given a team of inspectors to carry out surprise checks on the books of registered companies so as to ensure that all aspects of the law are complied with at all times. Finally, Sir, it seems to me a pity that the Bill makes no provision for chit fund companies to invest compulsorily a percentage of the funds in hand in approved forms of assets such as Government securities and selected counters in the Stock Exchange. By so providing, it would, I feel, be possible to raise the level of respectability and the economic functions of chit fund companies, in terms of their ability to contribute to our national economy, to the same level as that of established institutions of national savings such as banks, insurance companies and finance companies.”
“Sir, as far back as January 1970, prompted by complaints from a number of my constituents, I urged the then Minister for Finance in this House to consider introducing suitable legislative measures to control the activities of chit fund companies. It has taken the Government almost two years to come to a definite decision. Whilst the careful manner in which the Ministry has studied the activities of such companies is most commendable, it is regrettable that the delay has caused a number of our citizens, some of whom are my constituents, to lose financially at the hands of unscrupulous operators. However, I suppose it is better late than never. Since the details of the Bill were published, they have attracted quite considerable public attention. In general, it is agreed that the provisions are quite adequate to protect the interests of the public and also sufficiently flexible to enable existing chit fund companies to operate. On the point of minimum capital requirements, there are, however, two schools of thought. The Bill provides that no chit fund company shall be granted or shall hold a licence unless its paid-up capital is not less than $200,000. We have in the past weeks seen in various newspapers large advertising spaces taken up by chit fund companies giving enthusiastic support to the proposed Bill. On the other hand, we have also read reports that some companies are not particularly happy over the fact that the required paid-up capital should be more than $50,000 which, I understand, was originally intended. These two opposing reactions lead me to suspect that the $200,000 as stipulated is perhaps a little heavy for the smaller companies but negligible to the big ones in relation to their respective volumes in turnover.”
“There is only one positive approach and that is for all interested parties, be they employers, workers or the Government, to work hand in hand toward a higher standard of accident prevention.”
“In this regard, it is, to my mind, essential that a central fund be established by all the insurers - the suggestion has already been made by the Member for Toa Payoh - to ensure that all claims falling within the scope of the Act, but which for technical reasons cannot be paid tinder an insurance policy, are met out of the fund. There are unscrupulous insurers, and there are also unscrupulous legal practitioners. Quite often in exercising their rights under the law to recover compensation, it becomes necessary for the injured workmen to enlist the help of lawyers. When this happens, the expenses involved are often costly. In cases where unscrupulous legal practitioners are involved - some of them have come to be known as "ambulance chasers" - the payment of fees is calculated on what is called the "No cure no pay basis". In successful cases, the fees payable can come to as much as 40 to 50 per cent of the quantum of compensation recovered, leaving only negligible amounts for the poor dependants. Sir, evidence against such malpractices is unfortunately hard to come by, but its existence is common knowledge. I think the Bar Council have been trying their best to prevent this malpractice, but so far they have not been particularly successful. To prevent the exploitation of our workers by such unscrupulous parties, I urge that our Legal Aid Bureau should consider the setting up of a separate unit specialising in the handling of all such cases. Finally, Sir, whilst the increase in the quantum of compensation is a necessary step, it is only a negative way of looking after the welfare of our workers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it gives me satisfaction to rise in support of the Bill as I am among those in the House who have pressed for an upward revision in the workmen's compensation benefit over the past few years. Apart from the increase in monetary benefits, the Bill incorporates a number of fresh features. One of these is that it is now a compulsory requirement for an employer to insure his liability under the Act. To my mind, this is an important safeguard, as has already been pointed out by the two Members who spoke before me. I have personally come across at least two cases recently in my constituency where, because of the absence of insurance, the dependants of the deceased workmen were left without any compensation, as the employers were apparently men of straw and were in no position to honour their statutory obligation. However, Sir, the provision in the Bill as regards insurance leaves much to be desired in so far as the safeguarding of the workmen's interest is concerned. This has already been pointed out by the Member for Toa Payoh, it is not clear whether it is the intention of clause 15 to require employers to insure their liability under the common law also. As you are aware, an injured workman has the right of option either to claim for statutory benefit or take action against his employer under the common law where negligence can be proved against the employer. The Bill also does not provide any safeguard to the injured parties when either because of defective insurance arrangements or other reasons liability is repudiated by an insurer.”
“Sir, I have been requested by the Member for Mount-batten to ask Question No. 3.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, two supplementary questions. First, what will be the capacity of the proposed hawkers' emporium? Second, can the Minister give an indication of the estimated cost of piling per unit if the high-rise flats were to be constructed?”
“Sir, I have been asked by the Member for Mountbatten to raise Question No. 2.”
“This will, in the long run, help to improve the sales of our products abroad. Speaking of export business, I take this opportunity of asking the Minister for Finance whether he is satisfied with the progress made by Intraco to date in assisting local industries in the promotion of the sales of their products abroad. Only too often Government agencies are inclined or tempted to allow the purely profit-making motive to over-ride all other wider and equally important, if not more so, long-term considerations which have originally prompted the setting up of such agencies. It is important, therefore, that the operations of all such agencies should be brought under constant review from time to time so as to ensure that they do not lose sight of the overall objectives. Whilst we expect these agencies to be financially viable, we also expect them in the long run to provide the necessary leadership to the private sector in bringing about a higher standard of expertise and sophistication. 3.53 p.m.”
“Sir, apart from adequate monetary compensation, it is also essential, to my mind, to ensure that when people are resettled, the facilities or amenities available to them in the new areas are at least of the same standard as, if not higher than, that enjoyed by them previously. In saying so. I have in mind instances in the past where people in areas already provided with water and electricity were resettled in areas without such modern amenities. I am sure that there must be other parallel cases arising from the implementation of our policies. In our next phase of development, I feel it is important that we do not lose sight of the need to minimise any human miseries or inconveniences brought about by the implementation of any of our policies. Mr Speaker, Sir, in his speech, the President has emphasised the need for our investors and entrepreneurs to develop new attitudes and to acquire the necessary sophistication and expertise for the management of industries and other enterprises. Sir,I have no doubt that our normally responsive business leaders will take heed of the advice. However, I feel that the Government can help by setting up an international business school where our business executives, especially the younger ones, may go for the necessary orientation and develop an international outlook. The courses conducted at such a school may aim particularly at providing participants with a good knowledge of international business operations and the political, social and economic conditions of the world at large. As we become increasingly an international trading and financial centre, it is essential that our businessmen are made more aware of methods, practices and conditions of international business.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to join my colleagues in thanking the President for his speech to the House. In his speech, the President has put in a nutshell the tremendous progress made by the country since independence. He has also pointed out the directions in which future developments are to take place. For a country with such limited natural resources as our own, the progress made can be considered to be impressive by any standard and, on this occasion, I think it is only appropriate that we should record our appreciation of the excellent manner in which the people of Singapore have responded to the political leadership in ensuring success in the implementation of our policies. But for the determination and sacrifices on the part of our people, all that we have achieved will not have been possible. The tremendous pace at which we have expected our people to adapt to changes can be seen from the large number of Bills submitted and passed by this House during the last session of Parliament. It may interest the House to know that some 140 Bills were passed during the last Parliament and have since become laws. Inevitably, the implementation of some, if not all, of these laws have brought about temporary inconveniences and even hardships to certain sections of the public. Whilst every endeavour has been made to lessen such inconveniences and hardships, there have been areas where we could perhaps have been more considerate or generous. A case in point is the rate of compensation paid to farmers affected by land acquisition. In this connection, I am pleased to note the Government's decision to give higher rates of compensation to tenants and ex gratia payments to squatters for resettlement.”