Ng Yeow Chong
Singapore
“Sir, there is a creche called Lee Kuo Chuan Creche which is not in Kuo Chuan Constituency as the name implies but it is actually in Mountbatten Constituency.”
“As I have said earlier, those who wish to go abroad by air or by sea are usually advised by the travel agencies to apply for a re-entry permit first before buying their tickets.”
“My point is this. Why cannot these people be informed of this requirement in one way or another? As suggested by the Member for Punggol, why not put up notices somewhere near the Woodlands Checkpoint to remind those blue identity card holders who wish to go across the Causeway to apply for a re-entry permit before leaving?”
“Sir, I would like to make a small point. I would like to ask the Minister whether he has ever thought of looking into the ages of meter readers. How many of them are between the ages of 40 and 50 years? Have they been subjected to eye examinations? This is to avoid mistakes in meter reading, as we have so often heard.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that some Special Pass holders are former permanent residents? They have lost their permanent status because they have contravened certain Immigration rules and regulations, for example, returning from Malaysia without re-entry visas.”
“Sir, I want to stress to the Minister the importance of a sufficiency of fire hydrants in all housing estates. I wonder if there are sufficient fire hydrants in all HDB estates. Encik Othman Bin Wok: Sir, in answer to the question by the Member for Mountbatten, the answer is "yes".”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 21 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 003+. (+ The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs. Teong Eng Siong, Ho Kah Leong and Lim Cheng Lock.) Sir, when the Committee of Supply discussed the Second Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970, I did raise the subject of building warehouses for the relocation of warehouses which are in acute shortage as a result of urban renewal schemes. The Minister for Finance then replied that warehouses were not the responsibility of the Jurong Town Corporation. I hope he will not say again that warehouses are not the responsibility of the Housing and Development Board. Sir, in this respect, I would like to refer to Hansard, Vol. 26, col. 158, dated 7.9.67. The Minister for Law and National Development, in his written answer to my question, said, and I quote: 'I would like to assure the Honourable Member that my Ministry has indeed been looking into various possibilities of providing more warehouse facilities both in the suburbs and near industrial areas to enable commercial houses and distributors of merchandise to relocate warehouse affected by urban renewal.' In the same Hansard, col. 159, the Minister continued: 'More investigations and feasibility studies are being undertaken by the Urban Renewal Department. Eventually, land may have to be reclaimed from the sea along Pasir Panjang to provide a warehouse zone that will be generally acceptable.' More than two years have passed, and the shortage of warehouse facilities has not been solved. In fact, it has now become more acute, as more and more areas are being decontrolled for redevelopment.”
“Is it in the Mountbatten Constituency? On that note, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $1,800,030 for Head 11 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 21 -”
“Before I withdraw my amendment, I would like to ask the Minister when this Popular Science Centre will be set up.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 11 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 201*. (*The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting.) Sir, our young people today are more inclined to the study of science than art. This is borne out by the fact that there is an increasing enrolment for the science stream at the pre-university level. It is from this pre-university level that the students branch out to specialise in chemistry, physics, engineering, medicine, etc, when they enter the universities or other institutions of higher learning. Sir, in the process of industrialisation, there is a great need for more and more science graduates and other professionals to man the essential posts in all fields. It is, therefore, important for our young people in schools as well as the general public to have a good understanding of what science can do for mankind in general, and how it can help our society in particular to achieve success in our industrialisation programme. In this respect, the Government has not lost sight of the need to build a Popular Science Centre for this purpose. It has already been explained in the Memorandum on the Development Estimates (Misc. 2 of 1970) that the building of this Popular Science Centre is to give the people of Singapore a better understanding of the role of science and technology in the Republic's industrialisation programme. Sir, in the Minister's reply to the Member for Telok Blangah earlier on, when the House discussed the Ordinary Estimates, he told us what he proposed to do and what he wished to achieve with this Popular Science Centre. Can he again elaborate on this subject for the benefit of the Members in this House?”
“m The Member for Jurong has also complained that farmers encountered difficulty in applying for a permit to construct chicken sheds or pigsties. I do not know the true nature of his complaint, but what I know is that the Primary Production Department has since 1964 assisted the farming community free of charge, and has also supplied on request standard plans for the construction of chicken sheds or laying cages. The measurements for a chicken shed are 8 feet high by 24 feet wide, and for a pigsty 8 feet high with a floor area of 100 square feet per unit. However, the farmer will have to obtain the landowner's permission to build, and also he has to indicate on the site plan the specific spot he intends to construct. These site plans can be purchased from the Land Office at $2 each. If the farmer follows the procedure of applying for a permit - and this is quite simple - I do not think he will encounter any difficulty at all. The Member for Jurong has also pointed out that although he is no longer a member of the Urban and Rural Services Committee, certain officers in charge of projects continue to send him letters for recommendation of certain projects. In this respect, if he can give me the names of these officers, I will wake them up.”
“(c) A reasonable period of time is given to the house owners to make the connections. The Member for Jurong has also complained that the stand-pipe at Gek Poh Road near Lorong Kabong was removed without reason. Sir, that stand-pipe was removed on 28th February, 1969, after notices had been given to the Member of Parliament concerned, the Citizens' Consultative Committee, and the District Secretary on 25th March, 1968, and 10th February, 1969, respectively. However, a request for its retention was made by the Citizens' Consultative Committee on 20th March, 1969 but by then this stand-pipe had already been removed. As to the question of a second stand-pipe, the Stand-pipe Removal Committee did not agree to reinstall it but agreed that a water wagon would be sent during the drought period should the need arise. The water mains that have been laid at Lorong Kabong cost $39,450, and an additional main will be laid soon, costing $31,500. Sir, there is a proposal to lay mains in the interior part of Joo Koon Road. This proposal will be submitted to the Urban and Rural Services Committee for consideration at the next meeting. Regarding the stand-pipe at the l3½ m.s. Jurong Road, due notice to remove it was given to the Member of Parliament concerned, the Secretary of the Citizens' Consultative Committee of that Constituency, and the District Secretary, Jurong West. Although a petition was received for unsealing the stand-pipe as it was serving hawkers at the 13½ m.s., the petitioners had been informed on the very day, through the District Secretary that the stand-pipe was not meant for washing market and hawker stalls, for which purpose the market owner had to provide taps and pay for the water consumed. 2.45 p.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in reply to the point raised by the Member for Kampong Kapor, in which he suggested a further increase in the income qualification for people to apply for or purchase Housing Board fiats, the present income ceiling is fixed at $500 per month for the individual or $800 for the combined family income. There is already a long list of applicants waiting to rent Housing Board flats, and any further increase in this income ceiling will only further aggravate the present situation. The income ceiling of a family for the purchase of Housing and Development Board flat has recently been raised from $1,000 to $1,200 per month. It is considered that this income ceiling is adequate at present and any further raising of the income ceiling cannot yet be justified. In answer to the Member for Delta who has made the suggestion to pay a lump sum compensation to shopkeepers affected by the clearance scheme, I wish to inform the House that the present policy relating to the clearance of shops is being reviewed and the suggestion that shopkeepers should be given a lump sum compensation in place of alternate shop premises will be taken into consideration. The Member for Jurong has complained that full consideration was not given to the removal of stand-pipes. There are certain procedures governing the removal of stand-pipes. The present procedure for the removal of stand-pipes is as follows. Before action is taken for the removal of a stand-pipe - (a) An ad hoc committee has to consider the following points: the unnumbered houses in the vicinity are given house numbers to enable the house owners to make applications for individual connections, (b) Water mains are laid, if none is available in the vicinity of the houses, for the house owners to make the connections.”
“It seems to me that they have totally no regard or consideration for people who have to suffer all the inconveniences, the most serious of which is the problem of school transfers for their children. Is there no proper coordination among the various departments of the Housing Board over the matters of rehousing and redevelopment? Sir, you will agree with me that planning for redevelopment takes some considerable time before it can be implemented. Of course, there is sufficient time for the architects in the Building Department of the Board to keep the Lettings and Resettlement Departments informed of the areas that will be affected by redevelopment schemes. The Lettings Department will not then release vacant flats in the area to the Resettlement Department for rehousing purposes. If this had been done, there would not have been the cases which I have mentioned just now. In this respect, will the Minister kindly seek an assurance from the Housing and Development Board that care will be taken not to rehouse dispossessed families in any area that is likely to be affected by redevelopment schemes? Also, can he ascertain from the Housing Board if there is any co-ordination among the various departments over the matters of rehousing and redevelopment? The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (National Development Division) (Mr Ho Cheng Choon): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I be given permission to deal with the National Development Division first and later on my Minister will deal with the Law Division?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to touch on the subject of rehousing of dispossessed families from land cleared for redevelopment purposes. Normally, all dispossessed families from clearance sites are rehoused in Housing and Development Board flats where they will settle down permanently. But there are instances where, after having stayed in these flats for some time, these people have to face clearance action for a second time because their flats are to be demolished for redevelopment as high-rise flats I will quote a few cases which have come to my knowledge. This is what I have experienced in recent months. Four blocks of the former three-storey S.I.T. flats along Old Airport Road in my constituency were affected by the redevelopment scheme. In the course of giving assistance to their rehousing problems, I discovered that a few families who had been displaced once before had to face another clearance action for a second time. In one instance, the displaced family had hardly resettled for a month at their present flat when they had to move. Another resettler was very bitter about having to be evicted again within a short space of four months. This particular resettler told me that he was rehoused from Beach Road where his property was acquired by the Government at a price far below the market value. In another case, a tenant of the Housing Board was transferred only eight months ago from his former flat which he had declined to buy over. There were also two rehousing cases which took place about a year ago. Sir, from the above cases you will be convinced that the Housing and Development Board have been very careless and irresponsible in rehousing displaced families.”
“But, for the moment, let us not deprive the universities of the cream of our youths who are so badly needed for the training of qualified personnel for our country. I would therefore urge the Minister for Defence not to implement the new policy of enlisting Higher School Certificate holders for full-time national service until they have completed their university education. 7.30 p.m.”
“What is more important is that if our supply of professionals cannot keep up with the increasing demand, we may have to turn to foreign countries for our needs. This is happening now and we certainly do not wish to see the situation worsen. I contend that the new policy of enlistment of Higher School Certificate holders is not consistent with our present policy of self-reliance and will prove to be detrimental to the economy of our country in the long run. The Minister for Defence said in his press statement that arrangements would be made for H.S.C. holders to attend academic courses during their full-time national service. He further said that there would be plans for those who have attained commissioned officers' rank, and have achieved good results in the academic courses provided by the Singapore Armed Forces during their three years of training, to be considered for a credit of one academic year in their accepted course of study. This, of course, is a very very good arrangement, but I doubt whether it is practical to implement. Sir, military training is a full-time course by itself and the trainees will find little time for study after long hours of usually strenuous physical training. Sir, probably you are aware that in some advanced countries there is a military academy which offers its graduates commissioned officers' rank as well as academic degrees, usually the Bachelor of Science degree. Until we can afford to have such a military academy, we have to be satisfied with our own system of national service. If we do have such a military academy, I am sure it needs no compulsion at all to call our youths to join the academy for their military training as well as for academic degrees.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister for Defence made a press statement on 24th January this year on the policy of enlisting our youths who have completed their Higher School Certificate education for full-time national service if they are above the age of 18 years. This is not a wise move from the socio economic and academic points of view. If this policy of enlistment is implemented, it will create a very serious gap of discontinuity between secondary and university education. Further, the pace of industrialisation and economic development of our Republic will be slowed down for lack of graduates and professionals to man the essential posts in the various fields. Sir, we must remember that only a small percentage of our youths who have completed pre-university education are accepted for admission into our institutions of higher learning. If we introduce full-time national service in between pre-university and university education and against the will of the pre-university boys who are keen on higher studies, it is likely to cause dissatisfaction among them and their parents. Moreover, after two or three years' full-time national service, our boys will find it very difficult, if not impossible, to continue their studies in the institutions of higher learning. Further, this new policy of enlistment can dampen the secondary school boys' spirit and interest in study, because they know very well that they will be called up upon the completion of their pre-university education. This new policy also appears to be incompatible with our drive for greater economic growth for which we require more and more qualified personnel in the various fields.”
“(17) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of item (3) of subhead 3002.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0403 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2127. Sir, subhead 2127 is an item calling for a sum of $ 1� million for Industrial Training. In the explanatory notes provided in the Memorandum on the Estimates, this item is explained as a subvention to an agency. There is also a reference in the Memorandum on the Development Estimates that $ 1� million is a subvention for the training of Sembawang Shipyard technical staff. I would ask the Minister whether these two items are the same. If so, what is the significance of the subsidy to be provided only for Sembawang Shipyard employees?”
“I beg leave to withdraw, Sir. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0403 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2126*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Lim Cheng Lock) Sir, with this amendment. I wish to seek clarification on the set-up of the Engineering Industries Development Agency for which a sum of $6.1 million is to be voted. Sir, the setting up of this Engineering Industries Development Agency, in fact, should have been thought of earlier, but, nevertheless, it is not too late. This, I can envisage, will certainly help our local engineering industries, which are comparatively small in scale, to expand. My questions for the Minister are as follows: (a) When and where will this Engineering Industries Development Agency be set up? (h) Is the Agency to be run as a public corporation or as a statutory body? (c) What type of engineering industries does the Agency intend to promote (d) Is the manufacture of small electric motors which are in great demand by our local factories among one of the industries the Agency intends to promote? May the Minister kindly supply this House with more details?”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $2,367,710 for Head 0402 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. Head 0403 - The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting - (1) That the sum to be allocated for Head 403 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2103.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 0402 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2012. Sir, this provision of $6,000 is a new item of expenditure - "Incidental expenses in connection with Marriage Gratuity". This House may be interested to know to whom the marriage gratuity will be paid and the reason why it is paid?”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I am not suggesting that we should abolish this new item of expenditure altogether. My suggestion is to charge this item against the original vote of "Entertainment Expenses", which is already provided. In this way we will not create the impression among the general public that we are giving favourable treatment to top civil servants.”
“The alternative, therefore, is to increase the vote to meet the additional expenditure. Perhaps the Minister for Finance would like to enlighten the House on why it is necessary to provide this new vote in the Estimates.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for head 0401 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2007 (The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting.). Sir, you will observe that there is already an item of expenditure called "Entertainment Expenses" under the grouping, "Other Charges, Annually Recurrent" in the estimates of every Ministry and, in some cases, important departments in the Ministry. This annual provision varies from $12,000 for the Prime Minister's Office to $1,800 for the Public Works Department. However, there is now a new item called "Entertainment Expenses for Permanent Secretary" to be found in the same grouping. This provision varies from $1,200 for the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture to $5,400 for the two Permanent Secretaries in the Ministry of Interior and Defence. Sir, I have the breakdown figures of these two items of entertainment expenses, but I do not intend to take up the time of the Committee of Supply unnecessarily. I believe some of us might have read a report in bold headlines in an afternoon newspaper some days ago, that it cost the Government $2 million per year in clothing and entertainment. Sir, on the one hand, we are asking our common workers to forgo their claims for fringe benefits, and, on the other hand, we are pampering the top civil servants too much - if I may be allowed to use the word "pampering". But that is not quite my point. My point is on the necessity of providing this new vote specifically for Permanent Secretaries. If indeed the Permanent Secretaries, in the course of their duty, are called upon to entertain distinguished officials from abroad, such an expenditure can be charged against the appropriate vote already provided for the Ministry.”
“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 0401 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1651. Sir, from the salary code of this post of Director of the new Industry Department, it leads me to the conclusion that this is an important department, as the name implies. It is observed that this new department will incur a total expenditure of $239,000 for the next financial year. Sir, my impression of this new department is that it will duplicate the functions of the Economic Development Division or the Government's agency, the Economic Development Board. The latter, especially, has all the credit to itself for the successful implementation of the industrial programme. Sir, my question for the Minister concerned is this - what are the purposes of the setting up of this new department? Will he amplify on this subject for the benefit of Members? Mr Lee Teck Him rose -”
“Sir, I am not asking the Question. [The following is Question No. 1: To ask the Minister for Law and National Development if he is aware that some dispossessed families are subject to clearance action for the second time after having been rehoused; if he will seek assurance from the Housing and Development Board that care will be taken not to rehouse dispossessed families in any area likely to be affected by redevelopment, and to ascertain from the Board if there is any co-ordination amongst various departments of the Board over the matters of rehousing and redevelopment.] ANNUAL BUDGET STATEMENT Order read for resumption of debate on Question [9th March, 1970], "That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1st April, 1970 to 31st March, 1971.".- [Minister for Finance]. Question again proposed. 2.33 p.m.”
“Sir, will the Minister be kind enough to inform this House of the outcome of the negotiations held in London in respect of the rights of the Neptune Orient Lines, and what appropriate steps is he contemplating to take in order to extend the services of the Neptune Orient Lines in future?”
“Sir, I would like to touch on the sum of $70 million to be voted as a Joan to the Neptune Orient Lines Ltd. Sir, it is indeed gratifying to note that since its operation last June, the Neptune Orient Lines has performed very well. However, the only setback is that it has not been accepted as a full member of the Far East Freight Conference. This being the case, its cargo ships are barred from conveying goods to and from Japan, whereas vessels of the other members of the Conference are allowed to enter Japanese ports to collect and discharge cargoes. With the advent of containerisation, it is vital for Singapore to venture into Japanese ports: otherwise she will not be able to make use of her future container ships for the Far East-Europe run. It is learnt that the reason for the refusal of Neptune Orient Lines' entry as a full member of the Conference is that its performance has not yet come up to expectations. I understand that the Neptune Orient Lines' case to extend its services to Japan has been presented to the F.E.F.C., and negotiations have taken place in London last month. Sir, it is our duty to safeguard the interests of the Neptune Orient Lines, as it involves the Government in a loan of $70 million. It is futile to possess a car without making full use of it. Likewise, having been accepted as a member of the F.E.F.C., it is considered unfair that the Neptune Orient Lines, as compared to other members, is not able to enjoy the full benefit of the rights. For instance, Japanese vessels have been permitted to carry Singapore cargoes to Europe; whereas the Neptune Orient Lines' vessels have been limited to transporting goods to and from Hong Kong only.”
“In view of the explanation given by the Minister for Finance, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 3.30 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 21 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead l01*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Madam Chan Choy Siong.) Sir, in moving this amendment, I am reminded of a report which appeared on the front page of the Straits Times on 14th February, 1970, carrying the caption "New multi-million project, `Little Japan' for Jurong". This apparently, I believe, referred to the ambitious projects now being undertaken by the Jurong Town Corporation. To meet the purpose of financing the projects, this House is now asked to approve a further loan of $5 million to be made available to the Jurong Town Corporation in addition to the $30 million already approved by the Committee of Supply in December 1968. Sir, Jurong has now become the "lifeline" of the economy of the Republic of Singapore. Further expansion of the Jurong Industrial Estate will certainly help to accelerate greater growth of the economy especially in the l970s. All of us, inside and outside this House, cannot feel unconcerned with the transformation that is taking place in Jurong. This being the case, may I ask the Minister for Finance to explain and enlighten us on the details of the development projects which involve millions of dollars? In his reply, will he also indicate to us when the projects will be completed, and, if in several phases, when the various phases will be completed? How many factory sites will be available and will these be adequate to meet the number of applications received to date? What types of industries, to be more specific, will be accommodated at the completed sites? Finally, will there be sites for relocation of warehouses which are in acute shortage at this moment as a result of urban renewal schemes.”
“Is the Minister aware of the case where two younger members of a family have been conscripted one after the other? The elder one, who has graduated from the Teachers' Training College, has been called up for full-time service. Will the Minister consider cases of this nature?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister enunicated the policy on citizenship on 21st May. 1968. It is now nearly two years and things in Singapore have improved a lot. In view of the rapid growth of the economy of Singapore, does the Government not think that it is now the opportune time to review the policy on citizenship so that more people can be productive and help to contribute to the prosperity of Singapore?”
“I have just a brief comment to make on this Bill which is now before the House for its Second Reading. The Minister has mentioned that he will co-opt people from various organisations, such as the army, the police, the Ministry of Education and the People's Association, to serve on the National Sports Promotion Board. It appears to me that colleges and universities have been omitted. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, you are well aware that in advanced countries college and university students play a very prominent part in sports activities. In fact, most of the outstanding sportsmen have come from colleges and universities. In this respect, I would urge the Minister for Social Affairs not to overlook appointing representatives from our colleges and universities. This will at least enable our college and university students to participate actively in the promotion of sports. Sir, you will agree with me that our younger generation must not only be intelligent but they must also be rugged and robust. It is, therefore, important that our college and university students must excel in all forms of sports and, in time to come, they will become outstanding sportsmen and be able to make a name for the Republic of Singapore in the world of sports. I support this Bill.”
“Sir, will the Land Office accept the valuation report by a licensed valuer or a recognised valuer if the owner presents such a report to support his claim?”
“Rag paper, as its name implies, is not a good paper. However, is the Minister aware that even up till today some police constables do not recognise this new licence? Has the police force been informed of the change?”
“May I point out a typographical error? The first word "Act" appearing in the first line of page I should have been "An". The word "An" is misprinted as "Act", Mr Speaker: Yes. 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. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 2.43 p.m. Clauses 1 to 3 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.”
“I thank the Minister for his information. I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $1,968,620 for Head 102 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.”
“It is further understood that a number of such schemes have been submitted by various interested parties and that these are now being considered by the Board. This is the information which I have got with the compliments of the Tourist Promotion Board. Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as our responsibility is concerned in respect of keeping the beaches clean, I assure the Member for Mountbatten that they will be kept clean.”
“The present contract, which will be allowed to run its full term till March 1969, essentially covers only, as I have said, the cleansing and maintenance aspects of beach improve ment in the areas referred to, which include: (a) clearing and cleansing of beaches and the beach area; (b) clearing and cleansing of parks and open spaces used for rest and recreation; (c) cutting grass, trimming trees, shrubs and hedges; (d) removal of refuse from dustbins placed on the beaches and in the islands in the Malay kampongs off Changi beach; (e) cleaning of all lavatories, bathrooms and maintaining these in a sanitary condition. Approximately half of this vote, that is, $48,500 is expected to be spent this year to reimburse the Tourist Promotion Board for the sum it has paid out to the contractor since March this year. The balance will be available for use in 1969 and it will be utilised essentially for the same purpose, that is, cleansing and maintaining these beaches. Fresh tenders will be called in March 1969 on expiry of the present contract. This is considered to be more economical and operationally more feasible than undertaking the task with departmental labour. 7.15 p.m. On the question of other developments of the beaches, such as the construction of beach resorts - as stated by the Member for Mountbatten - this responsibility will not devolve upon the Ministry of Health. It is, however, understood that there is a Facilitations Committee comprising representatives from various Government authorities under the chairmanship of the Chairman, Tourist Promotion Board, which is making recommendations to the Board on schemes for developing and improving beaches and beach resorts.”
“The responsibility to develop and improve our beaches has changed hands two times -- from the Ministry of Social Affairs to the Ministry of Law and National Development and now to the Ministry of Health. What I do not understand, Sir, is that why, during a lapse of two years, no beach resorts have been developed according to plan. Is this project considered to be of low priority as compared with other projects? Sir, I can predict that no development will take place now that the Ministry of Health is in charge of this project. Surely the Public Health Division is not expected to develop the beaches except to clean and tidy them up. Sir, I would like the Minister to give his comments on this matter. Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Mountbatten is correct in saying that the "buck" is now with the Ministry of Health. We have taken this responsibility, but solely to keep the beaches clean. As far as this subhead is concerned, it has nothing to do with building or improving beach resorts. Perhaps I may take this opportunity to give some facts to the Member for Mountbatten. They are as follows: The Tourist Promotion Board, which since last year has been charged with the responsibility for improvement of beaches, let out on contract in March this year the work of cleaning the beaches at Changi, Loyang and Pasir Ris in Singapore island, and the beaches in 12 smaller islands around Singapore. This contract is still in force and will continue until March 1969. In November, the Ministry of Health, after consultation with the Ministry of Finance, was charged with the responsibility for cleansing and maintenance of these beaches.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 102 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 904. This is a revote of $100,000 for improvement to beaches. You will recall, Sir, that when this item was discussed in this House in 1966, I urged the Government to build beach resorts and recreational amenities near the seaside for our citizens and also to attract tourists. The Minister for Social Affairs gave his assurance in this House that he proposed to start off with a pilot project at Changi beach, and if it proved to be a success, similar projects would be carried out at other beaches in the island. His statement can be found in Hansard, No. 13 of Volume 25, , dated 20th December, 1966. The same subject was again discussed on 20th December, 1967, during the debate in Committee of Supply on the Development Estimates for 1968. I was then very dissatisfied because no thing had taken place during 1967. The responsibility for improvement to beaches at that time was transferred to the Tourist Promotion Board which was under the Ministry of Law and National Development. The Minister for Law and National Development again told the House that several major as well as minor schemes to offer both simple and sophisticated seaside facilities had been prepared and the Government had accepted responsibility to assist with the infrastructure necessary to make these schemes possible. He then assured the House that 1968 would see cleaner and more attractive beaches. His statement can be found in Hansard, No. 14 of Volume 26, , dated 20th December, 1967. Mr Speaker, Sir, in the Development Estimates for 1969-70 now under discussion, you will find that this item comes under the Ministry of Health and the same amount is revoted for the third time.”
“There seems to be some confusion. The present community centre was converted from the Katong Boys' Club in 1959 before I was elected to this House. The selection of that site was not my choice. As regards the Minister's request for my assistance to look for an alternative site, I will certainly help him to do so. With that, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the names of Madam Chan Choy Siong and Mr L. P. Rodrigo - (2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 62 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 402.”
“The Minister mentioned just now that I had turned down the proposed site. But, as a matter of fact, the proposed site was turned down by the Housing and Development Board. I like the site, which is very ideal, but it was not made available by the Housing and Development Board.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 62 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 101. Sir, it is understood that the sum of $191,000 is to be provided for the construction and equipment of two standard-type community centres. One of them will be at Kallang Estate in my constituency. However, it has come to my knowledge that the request for a proposed site for this community centre has been turned down by the Housing and Development Board. Since the proposed site which was earmarked in 1965 has not been made available by the Housing and Development Board, is the question of an alternative site being looked into by the People's Association? Mr Speaker, Sir, I must also stress that there is a great need for a community centre in the Kallang Housing Estate in view of the fact that at least 40,000 people are living there. Although there is at present a community centre known as the Mount-batten Community Centre at Guillemard Road, it is situated at a remote corner of the constituency. For this reason, my constituents are unable to make full use of it. It is not conveniently located. In fact, it serves predominantly people from the Geylang area. May I expect a favourable reply from the Minister?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have a question to ask of the Minister for Defence. I notice that the Geylang Police Station has already been moved to a new building situated between an outpatient clinic and a post office at Still Road. But it is still named Geylang Police Station. Does the Minister consider it an appropriate name and, if not, will he consider changing it since it is no more in the Geylang area but is, in fact, in the Siglap Constituency? The Chairman: Mr Ng, that is all very well, but I do not know how this matter comes under the Development Estimates.”
“I do not agree with the Parliamentary Secretary when he said just now that the expansion scheme is only on paper. In fact, the expansion plan must be pushed through as we all know very well that we will face a shortage of hotel employees by the end of 1971. By that time we will have about 30 hotels requiring something like 9,500 hotel employees. Unless we push through this plan urgently, we will not be able to overcome the shortage of hotel employees. However, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Teong Eng Siong - (2) That the total sum to be allocated for Head 31 be reduced by $100.”
“I do not quite agree with the Member for Moulmein. Are we going to train the students in the swimming pool? Another point is that when we have overcome the shortage of hotel personnel, will the Government continue to run this hotel?”
“I think $1.8 million is a big sum of money. We are extravagant in going to the extent of building a teaching hotel which is really unnecessary. We have numerous hotels in Singapore which can provide on-the-job training facilities.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 31 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead101. Sir, this House was informed on 3rd December that the Hotel and Catering Training Centre would be extended to train more personnel in view of the expansion in the hotel trade in the Republic. Sir, you will agree that our hotel trade is now fast becoming an industry which earns quite sizable sums in foreign exchange for the Republic and also provides more opportunities for employment. In this respect, I have three questions to ask about the Hotel and Catering Training Centre: (1) What are the details of the expansion plans? (2) What are the built-in facilities mentioned by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour in his answer to my question for oral answer on 3rd December? (3) What are the necessary qualifications required for the various categories of trainees?”
“The Parliamentary Secretary has said that no fire 'can spread in Housing Board flats. In the last three years, two fires have broken out in Housing Board flats in the Old Kallang Airport Estate. More recently, a fire in the Bukit Ho Swee area almost threatened an adjacent block 'of flats in the Bukit Ho Swee Estate. In spite of this, I am satisfied that sufficient hydrants have been installed in the housing estates. Therefore, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 21 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 103*. * The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon. The point I wish to raise under this subhead concerns the prevention and extinguishment of fire in Housing Board flats. At the present moment, no fire. fighting equipment is installed in Housing Board flats. Sir, you are aware that all new buildings in our Republic are subject to regulations made under the Local Government Integration Ordinance, 1963. May I quote section 147 of the Local Government Buildings Regulations, 1966, which reads: 'Every new building, except residential buildings and business premises under four storeys in height and not exceeding two thousand square feet in area at first floor level, shall be provided with water supply independent of the domestic supply conveyed in pipes of steel or cast iron and with hydrants and pumps and extinguishers for the prevention and extinguishment of fire to the' satisfaction of the Chief Building Surveyor.' Sir, this being the case, may I therefore ask the Minister to clarify whether there is an oversight on the part of the Housing and Development Board to provide fire-fighting equipment in flats or blocks of flats in the interests of the tenants? Further, I wish to know whether sufficient fire hydrants are installed in all housing estates belonging to the Housing and Development Board.”