Lim Kim San
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board's investigation shows that the residents of Pulau Ubin are unwilling to pay higher prices due to higher operating costs, thereby causing the contractor to cease operations. It was explained to the hon.”
“Sir, I understand the Member's point, but I hope he realises that six months after serving notice, the pigs will still be defecating freely which will continue to contaminate our water.”
“Sir, if anyone should get sick from coming into contact with contaminated water, I hope they will accept sympathy from the Member for Jurong. But we cannot evaluate the danger to human life in terms of dollars and cents. The farmers have known for several years now that pig-rearing will have to be phased out of the catchment areas.”
“Sir, all I can say is that we are still looking into the feasibility of siting a coal-fired station on one of the islands to reduce the pollution problem. But no definite decision has yet been made. We have several offers to do a feasibility study on it, and we are looking closely into the matter. 5.45 p.m.”
“Merit Scholar- Merit Courses ships Bursaries Medicine/ Dentistry 44 41 Engineering 28 22 Architecture/ Building/ Estate Management 6 18 Accountancy/ Business Administration 9 14 Arts/Social Science/Law 32 40 Science (includes Pharmacy) 82 102 ___ ___ 201 237 === === Sir, I believe the hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, air pollution is being monitored daily by the Anti- Pollution Unit, and we find that the air pollution in industrial estates and the urban areas is normally higher than in the residential or rural areas.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,111 lines we hold for Lim Kim San, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 14 of 23.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the police has taken action to prevent teenagers from selling Mahpiewpo at busy traffic junctions and at known places where they congregate. I think there have been less of them, but we would like to prevent them altogether. I can assure the Member for Mountbatten that action has been taken and will be taken to see that these people do not hold up traffic unnecessarily and, at the same time, endanger their lives. TOA PAYOH HOUSING ESTATE (Police station) 5. Mr Eric Cheong Yuen Chee asked the Minister for Defence whether the Government plans to build a proper police station at the Toa Payoh Housing Estate to replace the present Police Post located on the ground floor of one of the blocks of flats in the Estate.”
“I say good luck and all the best to them. TEENAGE NEWS-VENDORS (Prevention of practice of selling newspapers at major road junctions) 4. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Defence whether he proposes to take steps to prevent teenage children from selling evening newspapers carrying results of big sweep draws (Mahpiewpo) at major road junctions as this practice not only causes danger to the children themselves, but also impedes the flow of vehicular traffic.”
“I cannot give an assurance that there will be no loss in seniority or status, because the training and the service that is required by us might be different from what the man has been accustomed to. Inche Abdul Aziz Karim: Sir, can the Minister say what is the official attitude of the Government towards Singapore citizens serving in foreign armed forces including the Malaysian Armed Forces?”
“Sir, out of the 46. 21 were rejected on grounds of unsuitable vocation, had record or due to lack of proof of citizenship.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I cannot answer the first part of the question because we do not have figures showing how many Singapore citizens are serving in the Malaysian Armed Forces. The records are with them. As for the second part of the question, to date there have been 46 applications for transfer to the Singapore Armed Forces from Singapore citizens who were enlisted as members of the Malaysian Armed Forces outside Singapore.”
“Sir, when the People's Association first organised kindergarten classes in community cen tres in January 1964, there were only eight centres providing this service. However, by the end of 1968, 138 community centres were conducting kindergarten classes and 390 such classes were organised with a total enrolment of 11,190 children. Of the 390 classes, 15 of them with a student population of 445 are taught in Malay. 35 with a student population of 1.125 in English and the rest in Mandarin, i.e.. 339 classes with 9,620 children. Notwithstanding the above classification, Mr Speaker, Sir, a second language is also taught in all classes once a week. Satisfactory progress has been made by the People's Association in the or~anisation of kindergarten classes as a service to the community. Furthermore, the standard of instruction provided in these classes is comparable to that of other kindergarten classes in the Republic. SINGAPORE CITIZENS IN MALAYSIAN ARMED FORCES (Applications for transfer to Singapore Armed Forces) 3. Inche Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi asked the Minister for Defence (a) how many Singapore Citizens had enlisted in the Malaysian Armed Forces during the time when Singapore was in Malaysia: and (b) how many of them have applied to the Ministry of the Interior and Defence for transfer to the Singapore Armed Forces.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, organising residents' associations in Housing and Development Board housing estates is not a function of the People's Association whose main objective is the organisation and development of community centres in all the constituencies in the Republic. The People's Association, in liaison with the management committees of the various community centres, initiates and supervises the activities in the centres. However, where residents in Housing and Development Board estates have problems to raise with the Housing and Development Board authorities, they can make representations through the Citizens' Consultative Committee in their estates. Incidentally, the Citizens' Consultative Committees come under the portfolio of the Prime Minister. Up to now, there has been close and successful liaison through the C.C.C, between the Housing and Development Board and residents in the following estates, namely, Henderson Road, Bukit Merah, Toa Payoh, Kallang, Kampong Java and Tiong Bahru estates. PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION'S KINDERGARTEN CLASSES (Particulars) 2. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Defence (a) what has been the total enrolment for 1968 in the kindergarten classes run by the People's Association; (b) what are the media of instruction: and (c) whether he is satisfied with the progress made.”
“Rajaratnam); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (Chapter 207 of the Revised Edition) and for purposes connected therewith", presented by the Minister for Communications (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. CONSIDERATION OF MORE THAN ONE ITEM OF SUPPLY BUSINESS (Business Motion) 2.58 p.m. Resolved, "That, notwithstanding the Standing Orders, the Second and Third Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1968 and the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for 1968, be taken today." - [Dr Goh Keng Swee]. SECOND SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1968 OF SINGAPORE THIRD SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1968 OF SINGAPORE AND FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1968 OF SINGAPORE 3.00 p.m. Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [Allotted Day]. [Mr Speaker in the Chair]”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there were 448 cases of contraventions since the National Service Ordinance came into effect. The main types of contraventions are - Before enrolment, wilfully failing to turn up for registration or wilfully failing to appear for medical examination when directed to do After enrolment: (a) failure to report for training; and (b) being absent from training without leave. Out of the total of 448 were dealt with in court, pending, 154 pending police investigations, and eight are missing. On the whole, I think the Ordinance has been satisfactorily implemented. If we compare the number that has responded to national service with the number of convictions, the percentage is almost negligible. This in itself shows how successful national service has been. BILLS INTRODUCED 2.55 p.m. STAMP (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Stamp Ordinance (Chapter 170 of the Revised Edition)", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Finance (Dr Goh Keng Swee); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. STATUTORY BOARDS (TAXABLE SERVICES) BILL "to provide for the imposition of a tax on services rendered by statutory boards', recommendation of President signified; presented by Dr Goh Keng Swee; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR OFFICERS (OATHS AND FEES) BILL "to provide for the administration of oaths and the levy of fees by diplomatic and consular officers", recommendation of President signified presented by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour (Mr S.”
“Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Defence (a) whether there have been cases of contraventions of the National Service Ordinance, and how many; (b) what penalties have been meted out to the offenders; and (c) if he is satisfied with the manner in which the Ordinance has been implemented.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we prefer to popularise the use of crash helmets through education rather than by legislation. VEHICLES EMITTING EXCESSIVE EXHAUST SMOKE (Number and results of prosecutions against offenders) 12. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Defence (a) what action is taken on information received from members of the public of vehicles which emit excessive exhaust smoke; (b) how many cases of prosecutions there were against owners or operators of vehicles emitting excessive exhaust smoke between 1st January and 30th September, 1968; and (c) what were the results of such prosecutions. Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, usually on receipt of information from members of the public regarding vehicles emitting excessive exhaust smoke, action is taken under section 37 (1) of the Road Traffic Ordinance whereby the Deputy Commissioner of Police or the Registrar of Vehicles may require the owner of any licensed vehicle to produce his vehicle for inspection. At the time of inspection, a policeman is present and if the car inspected emits excessive exhaust smoke, a report is made by the police officer present and appropriate action is taken, whether or not an informant is prepared to give evidence in court. The police send an offer of composition of $20 to the owner of the vehicle. If the owner of the vehicle refuses to accept the offer of composition, a summons is taken out against him. For the period 1st January, 1968, to 30th September, 1968, a total of 2,938 reports were made against vehicles emitting excessive exhaust smoke. In every case, the owners of the vehicles were offered a composition of $20. A total of 502 summonses have been applied for and are due to be issued by the Traffic Courts. NATIONAL SERVICE ORDINANCE (Penalties for contravention) 13.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there were 670 cases of head injuries suffered by the scooterists, motor-cyclist, and pillion riders in road accident from 1st May to 30th September this year. Of this number, 138 cases were serious but non fatal, and 28 cases were fatal. 97.8 percent of the serious cases and 100 percent of the fatal cases were instances were no crash helmets were worn.”
“Rodrigo asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) how many prosecutions were conducted in the Subordinate Criminal Courts for the period 1st January, 1967 to 30th June, 1968; (b) how many of these prosecutions resulted in convictions: (c) how many of these convictions were the result of the accused pleading guilty; (d) how many of these prosecutions were for offences classified as follows : - (i) Assault, causing hurt, grievous or otherwise, with or without weapons: (ii) Robbery; (iii) Extortion; (iv) Theft; (v) Cheating; (vi) Criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of property; (vii) Sexual offences; (viii) Vagrancy; (ix) Drunkenness; (x) Gambling and connected offences; (xi) Opium-smoking and connected offences; and (xii) Smuggling and connected offences; (e) How many of the accused convicted for each of the above classifications of offences were women: and (f) how many of the accused convicted for each of the above classifications of offences were 18 years old and below at the time of the offence.”
“Barker: (a) Number of prosecutions conducted 77 in the High Court for the period 1st January, 1967 to 30th June, 1968 (b) Number of prosecutions which 68 resulted in conviction (c) Number of convictions which were the result of the accused pleading guilty (i) on the original charges 24 (ii) on reduced charges 16 (d) Number of prosecutions classified under the following: - (i) Murder and connected 22 offences (ii) kidnapping Nil (iii) gang robbery 13 (iv) rape 12 (v) causing miscarriage Nil and connected offences (e) Number of women convicted under the following classifications: - (i) murder and connected 1 offences (ii) kidnapping Nil (iii) gang robbery Nil (iv) causing miscarriage and Nil connected offences (f) Number of convicted persons of the age of 18 years and below under the following classifications: - (i) murder and connected 1 offences (ii) kidnapping Nil (iii) gang robbery Nil (iv) rape Nil (v) causing miscarriage and Nil connected offences CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS: SUBORDINATE CRIMINAL COURTS 3. Mr L. P.”
“A total of 196 cases of suicides were recorded during the period 1st January, 1967 to 30th June, 1968. On the basis that no one in a normal state of mind will commit suicide, 100 per cent of the recorded cases can be said to be anomic. CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS: HIGH COURT 2. Mr L. P. Rodrigo asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) how many prosecutions were conducted in the High Court for the period 1st January. 1967, to 30th June, 1968; (b) how many of these prosecutions resulted in convictions; (c) how many of these convictions were the result of the accused pleading guilty (i) on the original charges, and (ii) on reduced charges; (d) how many of those prosecutions had been for offences classified as follows: - (i) Murder and connected offences; (ii) Kidnapping; (iii) Gang Robbery; (iv) Rape; and (v) Causing miscarriage and connected offences; (e) how many of the accused convicted for each of the above classifications of offences (other than rape) were women; and (f) how many of the accused convicted for each of the above classifications of offences were 18 years old and below at the time of the offence. Mr E. W.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, between 1st January and 15th July, 1968, only one complaint was made to the police of an alleged offence under the House to House and Street Collections Ordinance. Investigations are still being carried out by the police. OBSCENE PUBLICATIONS (Preventive measures) 10. Inche Rahmat bin Kenap asked the Minister for Culture whether the Government will consider taking more stringent measures to curb the publication of obscene articles in certain books, magazines and newspapers, as such publications are detrimental to the minds and morals of our youths.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, from the 1st of January to 15th July, 1968, a total of 44 licences were issued under the House to House and Street Collections Ordinance, but no such licences were issued to advertising agencies or the employees of advertising agencies. HOUSE TO HOUSE AND STREET COLLECTIONS (Complaints and allegations) 9. Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon asked the Minister for Defence (a) how many complaints have been made to the Police between 1st January, 1968, and the latest convenient date of offences or alleged offences under the House to House and Street Collections Ordinance (Cap. 220); (b) how many of these cases contained allegations of the improper or unauthorised use of the names or photographs of well-known persons; (c) how many cases of such allegations were against advertising agencies or the employees of advertising agencies; and (d) what action was taken in connection with these complaints and allegations.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the teachers have contributed to the National Defence Fund through various sources and it is not possible to give the required breakdown. HOUSE TO HOUSE AND STREET COLLECTIONS (Particulars of licences) 8. Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon asked the Minister for Defence (a) how many licences were issued between the 1st January, 1968, and the latest convenient date by the Commissioner of Police under section 4 of the House to House and Street Collections Ordinance (Cap. 220); and (b) how many such licences were issued to advertising agencies or the employees of advertising agencies.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I refer hon. Members to the communique which was issued at the end of the conference on the 11th of June. Press conferences were also given by each of the five delegations. As far as the Singapore delegation is concerned, we consider that the conference was useful. The problems arising out of the decision of the British Government to withdraw from the land bases in Singapore and Malaysia by the end of 1971 were examined and an integrated air defence system was agreed upon. A detailed examination of the form of this integration is being undertaken by an Air Defence Advisory Working Group. There are also working groups on joint naval defence, on the agreement in principle of a Jungle Warfare Training School run on a multi-national basis, and there will be further discussion of these matters in these working committees. In the first half of 1969, it is expected that the second joint Ministerial conference will be held to consider the progress made in these working sessions. BRANCH LIBRARY IN JURONG TOWN 11. Mr Low Guan Onn asked the Minister for Culture whether the National Library plans to set up a branch library in Jurong Town for the benefit of the workers and their school-going children in the area, or, alternatively, to send the mobile library to the Town at least once a week.”
“Sir, my Ministry is exploring the possibility of providing military training during the long holidays for men studying in higher institutions of learning. But it must be stressed, however, that the training given on the basis of disconnected periods, such as during long vacations only, cannot be as effective or as comprehensive as that given during full-time service. FIVE-POWER DEFENCE TALKS IN KUALA LUMPUR 10. Madam Chan Choy Siong asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the agreement reached at the Five-Power Defence Talks held in Kuala Lumpur recently.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member for Geylang Serai will be pleased to hear that planning for a new rural type community centre at Jalan Pasir in the Geylang Serai district is at the advanced stage now. The Public Works Department has been commissioned to undertake the construction and it is expected that by mid-August actual construction will begin. The estimated date for completion would be two months after August. NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING FOR STUDENTS IN HIGHER INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING 9. Mr Low Guan Onn asked the Minister for Defence whether he will consider allowing Pre-University students and students in institutions of higher learning to do part of their two-year National Service training during the long holidays and to complete the remainder of their training period after graduation, so that they can be available to industries earlier, as the Republic is in need of trained men during the crucial years ahead.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, to answer the third question first. It is because I probably might ask for a supplementary estimate next year, and that is why there is a token vote of $10. The token vote of $10 indicates that we either have a plan to carry on with the project in mind - in this instance, it is the purchase of a launch for the supervision of barter trade and also for enforcing immigration regulations at the Jurong wharf - or that the plans are not completely finalised so that we have not made up our minds as to what sort of launches we need to have, or how many launches there are, and the cost. That is why the token vote is put in. As you will remember, Mr Speaker, Sir, in the debate on the Supplementary Estimates which took place a week or so ago here, Members accused the Ministries concerned of not being exact in their estimates of the votes. Here is another reason why, not having been able to work out all the details of the plan in time, or not being able to decide whether the plan can feasibly be carried out next year or not, we put in a token vote of $10. Contrary to the belief of the Member for Sembawang, when he says that there is no plan at all for this project, I can assure him that every time we put in a vote, there is a plan on the project. Mr Teong Eng Siong(In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, I am happy with the explanation, and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $10 for Head 12 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 20 -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is a matter of detail. The vote is allocated for the building of community centres all over Singapore. I regret very much that at this moment I am unable to tell him whether $1,000 or $5,000 is to be allocated for Sembawang, or whether nothing is to be allocated for Sembawang. But if he really wants to, he can put in a written Question, and I will give the full details of how these votes are allocated. But, in general, the principle is that this vote is to be allocated for building community centres all over Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, if the Member is very interested to know whether or not he is going to get an additional community centre in his constituency, I am unable to enlighten him. The programme md the plan are with the People's Association and can always be made available to him. But if he does not want to avail himself of this opportunity, but wants me to write to him, I will do so. As for the other questions, Mr Speaker, Sir, I will abide by your ruling.”
“But we do not like to have any government facilities lying idle and I have already proposed to them that they can also entertain applications at times - I think it will be quite often - from any organisations, bodies or groups of people who want to use it.”
“I agree with you, Mr Speaker, Sir, because these are details on which we should not waste the time of the House. For the information of the Member for Punggol, there is a very good reason why we call the committees "management committees". They have to manage everything well within their means. Sir, what is the Staff Club House for? The People's Association has a staff of about 1,200 who are responsible for the running of, I think, 183 or 184 community centres. As the Member for Punggol has pointed out, the staff are: spread all over the island and they have few opportunities of meeting one another socially or of discussing their work. All members of the staff are citizens of Singapore and I am sure the Member for Punggol will not deny a section of our citizens facilities for social intercourse and sporting netivities. That is one of the reasons why we decided that there should be a Staff Club House for the, staff of the People's Association. Another reason is to give them the facilities to meet and talk about their problems. I think the Member for Punggol is aware that we just held a staff seminar of the People's Association: to discuss ways and means ot improving their work in the community centres so that there can be an interchange of views between the members of the staff of the People's Association. The Member for Punggol has also asked me whether we can afford a Staff Club House. Surely, if we cannot afford it, the Minister for Finance will not have allowed it to be in the vote! The answer is 'Yes'. This is going to be a substantive Staff Club House situated next to the headquarters of the People's Association and the rugger field in Mountbatten Road. The first priority for its use will be confined to members of the staff of the People's Association.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I was told by the Member for Anson and other Members that it is not so much the building that they go for but the playing-fields. There is no point in having a large building where there are limited playing-fields.”
“But I will be surprised if he can acquire 4,000 square feet of land in Anson for $4,000!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am considering now. If the Member for Anson can assure me that, by spending $4,000 he can extend the area of the community centre in Anson to a size suitable for use, I will allow that.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member for Punggol has forgotten that when we consider sites for community centres, Members of Parliament of the constituencies are consulted.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this matter was carefully considered and some amendments were made by lowering the age limit. I do not think it is possible now to make any further amendments to make it easier for people to come in.”
“But there are certain considerations of a larger issue which we must have in mind. One point here which I do not understand is all this talk about filial piety and filial duty at this time when during the last few years it was so easy for parents to come in, and suddenly there is now talk of filial piety and filial duty. This is something which I cannot understand at all. In drawing up our rules and regulations for admission of aged parents here, we have taken the humanitarian aspect into consideration, and I do not think we can further relax it without undue harm to our rate of progress in the economic field. With regard to the question of certificates of identity for holders of blue identity cards, the matter is being looked into. I will not make any commitment just now. We understand the invidious position in which these people are put, and we shall try to do our best to see that they are given travel facilities without in any way committing ourselves to being responsible for them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the example quoted by the Member for Bras Basah in Mandarin and the Member for Choa Chu Kang with respect to the difficulty of getting a tourist visa, I would like to say only this: one swallow does not make a summer. These are exceptions to the rule and we have certain rules and regulations which are very necessary for an orderly society. With regard to the applications for entry and admission of aged parents of Singapore citizens into Singapore, if they conform to these rules and regulations, I do not see any difficulty in giving them permission to come in. It is only in cases where they do not conform that all these difficulties arise. As far as we know, there has been no difficulty at all for tourists to obtain visas in Singapore. In fact, we have made it easier by making the following provision. We are extending the length of time that air passengers can remain in Singapore without a visa - from 48 to 96 hours. In other words, anyone who visits Singapore by air can stay in Singapore for up to 96 hours without a visa. Mr Speaker, Sir, the proposal of the Member for Delta to reduce the age is a problem which I think has been considered. One must remember that once the age limit is lowered, there may be a flood of people coming into Singapore on this pretext. Though our economy is improving and expanding, we are not out of the woods yet, and it would not do for us at this moment to carry a very large proportion of the population who bring no economic benefit at all to us. I think Members of the Government and also the civil service have the same humanitarian feeling as the Back-benchers, especially the Member for Bras Basah -we are as touched as he is by the fate of these people who would like to be reunited with their parents.”
“Sir, I can assure the hon. Member for Delta that our teeth are growing! I do not know whether the Member for Sembawang was in the Chamber when the Member for Aljunied spoke on the question of police/public relationship. If not, I would suggest that he exchange notes with the Member for Aljunied and he will see the other side of the picture. He will be aware also that there has been a great improvement in police/public relationship, due largely to the training that we are giving to our officers and men in the Police Training School. The public has responded readily to this change of attitude of the police and has come forward with information which has greatly helped the police in maintaining peace, order and the suppression of crime. It is our desire, of course, to have women conscripted and directed to the various youth movements that we have, Unfortunately, Mr Speaker, Sir, it is just not a question of conscripting, but having conscripted such a large number of persons, they must be trained, and that is where the bottle-neck is. We do not have sufficient men or women instructors to train them. Therefore, at the moment, except for those in the Vigilante Corps and a few in the Special Constabulary, we are not conscripting women. But later on perhaps, when we have enough instructors, we will probably conscript women into the services.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Singapore Work Brigade was first set up to give those young school leavers who could not find work some training, skill and discipline, so that once they get any work they would fit in more easily. But with national service, it is found that the necessary training and discipline can be given in the various bodies into which these national servicemen are directed. Therefore, the Singapore Work Brigade is being run down; hence the reduction of more than $1 million this year. With regard to the question of allowing the Work Brigade to undertake certain work for Members of Parliament to improve the minor works in their constituencies, while this is desirable, it is also important for Members of Parliament to understand that there must be centralised control. There must also be control of finances, because all this work entails finances. And if work projects in the rural areas or constituencies are not directed by a single body, there would be duplication and chaos, and certain constituencies, through the influence of their Members of Parliament, and with cajoling, persuasion and other means, would be able to get more than their just share. Where the work is really urgent, I think Members of Parliament could easily approach the U.R.S.C., and I am sure that the U.R.S.C, would approve the project and get it done in double-quick time.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I hope that the Member for Aljunied, in his desire to be trained more than twice a month, is not motivated by the allowance provided for members of the P.D.F. while under training! I can assure him that we will not deviate from our objective of making our young people rugged. Therefore, in the training programme that we will be drawing up for the P.D.F., whether it be two or three times a month or even once a month, we will see to it that it will tax their physical endurance to the utmost. As regards the reorganisation of the P.D.F., the intention -and I think it is known to members of the P.D.F. -is that national conscripts are now being transferred to the P.D.F. With the present organisation in the P.D.F., it is not possible to give the requisite training to the continuous intake of national servicemen. Therefore, it has been decided to give the P.D.F, a 3« months' holiday, so that the full-time instructors in the P.D.F, can now attend a course to enable them to undertake the training of the P.D.F, which will now include national servicemen. Lastly, the idea is that the P.D.F, will now be reorganised into battalions and will be given requisite training which we think will enable them to better assist in the defence of the country. Beyond that, Mr Speaker, Sir, I will not go.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am quite surprised that the Member for Aljunied does not know the procedure for application of school crossing patrols. For his information, normally it is the Principal of the school who makes the application to the police who, if they find that there is a case for a school crossing patrol, will give approval for the school to engage such patrols. However, Mr Speaker, Sir, with so many members of the public coming forward to serve the community, I am hoping that the teachers will follow suit and respond to the growing awareness of community service and civic consciousness by offering themselves to guide school children across the road, instead of expecting the Government to spend money on providing these patrols. I look forward to seeing some positive action taken by the teachers in this direction.”
“If the Member for Bukit Merah wants to be precise, he has got a point there. I agree that the correct interpretation of it is that they are not prisoners but just people under detention.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I must explain that the provision here is not for the supply of rations to prisoners but the supply of rations to persons who are being detained by the police pending investigation. I assure the Member for Bukit Merah that the rations for people held pending investigation and prisoners are prescribed by medical as well as nutritional experts.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I remember in the debate which took place a few days ago on the supplementary budget, the Back-benchers were accusing the Ministry of Finance of not anticipating expenditure that could be incurred and of not being exact in their forecast. Now in this respect here, we have been able to work out the expenditure carefully and we find that we require an increase of $55,000 for passages and rail fares, because there is going to be an increase in the number of officers and men of the Gurkha Contingent who will be going on leave this year. Therefore, the provision is for the officers, men and families of the Gurkha Contingent to take their leave that is due to them.”
“Sir, if the Member for Aljunied is in charge of finance, he will see the logic of what my predecessor has said. It is a question of priority, whether we should decorate the buildings at the expense of decorating the streets and the roads. Therefore, with the limited funds at our disposal, it is up to those who are in charge to see which is more preferable, whether to decorate the buildings with lights and bunting, or to have the streets, including the fields and the roundabouts, lined with flags. Sir, as to the Member's other point. I will give instructions to my Ministry to see that the flags are properly hoisted and not at half-mast, as the Member said he saw last year. With regard to the proposal for sounding the ships' sirens, here I beg to differ from him. I do not think that in the middle of the National Day celebration the public of Singapore would like to hear howling sirens all around them, because it might remind some of us of the unhappy days through which we have come.”
“I can assure him that not only I but also the Minister for Finance will see to it that the vote of $1,300,000 will be well spent and not misused.”
“Sir, I must congratulate the Member for Aljunied on helping to bring about the opening of a new V.C, station. The Vigilante Corps first started as a voluntary organisation during the Indonesian confrontation and has done splendid work to prevent subversion. With the end of confrontation and the beginning of national service, we thought it a good idea to send our young national servicemen to fill up the Vigilante Corps. In the Vigilante Corps itself, as the spirit of civic-consciousness and service to the community is so strong, we felt that we should not dilute it by giving allowances to the new national servicemen in the Vigilante corps. However, we decided sometime last month that at least they should not be out of pocket for their transport, and now members of the Vigilante Corps are provided with a transport allowance. The idea of the Vigilante Corps is that it should be an organisation to help change the attitude that has been handed down by past generations in this country, that is, lack of civic-consciousness, community service and standard of public behaviour. We hope that by getting the young national servicemen into the Vigilante Corps and by training them in discipline and service to the community, it will be one of the means by which we can change their attitude to the community. As I have said, since the Vigilante Corps started with very ideal and unselfish motives, we do not like to dilute it by making it a mercenary concern, Now for the information of the Member for Mountbatten, there are 110 V.C, posts so far in the Republic, and the total number of national servicemen undergoing training for part-time service in the Vigilante Corps is 2,396.”
“No, not "Bat-man". This again is a condition and term of service of the police department and the Salaries Commission has put up its Report. So I cannot promise the Member that I will deprive police officers of this condition of service unless and until I have thoroughly gone into it. There must be a very good reason why a batman is attached to a gazetted officer, because he does relieve the latter from doing certain things which will otherwise prevent him from carrying out his work more efficiently. It is not always an easy thing for us to change the conditions and terms of service, especially when it means a loss of certain privileges to the officer concerned, and I would prefer not to make any promise. I will look into the whole question thoroughly before we make any move in that direction.”
“The Member for Aljunied is quite correct in saying that this is a legacy from colonial times. Actually what the "Malay, Indian and Chinese Contingent" connotes is that it is a different contingent from what was known as the Sikh Contingent before the war. The Sikh Contingent was disbanded and in its place we have the Gurkha Contingent. A better name, of course, would be "Contingent other than the Gurkha Contingent". Anyway, I would like to thank the Member for Aljunied for his suggestion and I will see to it that next year another name will be substituted. As for the Member for Choa Chu Kang, I would like to inform him that it is not "footman" but "batman".”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am really glad that at least one Member of the House has noticed the improvement in the police/public relationship, the result of a very prolonged campaign carried out not only by Members of Parliament but by leaders of this Government to promote better police/public relationship. Also, he has noticed the good response from members of the public. To reply to the Member for Anson, I think I must dispel the false belief that crime is increasing. Statistics compiled by my Department of seizable offences have shown that they have riot increased, and although we are pretty near the end of the year when the New Year is about to be on us -it is usual at this season to expect an increase in crime -the figure for November shows that it has dropped. The number of what is known as seizable offences has dropped from an average of 1,250 per month to 1,143, and this is largely due to the police taking preventive measures. 5.15 p.m. The battle against crime can be waged more successfully if the public are alert to their responsibilities and adopt a certain standard of public behaviour. I can assure the Member for Anson that it is always in the minds of officers and men of the police force to keep the crime rate down to the minimum. It does not necessarily mean that, by having more officers and men, the crime rate can be kept down. In this respect, I think the attitude of the public is the most important factor and if they respond, and continue to respond as they are doing now, by giving more information and co-operation to the police, I am sure we will be able to keep down the crime rate. It is unfortunate that under the Budget heads we have names which connote racial and communal origins.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the hon. Member for Aljunied has misunderstood completely the powers of the Registrar of Societies and also misunderstood the passage which he has quoted. There are provisions in the Societies Act for the purpose of allowing the Registrar of Societies to look into the accounts of registered societies. Vide section 19 (1) of the Societies Act, a member of the society can file a complaint in a District or Magistrate's Court when an officer or member of that society has unlawfully withheld any money of the society or wilfully applied such money for purposes other than those expressed or directed in the rules of the society. Therefore, there is enough provision under the Societies Act for the Registrar of Societies to see that the money of the society is legally used. In the passage which he has quoted from Hansard, I did use the words "alleged misuse". It is a matter of opinion of members of the society whether the money of the society is being misused or not. There is always a difference of opinion, and if the majority of the members voted for the use of the money in a certain way, then the Registrar of Societies would rather not interfere in an internal squabble if the money is used legally and within the confines of the objectives of the society.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it was decided on the 6th of this month that those civil servants who have been called up to do full-time national service would be paid the difference between the salary that they are getting as national servicemen and the salary which they should get as civil servants. Therefore, the problem does not now arise.”
“Each course lasts from between 18 and 25 days, and since August we have had four courses averaging 40 to 50 students each. They are from the Vigilante Corps instructors, Organising Secretaries of the People's Association, and I think the last batch were teachers from various schools in Singapore.”
“- has visited the school, and if he is as curious as he appears to be, surely he would have gone through the hundreds of pamphlets showing the activities of the Outward Bound School - such as canoeing, hiking, camping, rowing, physical exercises, swimming, the whole lot. These activities are actually planned to instil confidence into the students taking these courses, to let them prove to themselves that they are capable of certain standards of performance which are considered to be the norm for the type of physique that they have. I do not think it is possible for me to give a detailed description of the syllabus of the course that is now being drawn up, since the warden, chief instructors, and instructors have only just arrived. But if the hon. Member for Punggol would really like to go into it. I will supply him with all the literature available, including a description of the courses, the whys and the wherefores of the syllabus, the hours they spend outdoors, indoors, camping, etc. 3.15 p.m.”