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
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“Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. SUPPLY BILL Order for Second and Third Readings read. 2.37 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The purpose of this Bill is to provide statutory authority in accordance with clause 2 of Article 85 and clause 2 of Article 87 of the Constitution of Singapore for certain additional provisions for expenditure in excess of the provisions for expenditure authorised by the Supply Ordinance. These additional sums which were scheduled as Supplementary Estimates have received the approval of Parliament. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Third Reading”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolution." Question put, and agreed to. Resolution accordingly agreed to. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL Debate on Second Reading resumed. 7.20 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported --- That the sum of $276,712,224 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Development Estimates contained in Paper Cmd. 26 of 1965.”
“I think the Member for River Valley in his earlier statement did say that the marking of frontages for parking does affect the business of the shops. I do not know whether he has thought carefully over this matter, because if we were to reserve the frontages solely for the use of the shops, then the customers would have no place to park their cars and the shops would be more affected that way; whereas if it were left to the members of the public to make use of these parking places, then it would be easier for the customers or intending customers to park their cars, so that on the whole the shops would not suffer. In fact, I would like to inform the House that when the parking scheme was first introduced there was an outcry from the shopkeepers that this would result in loss of business. But after a trial for several months in certain areas, it was found that far from affecting the business, it did help them, because it meant a greater flow of cars which are parked along that area. If the area is left free for parking and no charge is made, there are quite a lot of people who will just leave their cars there, with the result that shoppers will have no chance at all to park their cars there. As regards his question whether special consideration would be given to shops whose frontages are marked for parking lots, I think there is in operation a scheme whereby consideration is given for special types of businesses. For instance, the doctors. Where some doctors' premises have their frontages marked for parking lots, then a parking lot is reserved for them, so that in cases of emergency, their patients can come to them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am a bit confused by the Member for River Valley. I am just wondering whether he wants the parking lots in front of businesses or shops to be reserved free for the shops concerned, or whether he wants them to pay a certain sum of money for the sole right of using the parking place in front of their shops, or whether he wants parking lots abolished. If he can clarify this, Sir, perhaps I may be able to answer him.”
“Anyway, we have already marked out an area and it is our objective to see that as far as possible all offensive trades or trades which add to our traffic problem would be set aside in a different area.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it would be ideal if we could segregate certain trades, that is, divide the island of Singapore into sections where offensive trades can be carried on on one side, and certain other trades can be carried on on the other side. But we all know that town planning is something new. It is only during the last few years that great emphasis has been placed on it. Even up till today quite a lot of the sociological problems involved in town planning have not been solved. We are all aware of the problems created by the movement of large log-carrying lorries in the city areas. But, unfortunately, this is a legacy which we have inherited since early times. An estimate has been made that there are altogether about 100 sawmills in Singapore. If we are to resettle them in one area, so that the transportation of the logs and planks would not interfere with the traffic or break up the roads, then we will require an area of 400 acres or so. Anyway, to answer the question put by the Member for Kampong Kembangan. I am glad to inform him that this problem has been considered by the Economic Development Board, and we have marked out an area in Kranji where land reclamation is taking place, so that, if possible, all the sawmills in Singapore could be resettled there. But I must warn the Member for Kampong Kembangan that this is a problem which cannot be solved in one day, or even one year or two years, because, as he knows, resettlement is quite a difficult problem. The resettlement of people ordinarily is quite a difficult problem, and the resettlement of trade and industry is more difficult than that of resettling people.”
“Other amendments are either consequential, necessitated by separation from Malaysia, and they take account of Singapore's position as a sovereign independent Republic, or are matters of terminology or procedure to improve the administration of the law. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. -[Mr Lim Kim San]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.19 p.m.”
“The amendment Bill will place the onus on the owner to inform the Chief Assessor of instances where rentals are increased. Such notice will also be required when renting vacant land. The proposed amendment to section 17 is to empower the Chief Assessor to increase the annual value of properties taking account of the increases in land value in the recent years, especially in those cases where the annual value bears little relationship to the price at which the property changes hands. As the Ordinance now stands, the Chief Assessor may amend the annual valuation list during the year in which it is operative where there is an inaccuracy in a material particular. However, the Ordinance does not define what constitutes an inaccuracy in a material particular. An amendment will clarify the circumstances under which the Chief Assessor may amend the existing valuation list and spell out in detail the circumstances in which the annual valuation list may be amended. As any vendor or transferer of property remains liable to tax until notice is given, provision is being made under section 16 that he should give notice of transfer instead of the purchaser as provided for at present. Under the existing Ordinance, the maximum limit for fines imposed for failure to give notice of transfer of property is raised from $500 to $5,000. The present limit is considered inadequate to cover certain cases; for example where the transfer of property with a low annual value is not notified over a long period and a permanent savings from additional tax may well exceed $500.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Bill now before Parliament envisages two major changes of substance to the existing Property Tax Ordinance. Section 2 of the Ordinance defines "annual value" and gives the Chief Assessor the option of adopting as an annual value a sum equal to five per cent of the capital value of the property in certain circumstances. But in the operation of the Ordinance, it has been found that the provision is not adequate to cover all cases. Under the existing law, the option applies where buildings are erected on land and also where the land is vacant. There has been doubt as to whether the option applies while buildings are in the course of construction and some litigation has already resulted from this doubt. The amendment will make it clear beyond doubt that the Chief Assessor may adopt an annual value of five per cent of the capital value of any property whether vacant land, land with buildings erected thereon, or land with buildings being erected thereon. The Bill also clarifies the power of the Chief Assessor in respect of land appurtenant to any house or other building in excess of the quantity fixed by the Controller so that five per cent of the capital value may be adopted as the annual value of such excess land. There is no definition of "building" in the Ordinance at the present time, and one of the amendments made by clause 2 is the inclusion of a definition. This, apart from its usefulness in regard to buildings and structures generally, specifically provides for the inclusion of items like underground and overground tanks and oil refineries. Section 16 of the existing Ordinance does not require property-owners to give notice to the Chief Assessor when rentals are increased.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported --- That the sum of $472,554,830 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Estimates contained in Paper Cmd. 25 of 1965. Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the House doth agree with the Committee on the said resolution." Question put, and agreed to. Resolution accordingly agreed to. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That the House do now adjourn." - [Mr Lim Kim San]. Adjourned accordingly at Twenty-five minutes past Seven o'clock p.m. SINGAPORE DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR 1966 (PAPER CMD. 26 OF 1965) IN COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY (30TH DECEMBER, 1965)(Cols 757-758)”
“Yes. Question, "That the sums stated for those heads which appear in the last column of the abstract of estimated expenditure on pages 53 and 54 of Paper Cmd. 25 of 1965 stand part of the Estimates," put, and agreed to. Question, "That the sum of $472,554,830 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the Estimates contained in Paper Cmd. 25 of 1965," put, and agreed to. Resolution to be reported. Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think Members of this House should be grateful to the Member for Delta who, before the Government could take up the suggestion of having a Women's Research Institute on the problems facing women, has done some research on her own. I, for one, have not been able to put myself in the position of the fair sex and think of the problems facing female parking attendants. Now, we all know, of course, Mr Speaker, that there is a difference in the problems facing men and women; for instance, men have got woman problem, and women have got man problem! So the only thing that I am wondering about is whether it would be appropriate for men to solve women's problems, or for women to solve men's problems, because, as the saying goes among women, "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach." But we all know that all gastronomic delights are best prepared by men! In the same way, women who are inclined to solve the problems of dressing in order, shall we say, to solve their man problem have got to go to men dressmakers, too. Mr Speaker, Sir, as regards the problem of female car-parking attendants, the problem that was posed by the Member for Delta has never occurred to me, and that is the difficulty of female attendants getting certain facilities in certain places where they are posted. I am sure that my colleague, the Minister for National Development, who is a great admirer and respecter of the female sex, will certainly look into this problem and see that the appropriate facilities are there, or failing that, that women will not be posted to places where there is a shortage of such facilities. 6.30 p.m.”
“Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.08 p.m.”
“Clause 15 repeals the provisions of section 54 which provided for the entering into of agreements for the purpose of exchanging information with other countries. This power is necessarily inherent in the Minister without the need for formal agreements. For the purpose of reverting to the pre-Malaysian rates of duty, new Sixth and Seventh Schedules are added to the Ordinance by clause 16. The Sixth Schedule contains the rates applicable in respect of deaths before 1st January, 1965, and from 9th November, 1955, when the rates of duty were increased, and after Singapore Day, whilst the Seventh Schedule contains the Malaysian rates applicable to the period 1st January to 8th August, 1965. The purpose of the Estate Duties (Apportionment and Miscellaneous Provisions) was to provide for apportionment of duty in the case of persons dying prior to 1st April, 1946, domiciled or leaving assets in the Straits Settlements and in respect of which some duty remained unpaid after the dissolution of the Straits Settlements. Whilst theoretically a case could still arise at the present time where death occurred prior to 1st April, 1946, in respect of which duty has not been paid, the likelihood is somewhat remote and hence there are amendments in clause 18 for its repeal. The remainder of the amendments are of a minor and consequential nature. They are necessitated either to accord with the independent status of Singapore-clauses 2 (a) , 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13 and 17 - or consequential upon amendments already described in clauses 11 and 18. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Lim Kim San].”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." In April 1965, the Malaysian Government passed an Act to vary the laws in force in Malaysia relating to estate duty when Singapore was in Malaysia. That Act provided for harmonisation of the law with Malayan legislation. It further transferred to Federal Authority functions under the Singapore Estate Duty Ordinance and made other amendments consequent upon the passing of the Malaysia Act. It is now necessary to amend the Estate Duty Ordinance to accord with the independent status of Singapore, to revert to the rates of estate duty that were applicable to the amending legislation of Malaysia, and to make minor and consequential amendments. Clause 2 (b) amends the definition of "property" to exclude immovable property situate in Malaysia from liability to duty in Singapore, while clause 4 reverts the rates of duty payable in respect of property passing on the death of any person, dying domiciled in either Singapore or Malaysia, to the pre-Malaysian rates which become applicable except for the period January 1st to August 9th, 1965. Clause 12 re-enacts new provisions relating to circumstances in which postponement of payment of estate duty may be permitted. The existing provisions were considered to be too restrictive and are repealed by clause 10. Primarily, the object is to facilitate administration of estates and obviate undue hardships. Clause 14 repeals the provisions of section 44A relating to payment of duty into the joint account and complementary thereto. Clause 3 provides for accountability by the Commissioner by payment into the consolidated account.”
“Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. ESTATE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.00 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Stamp Ordinance was not amended when Singapore was part of Malaysia. So the majority of amendments proposed in this Bill relate to textual and terminological changes which take account of Singapore's new status as an independent sovereign Republic. References to the Colony, the Federation of Malaya, the British Commonwealth, and so on, are to be appropriately amended in keeping with Singapore's new Constitution. The opportunity has also been taken to make certain other amendments. For example, section 35 (b) of the principal Ordinance, which exempted grants or leases made by the Government or under the Foreshores Ordinance, is to be deleted, as no good reason exists for such exemption. Exemptions previously granted to the Malayan Railways under Schedule A, Article 53 (e) , and to the Co-operative Societies registered in the Federation of Malaya under section 35 are to be withdrawn, as such provisions are inappropriate in the laws of an independent Republic. Under Article 27 of Schedule A, counterparts and duplicates of instruments are liable to stamp duty, and the proposed amendment will exempt duplicates of instruments from such duty. This is particularly desirable as traders are required to retain duplicate copies of receipts issued under the Income Tax Ordinance. It was never intended that duty should be imposed on duplicate copies required for the purposes of the Income Tax Ordinance. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Lim Kim San].”
“It is a question of grammar. I think "it" will be appropriate. Yes, "wherever it appears".”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The main purpose of the Bill is to provide textual changes and changes of terminology necessitated by the separation of Singapore from Malaysia and its new status as an independent sovereign Republic. The only amendment of substance relates to section 8 of the principal Ordinance by the addition of a new subsection to permit the Commissioner to waive the assessment and collection of duty under the Ordinance where such duty does not exceed $5. As the Ordinance now stands, the Commissioner is obliged to levy duty even for trivial amounts and this is administratively uneconomic. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Lim Kim San]. Bill considered in Committee. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 2.49 p.m. Clauses 1 to 5 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 6 - The Chairman: Mr Minister, if you look at line 20 - clause 6 (b) : `by deleting the word "Crown" wherever they appear...', I take it that there is a clerical error - "wherever they appear" should read "wherever it appears".”
“So this Bill will provide the necessary legal provision to regularise these cases in accordance with the intention of the law. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Lim Kim San]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. CORPORATION DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 2.46 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." This Bill seeks to amend the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Ordinance (Chapter 61), under which every Government officer restricted to a monogamous marriage, except those who joined the service on or after 2nd March, 1961, was required to contribute towards a pension for his widow and orphans. Through an amendment to the Ordinance, such officers, where already contributing, were allowed an option to continue to contribute; to stop contributing and preserve the rights that had accrued to them; or to stop contributing and be paid an actuarily calculated sum. The law further provided for a period of six months within which these options were required to be exercised, commencing 1st April, 1965. It followed that bachelors, who contracted monogamous marriages prior to 1st April, 1965, were accorded these options as they had the status of contributors before that date. The law did not provide, however, for the cases of bachelors, who joined the service before 2nd March, 1961, the date prescribed in the Women's Charter for marriages thereafter to be monogamous, if they contracted marriage after 1st April, 1965. There is no provision for such officers to be enabled to choose to continue to contribute or to be excluded from contributing to their widows' and orphans' pension, and this Bill seeks to repair that omission and make legal provision for them to elect to become, or to continue as, contributors within one month of contracting monogamous marriages. Administrative action has already been taken to call upon the officers affected to opt whether to become contributors within a month of marriage.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, can I clarify a little bit on what my colleague, the Minister for Labour, has said and also with regard to the query raised by the Member for Kampong Kapor? The hon. Member spoke about members of the Admiralty Police who have no trade union. I think that is a disciplined force, Mr Speaker, Sir, and, for obvious reasons, it is not desirable that a trade union should represent a disciplined force. Secondly, if there is any exploitation of workers in the Admiralty or in the Naval Base which has come to his knowledge. I am sure if it is brought to the notice of the Singapore Government, we will be able to make very strong representations indeed to see that our own citizens are not being exploited though they may be engaged by a foreign power in our own territory. I am sure anything which is not satisfactory there can be rectified by us, if the hon. Member will only bring this up.”
“Yes. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That notwithstanding Standing Orders, the House do adjourn after its deliberations on Head 1001.”
“If there are such instances, them I would say that it would be best if he would bring it to the notice of my colleague, the Minister for Law and National Development, and I think the Minister would look into them and study every application whether the owners of these illegal structures are trying to conform to the building by-laws, and the regulations of this country would then he attended to as quickly as possible.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I only replied to the Member for Farrer Park because I know something about it. But if he really wants an investigation into that particular case, then he has got to raise it with my colleague, the Minister for National Development. I do not know whether the Member for Punggol really wants the Government to pull down illegal structures or to legalise them, because, as you have clearly pointed out. Mr Speaker, Sir, they have got to be pulled down within three years of discovery. Therefore, if we are to recognise that they exist, then we have got to take action within these three years. As it is now, we are taking quite a realistic view of the situation, because during the last ten years things have got a little bit out of control, and, therefore, we thought that if we were really to smack down all the illegal houses that are in existence without providing alternative accommodation, then the people of Singapore would really suffer great hardships. As it is, we have been able to clear quite a lot of illegal structures in slum areas and rehouse these people in new houses built by the Housing and Development Board. I do not know whether the Member can bring up specific instances. Here again, I think he will have to raise it with my colleague, the Minister for Law and National Development - whether he is able to bring up specific instances where there has been undue delay in approving or considering the plans submitted by owners of these houses in order to regularise the position of their buildings.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, to take the request from the Member for Punggol first. He is suggesting that I ignore completely the building by-laws and approve illegal structures by giving them numbers. I think, if I were to do that, then architects would be out of job and the whole of Singapore would be a slum area. If the residents are really keen to see that their houses get numbers, there is a way by which they can do that, and that is to send the plans of their houses to the Chief Building Surveyor and to see that the houses that they are building or they are staying in conform to the building by-laws. With regard to the Member for Farrer Park, the matter he has raised does not rightly involve me. All I can say is that, as far as the Inland Revenue Department is concerned, I should congratulate them on collecting assessments from two persons on the same number. They are not wrong there. Probably the numbering is wrong. But there are two buildings there. Therefore, two people should pay assessment, and correctly so. If I may, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to answer the point which he has brought up, and that is, why is it that there should be different conditions for two buildings which are on the same plot? What comes to my mind is this. Though the owner may have sent in 13, 14 or 15 sketch plans, none of them conformed to the building by-laws, and it is out of consideration for the owner, I think, that the Chief Building Surveyor allows him to retain the building for a year, during which he hopes that the owner would comply with the building by-laws requirements. As for the other case, I think the very first time the sketch plans of the building were sent in, probably they conformed to the building by-laws. That is why there are different conditions laid down.”
“I am interested in hearing what he has to say.”
“I just want to know whether the hon. Member is referring to numbering of houses or re-numbering of houses.”
“On a point of clarification, Sir. The Chairman: Yes, Mr Minister.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it is always the policy of Government to temper justice with mercy. I am glad that the Member for Kampong Kapor has brought up this complaint, because though I have a radio licence and a T.V. licence, I have never taken trouble to find out whether they are written in four languages or one, and I will make it a point to investigate the complaint that he has made with regard to fines for not changing the address. I quite agree with him that probably there is not enough publicity given to this matter, and I will see to it that the Ministry of Culture give enough publicity to this so that there will be no misunderstanding of the rules and regulations which govern the issue of licences. That is all I can say for the moment, Mr Speaker.”
“Therefore, more than half of them are being housed. Our duty is to see that every section of the population does get the same treatment. About 50 per cent, taking an average, of Division IV employees are being housed; they are being given quarters which are heavily subsidised, much more than those belonging to the Housing and Development Board. While on this matter, Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to emphasise the point brought up by the Member for Delta a few days ago, and that is that Government is not making any money at all in providing the public with Housing Board houses. The rental charged, as you know, Mr Speaker, Sir, is $20 for a one-room unit, $40 for a two-room unit, and $60 for a three-room unit, excluding service charges. Now, this is insufficient to amortise the capital that is put in as well as the maintenance of these houses, and every year Government is out of pocket. So for those people who are in Housing Board houses, there is already an element of subsidy. 4.15 p.m. For Government to adopt the suggestion made by the Member for Anson just now, that if there are insufficient Government quarters for Division IV employees, then they should be given Housing Board quarters, there is nothing now at this very moment to prevent Division IV employees from applying for Housing Board quarters so long as they pay the same rents that are paid by the public. For his information, if he will look up the Development Estimates, there is a provision of $1.5 million next year for the building of some more quarters for Division IV employees. So all in all, compared with the other sections of the population, Division IV employees are well catered for in the matter of housing.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know whether the translation was a literal translation of what the Member for Anson said, when I heard over the loudspeaker the term "S.I.T. flats". There is now no such body as the "S.I.T." It is defunct, dead. In its place there is the Housing and Development Board. I think I should tell the House that it is the policy of the Government not only to house civil servants whose salaries are in the lower income brackets, but it is also the intention of the Government to house as many of the underprivileged citizens in the lower income group of the whole of Singapore. That is the reason why we have embarked on such a large housing programme. If I understand the Member for Anson correctly, what he is asking for is that all Division IV employees should be housed. Mr Speaker, Sir, in one of the Sessions of the Assembly sometime ago, I think a question was asked by the Member for Moulmein and the answer given to her was that about 79 per cent of the P.W.D. staff and 33 per cent of the staff in the Health Department are provided with quarters. Now, this percentage is much more than the number of people, in the lower income group in Singapore, who are provided with houses. In spite of the completion of 51,000 units of housing during the last five years by the Government, and an additional 12,000 units this year, about only 26 per cent of the people of Singapore are housed. Therefore, compared with the general population, the group of employees who are in the lower income bracket are better treated in the matter of housing than the rest of the population of Singapore. Actually there are about 18,000 Division IV employees in the civil service and about 9,500 Division IV quarters, institutional or otherwise.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Singapore is a member of the Colombo Plan Technical Co-operation Scheme and, as such, is both a recipient and a donor country. During the last few years we have been spending annually a sum of $160,000 to enable deserving candidates from surrounding countries, especially countries like Cambodia, Thailand and Ceylon, to receive special training in Singapore, particularly with regard to port administration and housing. We also allow these candidates to join our institutes of higher learning, like the University of Singapore and Nanyang University. Now, all member countries of the Colombo Plan, including Sabah and Sarawak, are eligible to benefit from Singapore as a donor country, but unfortunately both Sabah and Sarawak will have to compete on equal terms for allocations made by Singapore. I think it was our desire, and still is our desire, to give special treatment to Sabah and Sarawak. Therefore, in 1961 - July, I think - our Minister for Education announced on behalf of the Government of Singapore at the 8th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (Malaya/Borneo Group) which was held in Singapore in 1961 that, as part of Singapore's concrete gesture to assist the advancement of the Borneo territories, Singapore is placing a special vote in order to give candidates from Sabah and Sarawak special concession so as to enable them to take advantage of the special training which we can offer here. Though we are now separated from Malaysia, it is still our intention to help those two sister States, and therefore a sum of $100,000 has been entered in the vote for next year so as to enable students from Sabah and Sarawak to come here and take advantage of the training facilities that we have.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made progress on the Main Estimates for 1966, and ask leave to sit again on Tuesday, 28th of December.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That notwithstanding Standing Orders, the House do adjourn on the conclusion of its deliberations on Head 0601.”
“Yes. Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House, 6.57 p.m. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] BUSINESS MOTION”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I can assure Honourable Members of this House that I will see to it that the money is very carefully spent.”
“I would suggest to the trade unionists among our Members here that this is not the time to look backwards but to look forwards and ensure that there is discipline on the Floor, discipline among the rank and file, and that the efficiency of our workers is such that our entrepreneurs will be able to compete, and compete successfully, in markets overseas. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That the Assembly approves the financial policy of the Government for the year 1966. SINGAPORE ARMY BILL Order for Second Reading read. 6.14 p.m.”
“' This, Mr Speaker, shows that all outstanding issues have been resolved, and there is an agreement that any fresh claims would be looked into after disciplinary and grievance procedures and job evaluation exercise have taken place. Mr Speaker, while the Member for Bras Basah agrees with the Government's industrialisation programme, I think he does not look with favour upon what he calls "huge profits made by entrepreneurs". I am sure he is jumping the gun here, because we are just starting and I am not aware of any pioneer industries that have made huge profits. The Member went on to the second stage of expansion. We always take one step at a time, and this is where I think the trade unionists have a great responsibility, and that is, "Do not look optimistic about the profits that are to be made by manufacturers." The Member for Bras Basah has said that I am being optimistic in my estimate of markets abroad. I say that he is being optimistic in his estimate of profits to be made by manufacturers, because, as far as I know, none of the pioneer industries have paid dividends yet. As regards his fear that if and when these companies do pay dividends the profits will be remitted overseas, I think my predecessor has already informed this House last year that more than half of the investments in the pioneer industries are by local people; so there is no likelihood of remittances being sent abroad. Mr Speaker, Sir, as I said just now, the trade unionists have a great responsibility to shoulder in that if we are to secure overseas markets, whether we are guaranteed a certain percentage or not, the quality and price of our products must be competitive. And this is where our productivity comes in.”
“Mention was made that delay in coming to an agreement on any wage claim is always the fault of the Government. It is not always so, because trade unions are known also to adopt delaying tactics. I would like to inform the House that as recently as about a fortnight ago, the Arbitration Court handed down an award to the postal workers, and it was back-dated to about nine or ten months from the day of the award. Therefore, as I have said, we do not want to encourage the payment of back-pay, but, at the same time, if we find that there is justification for it, the Government will always be reasonable. Now I come to the Member for Bras Basah who has accused the Government of not honouring its agreement with the daily-rated workers. I do not know whether it is due to a lapse of memory on his part, or because it is just to embarrass the Government that he has made his accusation, because I have here before me an extract of the record of the minutes of the meeting held on 27th July, 1965, with the Prime Minister, at which representatives of the Public Daily-Rated Unions Federation and the N.T.U.C. were present. I quote: `Claims for fresh revision of wages should be regarded as outside the scope of the Agreement of 1961 and the Union would be at liberty to submit fresh claims on revision of wages for negotiation after settlement of the other two issues: disciplinary and grievance procedures and job evaluation exercise of ten outstanding grades involving about 300 odd employees. In the event of failure to reach agreement in the negotiation, consideration would be given for the claims to be referred to arbitration.”
“I do not know whether Members are aware that at least during tile last few months, the Economic Development Board have been assisting exporters in financing the purchase of raw materials for goods ordered and to he exported abroad. The suggestion made is a good one, and we are now studying the various schemes in different countries to see in what way they can he adopted here. I am also glad, Mr Speaker, Sir, that in putting forward this suggestion, the Member for Punggol is also aware of the abuses that may arise. Also there are certain factors existing among our neighbouring countries which make it quite difficult for us to implement some export credit or insurance scheme. I am referring to the instability of the currency in some of our neighbouring countries, but whatever it is, I have already asked for an exhaustive examination into all the problems which must be resolved before our export trade can be substantially increased. Now, what is uppermost in the minds of the trade union Members on our Back Benches is the problem of back-pay. I would like to remind Members that I have already gone into the reasons why it is not possible for Government to encourage back-pay. My friend the Member for Bras Basah has accused me of being irrelevant for quoting Benham. But I am wondering whether he will agree if I, as the Minister for Finance, back-date revenue increases and ask him for back-payment on his income tax, because, Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already made it clear that no government can carry out its work properly if, at any time, it can be presented with a bill for back-pay. It is not the intention of the Government to penalise the workers if delay in coming to an agreement is the responsibility of the Government.”
“He called all the foxes together and told them that a tail was not a nice thing to have, that it was a dangerous thing to have, that it was difficult to keep it clean and that therefore all of them should have their tails off. A number of them were persuaded, but up rose a bright young fox who said, "Will you, Sir, turn round and let us see?" That was the end of the scheme. And so it is with the Barisan. Their leader, having lost his seat in the Assembly, is now persuading the other Members that the Assembly is not a useful adjunct to the democratic way of government. Whether there will be a body as intelligent as the bright young fox among the Barisan, only time will tell, and, Mr Speaker, Sir, fortunately I am saved the embarrassment of a monologue on the Budget by our Back-benchers who have bravely stepped into the breach. Mr Speaker, Sir, I am wondering whether it would be possible for you to divide the emoluments that are due to the Members opposite, who have disgracefully absented themselves here, among the Government Back-benchers for carrying out their work. Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it is time for me now to summarise some of the opinions and views expressed by the Back-benchers on the Government side. I am glad that they have shown a great deal of interest and have taken time to look through the Budget. The absence of the Barisan Sosialis here does not make any difference at all to the Budget debate because, from past experience, nothing constructive has ever come from their side: they are not constructive people, they are destructive, and the opinions that they have offered here are most sterile. First, I will take up the suggestion of the Member for Punggol with regard to export credit.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I was enjoying myself listening to the Back-benchers until the Member for Bras Basah stood up and woke me up from my pleasant dream. Mr Speaker, Sir, Budget time is Opposition time, and normally a responsible Opposition should take the opportunity to examine critically the fiscal policies of the Government for the corning year, and where they defer, to make their opinions known, and, if possible, help to formulate policies which will lead us to prosperity. But today and during the last few days, we see empty benches in front of us. And here I entirely agree with the Member for Delta that the people of Singapore will not and should not forget the dereliction of duty shown by a most irresponsible lot of Members of the opposite Bench. Many reasons have been given as to why the Opposition have chickened from the open debate. One reason is probably that during the last few years, they have lost out in the open debate. They have clearly shown their colours; they have shown that they never had the interests of the people of Singapore at heart and that they are not loyal to this country. Their absence here during the first Parliament of an independent Singapore in which important policies are being debated is an added testimony to the fact that they have never had the interest of the people of Singapore at heart. There are some other reasons too, Mr Speaker, Sir, but I would only expand on one which reminds me the story of a fox which has lost its tail. The story goes that the fox was trapped and after a great deal of struggle, he managed to escape, but left his tail behind, as a result of which other foxes made fun of him. One day he had a bright idea.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have made clear my stand on backdating a few days ago, and it has not changed since then. MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR AIDED SCHOOL TEACHERS 2. Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Education whether teachers in the aided schools are not provided with similar medical facilities as their counterparts in the Government Service, although they perform identical duties, and why.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member for Bras Basah should be aware that Government always seek the views of those who are interested. Views from the teachers have already been submitted, if I am not mistaken, to the Malaysian Salaries Commission. And I can assure him that we will seek further views if they are required.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a Salaries Commission was actually set up when we were part of Malaysia. But after the separation, we were informed that our representative is no longer required to sit on it. Therefore, it will take us some time to get members to serve on the Salaries Commission. I am sure the Member for Bras Basah would not like any Tom, Dick and Harry to serve on the Commission. We want to see justice done and, therefore, it will take some time before we set up a Commission. Anyway, action is proceeding.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that the house doth agree with the Committee of Supply on the said resolutions. Question put, and agreed to. Resolutions accordingly agreed to. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That this house do now adjourn." - [Mr Lim Kim San]. Adjourned accordingly at Seven minutes to Five o'clock p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to certain resolutions. Resolutions reported - "That the sum of $46,008,310 shall be supplied to the Government under the Heads of Expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 1965 contained in Paper Cmd. 23 of 1965." "That the sum of $6,402,073 shall be supplied to the Government under the Heads of Expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for 1965 contained in Paper Cmd. 24 of 1965."”