J.F. Conceicao
Singapore
“Sir, first of all, I would like to express my agreement with the expression of sympathy, almost sorrow, expressed in this House for those people living in the older estates, especially in the one-room flats. I merely rise to seek some information.”
“Sir, I am very gratified that the Senior Minister of State will convey my sentiments to the Board. I think the matter is of great importance that more and more people are brought to the realisation, as I have said, of their past. And it is not just a question of a small number of people working on the Board.”
“I take the point, Sir. And I also take the point of his reference to the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board. This is the whole point. It is not to the tourists that we want to give an impression of what Singapore is. It is our people that we want to give the impression to, of what Singapore is and how they are related to Singapore.”
“(v) What is the actual extent of the Centre's contribution towards the solution of the drug problem in the Republic? (vi) Are there plans to shift the present Centre somewhere else in a better and more conducive environment for such rehabilitation work to be carried out?”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head U be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead CBA 1101. I would just like to reflect a problem which has repeatedly been brought to my attention by my constituents. The drainage in the Tanjong Katong/Mountbatten Road as well as Poole Road, Parkstone Road, Goodman Road area is poor.”
“Sir, I suppose I shall have to do with the Minister's sympathy. With that I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting - (7) That the sum to be allocated for Head U be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead BGA 8401.”
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“Even when they travel in military transport, I have seen them sometimes cat-calling and wolf-whistling. They rush for buses when they should be queueing up. They rush across the road when a pedestrian crossing or an overhead bridge is only about a hundred metres away. I have come across these incidents because I pass a transport unit encampment every day when I return home. We have read frequently of reports regarding gotong royong projects in which Armed Forces personnel are engaged in order to link their units more closely with the community. I think this is an excellent contribution, of course, but perhaps attempts should be made to see that our soldiers in the ordinary areas of contact with civilians do not behave in such a way as to rub them the wrong way. Finally, may I refer to drivers in uniform driving civilian cars. I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister on the very fine improvement in the standard of responsibility exercised by drivers of military vehicles. But I am now talking about soldiers who drive their own cars but who happen to be in uniform. I think perhaps something should be done to see that the wearing of uniform does not make them too exuberant drivers on the road. I have noticed that there is a certain tendency in this direction. Mr Hwang Soo Jin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I should like to take the opportunity of asking the Minister how thorough is the medical examination of recruits inducted into national service, and whether they are examined not only for their physical but also their mental fitness. I ask this question because I recently came across two individuals who were clearly mentally defective and yet they were able to pass the examination and subsequently called up for national service.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0401 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1004 (The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Hwang Soo Jin.) I would like to use this subhead as a convenient peg to hang an inquiry on, and that is whether there are any rules, written or understood, relating to the appearance and behaviour of our Armed Forces personnel in public when they are in uniform. To be fair, I have not heard of too many complaints of servicemen appearing unkempt and bedraggled. But I have noticed a certain carelessness in the way some servicemen dress. Are there no regulations which stipulate how they should wear their uniform, whether they are allowed to leave buttons unbuttoned, whether they have to slip their slacks into their boots, and whether they are allowed to keep their hair long? Some of them have hair cuts which the Minister for Home Affairs might consider as belonging to a category of people who are not allowed in Singapore. I hope I do not sound too petty in bringing up these domestic issues. There is no doubt about the tremendous achievements which the Ministry of Defence must be credited with in building an impressive defence establishment. I am asking such questions because I feel it is important, now that we have reached an obviously viable stage in the development of our Armed Forces, that the image of the serviceman in the eyes of the public should be that of a gentleman as well as of a dependable fighter. This brings me to the point about the general behaviour of our servicemen and not merely their appearance. I think that sometimes in small ways the behaviour of our men in uniform leaves a little more to be desired. They cling on grimly to their seats in buses.”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $1,142,730 for Head 0109 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 3.15 p.m. Head 0201 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir,I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0109 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1002*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Hwang Soo Jin.) Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to speak on general matters pertaining to audit against this particular subhead which relates to the salary of the Deputy Auditor-General, because the Auditor-General's salary is. I think appropriately, not a subject for question by this House. The freedom that he requires for the kind of proper scrutiny that is involved in the exercise of his functions is something that the House must indeed value. I merely wish to note gladly that an increase of $153,850 under personal emoluments will be for the provision of 20 new posts to cope with additional audit, such as the People's Association audit and the Economic Development Board audit, and so on. It is highly probable that the Auditor-General is taking over the audit of these institutions as a matter of convenience. I do not know. But I would also like to express the hope that this should presage an acceptance of the principle of surveillance that the Auditor-General should exercise over the accounts of statutory institutions and other enterprises which wholly make use of public funds. It is possible that the staff requirements necessary for an extension of the functions of the Auditor-General's Department may be difficult to come by. I hope that every effort will be made to overcome any difficulties that may stand in the way of the Auditor-General's exercising his proper functions as completely and as freely as possible.”
“Sir, I am sorry if I was not so good at hearing what others said just then! 5.50p.m.”
“In this connection, if I may repeat what I have said at an earlier sitting, the sending out of instructional circulars is not enough. I think one has to see that implementation is assured. The Minister has referred to trade fairs and promotion of trade. Why not start a campaign to sell quality control here in Singapore? Why not have a mass campaign lasting over a reasonable period of time, so that the lesson could be driven home with some effect? If enough international publicity is given to this drive, and if we can convey the impression that quality control and reliability of products constitute matters of serious national concern, then our overseas promotion and participation in trade fairs will be all the more effective. Finally, I would like to touch briefly on one or two other points. The Minister has referred to a "fast pace of investment in imported capital goods". I would like to refer to a recent analysis in a local newspaper of why a leading manufacturer of dressed leather has stopped production.”
“It is important that we emphasise quality control in our factories. It is true that a number of firms have voluntarily accepted the need for quality control. Indeed I believe that the Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research has already awarded 45 quality control certificates, and an additional number of such awards is pending. But more encouragement and perhaps education has to be given to firms which may be a little deterred by the apparent cost of going in for quality control. I say "apparent cost", for it would seem that with proper and efficient introduction and operation of quality control, production would be more economical in the long run. This would seem to tie up with one of the functions which the Minister has listed as contributing to a high economic growth rate, namely (I am quoting one of the conditions listed by Mr Okita) "cost consciousness of the business enterprises about their products". Therefore, I say that quality control has to be further encouraged. I would like to ask the Minister if he will offer tangible incentives to manufacturers to turn to quality control. [Interruption] That is one, certainly, but first they will have to be persuaded to go into quality control in order to secure profits ultimately. So, will the Minister offer incentives like allowing an accelerated write-off on capital equipment used for quality control. This has been referred to, if I recollect correctly, but not tangibly. And will the incentives include a tax allowance in respect of money spent in other ways besides capital equipment, e.g., running costs and salaries of quality control personnel? At the same time, Government should set a positive example of patronising products which have received quality certificates.”
“Allied to this feature of living costs is what the Minister himself has alluded to as "an unprecedented rise in the cost of new buildings" reflected also in an escalation in the prices of property. In view of this, it would appear that thousands in the middle income group are in danger of being excluded from our property-owning democracy. I think it is time the Government looked into the question of building dwellings that will be within the reach of purchase of those who, while drawing more than $1,500 in total family income per month, do not belong to the ranks of those who can blithely .pay phenomenally high prices for houses. The Member for Telok Blangah has rejected as a suggestion that Government should go into this area of building houses for those in the middle socio-economic group. He has suggested that perhaps loans could be increased in amount. I would say that if you borrow more, you would have to pay back more. I would prefer the Government to go into this sector. The Jurong Town Corporation is itself going into this sector and I do not see why Government should not intensify their efforts so that people like the Member for Whampoa and me could benefit. I would now like to turn to another aspect of the budget statement. The Minister has remarked on the necessity for export orientation, where our industries are concerned. And he has said that our "traders and manufacturers should make greater efforts to penetrate more markets and make more sales in higher value goods. Greater promotion efforts, including participation in trade fairs, would help." I would venture to suggest that the best form of promotion lies in the quality of the goods we produce. All other public relations and promotional ventures merely follow.”
“This budget has been described several times in this House as a painless one, and indeed it should be, considering the chafing the general public feel as a result of the increase in the prices of a horde of commodities. If all this has not been reflected in the price index, then I am afraid there is a credibility gap between the price index and the experience of consumers. Or it may be that the official price is always lower than the actual market price. I must therefore reflect a fairly common anxiety that careful watch be kept over the situation. One measure that comes soon to mind is the possible salutary effect of a consumers' movement, especially in relation to commodity price rises which may be unwarranted. I have been told that attempts are being made now to register a Consumers' Association. Would the Minister, at an appropriate time, consider giving some assistance to such an association? I would imagine that initially this association would be in need of premises and of funds for full-time staff. However, what this or any other similar association would need critically would be strong public support. So perhaps the first thing that could be done should be the encouragement of any enterprise that seeks to educate consumers as to the role they may play in getting value for their money. I would also urge members to work through resident associations and the like, and through agencies that have been suggested by the Member for Kampong Kapor towards generating consumer co-operation. In any case, it would be interesting to note what the Minister will say in reply to questions in the House about the rising cost of living.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, during the debate on the budget statement that has been going on this afternoon, I have been wondering, when it came to my turn, whether I would have to call my brief address "What others say"! I hope, however, that I can think of more interesting angles to "What others say" than a broadcasting programme by the same name. May I first commend the Minister for Finance on an able, straightforward rendering of his account to Parliament. The budget statement reflects a balance between optimism and caution, between confidence and realism, and between far-sighted planning and attention to the practical ground details of implementation. There is indeed much in what the Finance Minister has said that should give rise to feelings of satisfaction. Yet there remains a fair bit over which reservations have to be expressed. One such aspect over which I cannot share the Minister's equanimity is what he has referred to as the "relative stability in the overall (Consumer Price) index". This is where I come to "What others say". I would like to reflect on and to emphasize what has already been said. If this so-called relative stability means that there has not been a general rise in the cost of living, especially in recent months, I am afraid thousands of Singaporeans will not agree, Singaporeans who go to the market, to the barber, who buy the newspapers, who sit in the buses, who go for an occasional cup of coffee at the coffee-shop round the corner, who buy stationery for the kids, and so on and so forth, including many Members of this House, especially the Members for Thomson and Kampong Kapor who have tabled questions on this same topic.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $70,000 for Head 0107 ordered to stand part of the Third Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1970, to 31st March, 1971. Head 0701 -”
“The Member for Katong is not a member of the National Safety First Council. He is only an adviser!”
“Sir, I am satisfied with what the Ministry has done since the time the Minister of Defence answered my question in Parliament regarding the care that military drivers should exercise. May I make that correction, please.”
“I would like to take this opportunity of commending the Ministry of Defence on the action taken to see that its own drivers exercise greater responsibility. But from my own experience, I personally have found no discernible improvement in the driving standard of drivers of Government vehicles since the time the Minister for Law gave us the assurance that he believed that Government vehicles should set a good example in Singapore. Incidentally, it would be interesting to know to what extent compensation has to be paid for damage caused in accidents involving police vehicles. Once I had the experience of seeing a police vehicle being driven in a most irresponsible way. The driver concerned was attempting to write certain notes in his notebook while driving the vehicle at the same time. Finally, Sir, if the amount of compensation in respect of accident claims is rising, how is it that only $25,000 has been earmarked for this same subhead in the coming financial year?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0107 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2001*. (*The same amendment also stood in the names of Mr N Govindasamy and Mr Ng Kah Ting.) Mr Speaker, Sir, at the last budget session, I raised a query regarding this same subhead. I suggested that drivers of Government vehicles should take every care to exercise their responsibility on the road, and that we should make every effort to ensure that Government vehicles set an example of social discipline on the road. The Minister for Law gave an assurance that circulars would be sent out to Government departments to make sure that drivers make every effort to follow road regulations. The Minister agreed that drivers of Government vehicles should set an example in Singapore. We find now that there is a supplementary request being made for $70,000 to be used as compensation for damage caused by Government vehicles which were involved in accidents. It would be interesting for the House to know in what manner the $20,000 originally earmarked under this subhead and this $73,000 is being spent. Does this indicate that, for the past year since the last budget, there has been an increase in the number of accidents involving Government vehicles, the fault for which accidents must be attributed to the drivers of these vehicles? Or does it mean that much more is being spent this year on compensation for accidents than for any other equal length of time in previous years? If one or both of these contentions are correct, one has to renew the appeal to the Minister to take stronger measures to see that drivers of Government vehicles exercise greater care and responsibility on the road. Perhaps the sending out of circulars is not enough.”
“Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House whether, if the testing methods are improved, we could catch more drunken drivers?”
“Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs tell the House how these drunken drivers are identified?”
“Should the study commence in January next year, can the Minister inform the House how long it will take before the study is completed?”
“Sir, I would urge the Minister to make an appropriate amendment to this portion of the Bill. Secondly, Sir, although I hasten to deny any expertness where matters related to this Bill and the Securities industry Bill are concerned, yet, as a layman, I would imagine that the provisions of these two Bills would require an adequate enforcement machinery. If this is so, can the Minister say whether there is this machinery and, if not, whether steps will be taken to provide it?”
“Sir, firstly, I am sure you will bear with me, and this House also, over a point I wish to raise regarding a mistake in English in a small portion of one of the clauses of this Bill. I refer to page 15, from line 4 onwards: `An officer of a company who, in any transaction to which this section applies, makes use for his own benefit or behalf,'. There is an obvious grammatical error here. It should be "makes use for his own benefit or on his own behalf,". I think this House should see that the standards of legal draftsmanship are adequately high and that there should be a linguistic impeccability where the drafting of our laws is concerned. An hon. Member: Hear, hear!”
“There is no reason why, once the necessity has been clearly demonstrated, even the private sector and those involved in the retail trade should not adjust themselves to the new system of weights and measures. To facilitate this, not only are good publicity and public education required, but they should be started as soon as possible and sustained over as long a period as is necessary to bring home the relevant point. 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. ----[Dr Toh Chin Chye]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment: read a Third time and passed. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.50 p.m.”
“Mr Govindasamy, Sir, the comments of the Minister for Science and Technology on metrication in the House during the last sitting on 4th November, 1970, and his own reference just now to the arbi trary basis of traditional weights and measures should leave no doubt that there is no argument about whether we-should go metric or not. Quoting from Ritchie-Calder whom the Minister referred to just now, the really important question is, just when should we go metric? The answer to this question is also clear; namely, as soon as it is organisationally and administratively feasible. This aspect of feasibility is more than adequately covered in the report on the proposed conversion to the metric system. The report refers both to metrication in the public and the private sectors. It would seem most illogical for us to continue using our old system of weights and measures. In the case of the imperial units, for example, the country where this system originated has itself decided in its own interest to change over to the metric system. Where our own local customary units are concerned, it would be most parochial indeed if we were to persist in their continued use. In Britain itself it has been clearly seen, after initial resistance, that the advantages of metrication must outweigh national sentiments or traditional feelings. It is just a question of making a decision and acting logically as a result of it. The conversion to metrication is just another process of modernisation and social change which we have to undergo. Our people have shown themselves very adaptable to such changes.”
“While taking as much care as possible to ensure quality within the prevailing constraints, its chief function has been to produce the number of teachers required to staff the schools which the Government has been energetically establishing. It is time now to consolidate our position vis-a-vis the quality of our educators. Nowhere in the Bill is there any indication of the relationship of this Institute to other institutions of tertiary education in Singapore. Thus this autonomous Institute of Education has the grave responsibility of ensuring the quality of the teachers we will produce and that the teachers we have already produced will be given all the facilities to develop to their satisfaction and to the satisfaction of our society in their chosen career. Inasmuch as our teacher educators have been equal to the particular challenges of the past, I hope they will be equal to the more significant challenges of the future. 3.57 p.m.”
“We have just heard the Minister for Education say that the Institute will introduce courses leading to the award of the degrees of Bachelor of Education and Master of Education. Presumably, the people who are candidates for these degrees will be coming from schools with the Higher School Certificate or the School Leaving Certificate. It seems to me that these people will have to be provided with knowledge of the contents of certain disciplines as well as knowledge of the pedagogical aspects of how they are going to teach these disciplines in the schools. So we have to think of equipping the would-be teachers themselves in the various disciplines apart from education. These teachers, especially those going to the secondary and post-secondary classes, will have to possess an adequate and, may I emphasise, a lively knowledge of the subjects they will have to teach. And yet the objects of the Institute are expressed in this Bill in terms that seem to exclude the equipping of our apprentice teachers with the effective knowledge of what they are going to teach as apart from how they are going to teach. It seems to me that whoever gave the brief for the drafting of the objects of this Institute, especially in their original form, may have had the present Teachers' Training College in mind. It is hoped that this Bill will not simply result in a more impressive name for the T.T.C., but that the opportunity will be grasped for a new milestone to be marked in the fundamental development of teacher education facilities in Singapore. I agree with the Member for Jurong that the Teachers' Training College has served a most useful purpose.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the first thing I wish to say is that I am glad an amendment is proposed to clause 4 (1) (c) of this Bill, so that one of the objects of the Institute of Education will be the promotion of research in education and not, as could have been originally implied, the promotion of research in teacher education. Whatever possible implications there may be, the wording of the original paragraph in question seems to me to have been quite unsatisfactory. Now we have a clearer and, indeed, a more liberal statement of the research functions of the Institute. But what are the functions of the Institute in respect of the education of our teachers? I notice that courses of study will be provided for the training of teachers in the various fields of education at all levels. This would imply that the Institute may be the only duly accredited teacher education establishment in Singapore. Inasmuch as the T.T.C, has already done this, the Institute is certainly going to take over what used to be the functions of the University of Singapore, for example, at the level of graduate teacher training. Thus we find that this Institute is apparently going to be endowed with pretty wide-ranging functions. This view is somewhat substantiated by clause 4 (2) (e) , by which this Institute will be empowered to institute and award fellowships, exhibitions and so on, and forms of assistance towards the advancement and dissemination of knowledge, presumably knowledge in general, because no qualification is stipulated. And yet when we look at clause 4 (1) (a) , we find that the study courses provided will be for the training of teachers in education. In other words, it seems to me that the emphasis is on the pedagogical aspects of training, to the exclusion of the academic aspects.”
“It may be useful if this White Paper is followed by a no less significant declaration really to clean up traffic conditions resulting from a low standard of driving. 7.14 p.m.”
“I wonder if the Minister would deem it feasible to have a lower and an upper age limit for vehicles, a lower limit after which inspection is more stringent, and an upper limit beyond which the type of vehicle concerned will not be allowed to operate. Another point I would like to refer to is the position of school and pirate taxi drivers. This again is another matter that has been referred to frequently in debate. Whatever the moral strictures-one may level at the pirate taxi drivers, they, together with the school taxi drivers, still pose a social problem. We note in the White Paper a comment that those associated with pirate taxi operations are well advised! to contemplate a meaningful change of occupation. May I add my appeal to that of the Member for Jalan Kayu and the Member for Anson that it might be possible for additional help, counselling and registration to be given to such people so that they may be relocated to useful occupations? I find the White Paper's reference to "the Republic's aim of building a law abiding, disciplined, tightly knit and organised society for Singapore" most gratifying indeed. I think it is essential to link this concept with traffic on Singapore roads. I would like to emphasise a view that has been expressed in this House before, that seemingly the highways in Singapore constitute the last bastion of a buccaneering disregard for the law. This disregard is not confined to pirate taxis - the highways generally remaining the last stronghold of indiscipline, disorganisation and indifference to others. May I express the hope that the problem of the standard of driving will be attended to with due regard being given to enforcement of the rules of the road.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it would be pertinent to underline the point made in the White Paper that a significant objective of the proposals in this paper is provision for the vast numbers of our people who use the public transport service with better value for the money they spend. I do not think anyone can quarrel with this objective. This principle is quite irrefutable. But some of the details of implementation leave room for some comment. In discussing this matter with some of my constituents one feature that seems to evoke objection is the age limit to be imposed on vehicles. That there is some public consensus with regard to this has been indicated by the number of times this matter has been adverted to by other Members in, this House. Many people are of the view that the road reliability of a vehicle depends as much on how it is used and looked after as on simply its age. It could be agreed that we would like to encourage owners and the drivers of public service vehicles to keep their vehicles in a constant condition of roadworthiness. This being so, stress should be laid on periodical inspection of vehicles on the basis of reasonably exacting standards. Therefore, if vehicles fulfil these standards, it may be possible to extend their age limit to the number of years, where relevant, originally recommended by the Transport Advisory Board. In other words, it would be possible to extend the lease of life of vehicles beyond the limit decided upon by the White Paper up to the limit recommended by the Transport Advisory Board, provided that such vehicles pass the required inspection test.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, how near is the "near future"?”
“The setting up of this Science Centre will help, I hope, to combat our ignorance of the effects in the long run of the exploitation of nature, as well as encourage our people towards such an understanding of science as will enable our society to advance to more sophisticated levels of industry. I think we must view this Bill as laying the foundation for the establishment of the new Science Centre. This Bill will enable the Board, when it is set up, to proceed apace with the negotiation for acquisition of exhibits, training of staff, planning for the construction of the centre itself, and so on. The centre will eventually take over the National Museum, at least the exhibits there which relate to the life sciences. May I suggest that the current site of the National Museum with its historical architectural features can serve as a centre for the exhibition of such materials as can attest to the various cultural backgrounds that make up the multi-faceted life that we enjoy in Singapore. 3.54 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to voice my wholehearted support of the Bill. The Science Centre, as we have just heard, will be an autonomous statutory body. It is good to note that whilst the Science Centre Board will be ultimately responsible to the Minister for Science and Technology, it will yet have discretion over the acquisition and disposal of funds, and have adequate administrative control over its officers and employees so that it will be in a position to direct the implementation of its objectives. The setting up of the Board has a particularly special logic. The Science Centre, we have heard, will have two components generally, namely, life sciences and technology. In the real business of living, these two aspects are, I think, inextricably intertwined. One cannot produce technologists without orientating such people to the objectives of technology, namely, to make life much better for the people. At the same time, trying to interest our people in life sciences in vacuo is, I think, a most difficult task. Understanding of the relationship between man and his environment, a perception of the ecological problem, can best be inculcated by referring to the effects of technology on man. Technology has not been an unmitigated boon. Advances in science have resulted in pollution, in noise, anti-conservation, in traffic jams, in industrial hazards, mental ill-health, and so on. It is only when we bring home to our people a sense of the vital relationship between technology and our down-to-earth living that we can ensure a better life for our people as well as help produce technicians and technologists who will contribute to this gracious life.”
“I would earnestly ask the responsible Ministers concerned to think of a serious campaign to educate road-users on their responsibilities and, following this education campaign, to implement as rigorously other aspects of traffic laws as those which this Bill seeks to implement in respect of what is contained here. May I finally, say, Sir, that besides the question of simple implementation, there is the question of furnishing our police officers with the necessary equipment and manpower to do their job properly.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir. At first, I did not intend to speak. But at the invitation of the Minister for Communications, I would like to say a few words. May I say that I agree with the Member for Sembawang that this Bill has a limited application? It is, however, an earnest of the Government's desire to improve the conditions of road traffic. But in respect of specific aspects of such conditions, this Bill relates to action to be taken against excessive emission of smoke. It ensures safety for those on motor cycles, and it gives power to the Government to take action against those vehicles that are causing obstruction. But the question of road traffic, safety, observance of regulations, I think, has a wider reference. Any motorist can notice the flagrant flouting of traffic laws in the very short distance that he takes to cover the minimum journey. I think this flouting of traffic laws will result in the law itself being brought into disrespect. The whole problem of road safety, road courtesy, and road traffic has to be viewed in its total context. It is hoped that there will be a vigorous attempt to instil into our citizens a respect for the laws of the road and a sense of social discipline where the use of the road is concerned. This Bill does indicate that there has been a certain amount of education preceding the intention now to implement rigorously those aspects which, as I have said, relate to excessive smoke, to the use of crash helmets and to obstruction.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise merely to underline the points that have been brought up, especially by the Member for Telok Blangah. One of his points regarding the necessity to prohibit smoking in buses too has again been emphasised. But I wish to say how fortuitous it is and what a happy coincidence that the Acting Minister for Health is also the Minister for Culture! That being the case, perhaps notice can be taken of the necessity to encourage theatre managers to remove cigarette advertisements from the screen. In order to do that, I think the Ministry of Culture should set the example by removing these advertisements from T.V, and over the radio. Hon. Members: Hear, hear!”
“Sir, may I just seek clarification? Will this relief on income tax on a net annual value of less than $6,000 be made retrospective to the time when this annual value was raised? Mr Tang See Chim: Sir, consideration will be given to whether or not this exemption will be back-dated to the 1st January of this year. Sir, my attention has just been drawn to clause 1 of the Bill which says: 'This Act shall be deemed to have come into operation on the 1st day of January, 1970.' 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 Tang See Chim.] Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. NGEE ANN COLLEGE (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.30 p.m.”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 1303 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1601. Briefly, Sir, I want to express my disgust over the appalling condition of our public conveniences, and the inadequacy of this provision. Perhaps the Minister can enlighten the House on whether he has any intention to improve the situation, especially in view of the fact that tens of thousands of tourists yearly visit Singapore and at some stage or other of their wandering about town they might have to make use of such conveniences.”
“In the same newspaper which I quoted from, there is an article on the danger of excessive noise to health. I will certainly not bother with too many excerpts, but there is one point which I would like to bring out. It is this: 'The financial loss from inefficiency and damage directly or indirectly caused by noise has been put at something between £1,000 million and £2,000 million.' This is as far as the United Kingdom is concerned. Of course, there is the health aspect of noise in that laboratory investigations have revealed that although a person cannot hear a particular volume of noise in his sleep, there is some effect on the registration of his brain waves, and although noise seems to be tolerable to the human ear, it has some deleterious effect on the animal ear. This is certainly an indication that noise has an effect on our health. But somehow or other, I feel that there is no adequate legislation to ensure that people show respect to each other with regard to noise. I have had members of my constituency coming to me and saying that they had lodged complaints about excessive noise being emitted by certain concerns near their dwelling places, and all that the police said was that they would have to inform the development-control people, and that was all that came of it. I think the Minister, with his staff of able helpers, should be able to find out in what way we can control this problem of noise. 7.15 p.m.”
“Good, there should be co-operation between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Communications. It is somehow a happy coincidence, Sir, as I was looking through the latest edition of the London Times dated 19th March, 1970, in the Members' Room today I came across a letter to the editor from a public health inspector urging the limitation of air pollution caused by motor vehicles. The relevant point that I would like to bring out from this letter is that in America there is, and I quote: "...a minimum standard whereby the emissions of hydro carbon and carbon monoxide are limited. Further it is expected that other controls will be introduced in the near future.' Again I learned from the same letter that in Belgium there are standards enforced in relation to pollution from diesel engines. What are the standards, if any, that we set? I hope that we do not lag behind in this respect. Just as we have mobilised public concern for the cleanliness of our city with regard to garbage disposal, litter and the mosquito menace, in the same way we have to secure the active participation of our citizens in keeping our atmosphere clean. Moreover, Sir, I say it is the Ministry of Health's duty also to awaken the different relevant sectors of our Government to their particular responsibility where air and other forms of pollution are concerned. Apart from air pollution, there is also the question of contamination of our streams and beaches. The Singapore River and the beach area bordering the "Golden Mile" frequently exude a stench which is offensive to our sense of smell. Cannot something be done about this? Finally, in relation to atmospheric pollution, there is the question of noise.”
“Sir, no one can deny that industrial waste contributes to bad air. We must be alert at all times to see what can be done to filter the noxious fumes that emerge daily out of our industrial chimney stacks. As I have mentioned, there is gathering an accumulation of concern about this problem. But I think that the same concern, if not more, should be expressed over air pollution caused by automobile fumes. In an article written for the 1969 edition of the Britannica Year Book entitled Agenda for the future, the recent President of the United States, Mr Lyndon Johnson, speaking on air pollution said, '...the automobile is probably the greatest single poisoner of the air.' I am quoting from page 42 of the book. I think more positive and firm action should be taken with regard to this form of chemical warfare, which in the long run is being directed against our children, for the effects of this pollution are slow and insidious and may not be fully felt except by the coming generation. In connection with pollution from motor vehicles, Sir, I say that the Health Ministry should investigate and decide what are the standards of emission of smoke that may be permissible, and sternly enforce these standards. An hon. Member: The Ministry of Communications.”
“We have just heard the Minister underlining this point. But there is one aspect of environmental degradation about which there has not been sufficient arousal of public concern. This is in respect of atmospheric and water pollution. There are already rumblings in the air regarding the danger of industrial pollution. We have just heard some rumbling from the Member for Kallang, and I would like to rumble in consonance with what he has said!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the responsibility for environmental health is one which everybody should shoulder. This point has been made abundantly clear during the "Keep Singapore Clean" campaign.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, I think there is no doubt of our intention to ensure the development of Singapore into a garden city. Presumably, the Botanic Gardens has an important role to play in this campaign. Yet when one looks at the staff list of the Botanic Gardens, one is surprised to see the dearth of trained horticulturists in such a staff list. According to the 1968 Botanic Gardens Annual Report, one of the curators whose field, I think, is horticulture was transferred to the Trees and Parks Division. This brings me to the point that it would be more efficient, in my view, for the purpose of Singapore's development as a garden city, that the Botanic Gardens and the Trees and Parks Division should come under one management, so to speak. We certainly hope to see continued success in the Government's efforts to turn Singapore into a garden city. Towards this end, I think there should be more consideration given to generating citizen participation in this exercise. I have noticed on television that the Primary Production Department is advertising the sale of garden fertilisers. I think the Botanic Gardens or, if it is joined up with the Trees and Parks Division under a kind of joint management, this organisation could run courses for the general public or programmes of public education over radio and on television to encourage our citizens to make their homes and surroundings resemble attractive gardens and add more pleasure in their lives.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am satisfied with the answer and I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr J. F. Conceicao - (2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1102 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1007.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move That the sum to be allocated for Head 1102 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr P. Selvadurai.) Sir, the Department of Social Welfare administers a number of institutions whose residents produce goods of a quality that compare, in my opinion. favourably with similar goods produced by commercial concerns. For example, the various social welfare institutions produce furniture, home ornaments, toys, haberdashery, cakes, garden items, and so on. I believe that if there could be co-ordination in the sale of these goods produced by social welfare institutions through some sort of a central agency, it might contribute to greater success in the sale of these goods. My experience is that these goods are put on sale perhaps once a year in some sale of work. It was through this sale of work that I came to know that these goods are available and of quite good quality. So if there is a central marketing agency, so to speak, the lesson could be driven home clearly to the residents of these social welfare homes that their work has indeed some useful end. In other words, they have contributed towards their own support in the institutions in which they reside.”
“Madam Chan Choy Siong: (12) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1701. Madam Chan Choy Siong: (13) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1705.”
“(8) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1488. (9) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1521. (10) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1601.”
“(4) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1101.”
“(2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1006.”
“I do feel that these advertisements are couched in such persuasive, seductive and alluring terms that they may have an effect on those of our people who have not yet acquired the habit of smoking. With regard to those people who have already become addicts, I do not suppose much can be done. But thinking of the younger people I suggest it would be better to balance the health of the young people against the revenue that we get out of cigarette advertisements. 4.30 p.m. Finally, I would like to say that since we have research officers in the Ministry of Culture, some attempt should be made to find out what the people really think about our programmes - to find out their tastes, and what the audience-rating is like. In this way we can provide them with what they want. And if what they want is healthy, we can provide it; if not, we can devise some method of educating our listeners by giving them more desirable programmes.”