Othman bin Wok
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since 1958, the Land Office has been administering the Singapore Badminton Hall on trust for the Singapore Badminton Association. The Ministry of Social Affairs had been looking into the possibility of the Singapore Sports Council taking over the Singapore Badminton Hall.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are no plans to expand the seating capacity of the National Stadium. The present structure can accommodate 60,000 people. The development plans for Phase II of the National Stadium Complex have been abandoned. SINGAPORE BADMINTON HALL (Take-over by Singapore Sports Council) 22.”
“Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Social Affairs (a) whether the Sri Rama temple which has been existing for more than 31 years in Changi Village will be allowed to remain on the present site in view of its significant importance of being the only one of its kind in Singapore as well as in the whole of South East Asia; and (b) if so…”
“I have already mentioned previously in this House that my Ministry is setting up a coordinating committee of officials from various Ministries and departments to see what can be done for these cases. I would like to assure the hon.”
“Sir, I am not aware of this temple in Changi and I am also not aware that it is going to be pulled down, or whether it is to be preserved and thus allowed to continue its activities.”
“I have had such requests since the early sixties but on each occasion I have been unable to bring about the operation of this part of the legislation mainly because of two reasons: (i) the tremendous amount of cost that would have been involved; and (ii) it is felt that all prosecutions, being supervised by the Attorney-General, would onl…”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, this Junior Approved School will be sited at Clementi Road, next to Ngee Ann College. It will comprise two units of building. The first unit is the Junior Approved School which will replace the existing Welfare School for Boys at Keppel Road. It is the one that we have at the moment. It will consist of a two-storey building with dormitory accommodation and toilet facilities on the first floor for 80 boys using double-decker beds. The offices, stores, workroom, kitchen and dinning room facilities will be on the ground floor. We are not giving any facilities for staff quarters, but there will be a night duty room for the watchman there. 5.30 p.m. The second unit will be a remand home which will replace the present very inadequate remand facilities in the Gimson School for Boys. This remand home will be built adjacent to the approved school and will consist of a single-storey building with accommodation for 32 boys in two dormitories separated by a multi-purpose hall. If necessary, the accommodation could be increased to 64 by again using double-decker beds. There will also be four individual cells for difficult cases, and a small office with quarters attached for one residential staff. Why is it necessary to build this school? The reason is that there is a need to provide separate training facilities for young offenders below 14 years of age and also older ones between the ages of 14 and 19. Each of these two groups requires a different type of training, and the Department's efforts to rehabilitate delinquents would be seriously jeopardised if relatively young offenders were to be accommodated and trained in the same setting as the older hard-core offenders.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress and beg leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“This is a good suggestion and we will take note of it. Mr Ng Kah Ting: Since the Minister has said that it is a good suggestion and that he will take note of it, I ask that a vote be taken on this amendment which I do not intend to withdraw. Question on the amendment put, and negatived.”
“Sir, bigger water mains mean more money. At the moment, there are 4,269 fire hydrants, and we have to pay a rental of $60 per annum per hydrant.”
“As far as I know, Sir, generally the water pressure from the water main and hydrants throughout the island is adequate, although it varies from place to place. However, we are in close liaison with the P.U.B., and we will bring this matter up. Mr Sim Boon Woo: Sir, will the Minister also bring up with the P.U.B. the question of installing bigger water mains not only in Changi but also in all parts of Singapore?”
“Sir, I have said just now, in answer to the Member for Jalan Kayu that the Fire Department always reviews its fire-fighting equipment and brings it up to date to ensure that it is effective in fighting any fires in the state. Similarly I want to assure the Member for Changi of this. In regard to the fire at Changi, there is one double pillar hydrant opposite the premises that caught fire. On being tested, after the fire, it was found that the hydrant had a flow of approximately 370 gallons of water per minute, which is quite good but insufficient to deal with a fire of that intensity. In order to obtain additional supplies, a pump was set into the river about a quarter of a mile away to draw water. The R.A.F. also came to help with large water tanks from Changi Airfield. It must be understood that if a water main produces a pressure of 370 gallons per minute, any additional hydrants fed by the same main will only result in a decrease of pressure. So in order to provide more pressure, it will be necessary to provide a larger main or to lay an additional water main. I would also like to inform Members that all fire hydrants are installed by the Public Utilities Board, and they maintain the hydrants.”
“Sir, if the fire site is next door, it takes the fire engine only one second to reach it. If it is in Sembawang, it may take some time.”
“Sir, the equipment of the Fire Department is reviewed constantly to suit the conditions in our country. I will take note of the suggestion made by the Member for Jalan Kayu. Mr Teong Eng Siong(In Mandarin): Sir, can the Minister say what is the fastest time a fire engine takes to reach a fire site?”
“The Member complains that in some instances the fire engines were late in arriving at the site of the fire. It takes 45 to 60 seconds for the crew to be ready and dash off to the fire. However, the time the fire engine takes to reach the scene of the fire depends on various factors, such as the distance of the fire from the fire station, whether there is heavy or light traffic on the road, one-way routes, weather conditions and road obstructions. Even fire engines have to obey the traffic rules! However, every effort is made by the fire engine to arrive at the scene of a fire as quickly as possible. I come now to the question of giving lectures to fire-fighting teams. There are still in existence, fire-fighting teams in some villages in Singapore. Officers of the Fire Brigade do give lectures on fire fighting and fire prevention not only to kampung fire-fighting squads but also to youth organisations, schools, hospitals, factory employees, Government employees, the Armed Forces, and the Vigilante Corps. If Members of Parliament are interested, these officers can also give talks on fire prevention to them. The Department also participated in a Home Safety Exhibition sponsored by the National Safety First Council in 1969 and will also take part in another one in May this year. Any individual or organisation which requests advice on matters of this nature is given all the assistance the Fire Department can offer.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, let me deal first with the Member for Havelock and the Member for Jalan Kayu on the question of using the same old rules on fire prevention for new factories and plants. Sir, it should be noted that it is only fairly recently that we have large-scale industries, high-rise buildings, hotels and shopping complexes in Singapore. Therefore, there are no rules and regulations for these premises. It is necessary then to refer to the various building codes, fire codes and codes of practice of other countries that are industrially advanced and whose industries are heavily built up. However, I wish to emphasise that any information derived from these sources is used only as a guide. It is not strictly adhered to. Some of the by-laws of the Fire Department are out of date. Of course, they are being revised to bring them into line with accepted standards. I would also like to inform both Members that the Ministry has set up an Ad Hoc Fire Prevention Requirements Appeals Committee which hears appeals from members of the public who are aggrieved at the fire-prevention requirements of the Fire Department. We have considered quite a number of appeals. Sir, and in some cases we have allowed the appeals, as long as there is a minimum guard against fire risk for these factories. Coming to the Singapore Fire Brigade Annual Report for 1967. I regret very much that it has come out two years late. I suppose this was due to pressure of work in the Fire Brigade, but this will be remedied immediately. With regard to the query from the Member for Sembawang, I would like to assure him that from the time of receiving a fire call to the time of turn-out, it usually takes the fire-engine crew between 45 and 60 seconds to be ready to go to the fire.”
“Sir, a tell-tale clock is a special watchman's clock which consists of a clock housed in a leather sling carrying case with a key for opening the clock case, a key for winding up the clock, and twelve station keys with individual chains attached for punching the time, and one year's supply of charts with twelve-hour graduations. The use of a tell-tale clock will ensure regular patrols by the night watchman on duty and thus minimise the risk of unauthorised persons entering any premises in the Ministry at night. With a tell-tale clock, the night watchman cannot sleep or ponteng throughout the whole night when he is supposed to be on duty. Sir, I think some M.P.s also need this clock!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a tell-tale clock is a clock which tells tales!”
“There are co-operatives now in existence for farmers and fishermen. I have said that they are dormant because they do not have the personnel to run them. We are looking into this, which means that we are helping them. Anyway, we will still help them if they want to form new co-operatives.”
“Sir, I have already said that we will do our best. We are not sitting down!”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it has been found that co-operatives formed by fishermen and farmers have not been functioning as successfully as other co-operatives. Many of these co-operatives have been dormant for a number of years. Perhaps this may be due to the fact that generally the small fishermen or farmers lack capital, and this makes it difficult for them to compete with other business enterprises which have strong financial resources. Moreover, it is difficult to find suitable, capable and efficient personnel from amongst the fishermen and farmers with the necessary minimum standard of education to run co-operatives. As a result, Sir, these co-operatives experience difficulty in keeping proper records of minutes of meetings and maintenance of accounts. The individualistic attitude amongst some fishermen and farmers is also another reason for the failure of fishing and farming co-operatives. I have to mention these to the Member because it is very difficult for the Registrar to make the first move if there is no reciprocal move from the other side. However, in spite of his small staff, the Registrar will try his best to help the fishermen and farmers form new co-operatives if they wish. I can assure the Member of that.”
“Lastly, Sir, I would like to thank the Member for Geylang Serai for his confidence in the Minister in asking him to take over the responsibility of looking after the Majlis Ugama Islam. As the House knows, Sir, the Majlis is a responsible statutory body with a President appointed by the President of Singapore. It has at the moment 18 members, including the President of the Majlis. Since its inception on 1st July 1968, it has done very good work, and I do not think there is any reason at all for the Minister to take over the responsibility of looking after the Majlis.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a total of 41 scholarships were offered by the Majlis Ugama Islam last year - 21 of them at university level and 20 at Higher School Certificate level. A sum of $3l,000 was spent out of the $49,000 set aside for education by the Majlis. This year the Majlis has approved an expenditure of $58,000 from the 1969 Fitrah collections for scholarships and other purposes related to education. There is, therefore, an increase in the amount, and as such there will be an increase in the number of scholarships offered to Muslim students. The Majlis will, I am sure, welcome the Member's suggestion to increase the number of awards. It is very keen to help children of poor parents, but poverty alone is not a sufficient qualification for a scholarship. Applicants must convince the Majlis of their diligence and intelligence so that the award may not go to waste. 6.00 p.m. Usually there are more applicants for scholarships than the number of scholarships available, and some applicants are bound to be disappointed. The Member for Geylang Serai can rest assured that, other things being equal, preference will be given to the poor students. On the Pilgrimage Fund, Sir, the Majlis Ugama Islam is now considering introducing what is called the Tabong Haji Scheme, or Pilgrimage Fund Scheme. This scheme will enable Muslims who wish to make a pilgrimage to Mecca to make regular contributions of whatever sums they can afford to a fund set up by the Majlis. Once the accumulated savings are considered sufficient to enable a contributor to proceed on his pilgrimage, he will be allowed to do so, and all necessary arrangements for his departure and return will be taken care of by the Majlis.”
“However, we have managed to arrange for them to come to Singapore. We have also been able to find sponsors to meet the cost of engaging these coaches. Part of the expenses have come from the Sports Promotion Fund. Moreover, the Sports Promotion Division also gives financial grants to our teams to go abroad to compete in international tournaments, and to associations to invite foreign teams to compete in Singapore. Here again it is a very expensive business. We would like to send more teams to compete in international competitions abroad, but there is always the question of finance. We hope that our sportsmen and sportswomen will improve their standard by all these means.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I will first answer the last question from the Member for Sembawang. The National Stadium is scheduled to be completed on 1st June, 1972. This is the first phase of the National Sports Complex. The second phase will commence in 1972 with the building of two indoor stadium, nine tennis courts and one Olympic-sized swimming pool. It is an open-air pool. It is hoped to commence the third phase in 1975 with the construction of a rapid transit transportation system, a multi-storey car park, an entertainment centre, an exhibition centre, a first-class hotel and a floating restaurant. Sir, the Ministry is aware of the importance of instilling a feeling of national pride, or what the Member has said a sense of patriotism, not only in our sportsmen but also in every citizen of Singapore. The higher the achievement in sports, the more will our sportsmen be proud to represent our country. In spite of its limited staff, the Sports Promotion Division is doing all it can to promote sports in Singapore. One of the means to improve the standard of sports is by encouraging and holding international and local competitions. For example, in the annual Pesta Sukan last year, 19 countries took part and about 1,027 local and foreign athletes participated. Another way of improving standards is by arranging for foreign coaches to come to Singapore to coach our sportsmen and sportswomen. The Member has asked whether the Ministry is thinking of engaging national coaches. In the past we did engage three coaches. One was a professional football coach. He has gone back to his country now. We still have professional coaches for basket-ball and rugger. Both of them are still in Singapore. The engagement of professional coaches is a very expensive business.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, a provision for a Jurong fire station was made in the 1968 Development Estimates, as the Member for Jurong has said. But it was subsequently deleted from the 1969-70 Development Estimates because, at that time, we were thinking of the proximity of the Bukit Timah and Alexandra Fire Stations to Jurong Town. However, Sir, my Ministry is seriously reconsidering this matter and will ask the Ministry of Finance for funds to construct a fire station in Jurong. Until funds are provided, I am afraid construction cannot be proceeded with.”
“Sir, in answer to the question by the Member for Katong, I think Government's contribution is enough. As you know. Sir, besides the $12,000 annual grant given by Government to the Singapore Association for the Deaf and Dumb, the Government also pays the salary of the nine teachers for the Oral Section, five instructors and one assistant instructor for the Science Section who are attached to the School for the Deaf in Mountbatten Road. The salaries of these teachers and instructors amounted to $85,508 in 1969 and were paid by the Social Welfare Department. Therefore, we can say that the approximate annual contribution by the Ministry to the School is $100,000. The School for the Deaf at Mountbatten Road is sited on a piece of state land with an area of 40,000 square feet. Recently, the Association has applied for the alienation of a further piece of land approximately l0,000 square feet adjoining the site of the existing school in order to build a vocational centre and workshop. This project has the support of the Ministry, and the Commissioner of Lands has written to the Association saying that his office is prepared to consider recommending the alienation of this land to the Association for a 30-year lease at an annual rent of $12 per annum, subject, of course, to planning approval. So far the Association has not submitted any application to the Chief Building Surveyor for such approval. Sir, I think the Association itself can carry on looking after the education of deaf children, and there is no question of Government taking over wholly the projects of the Association. Mr Conceicao: Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment by leave, withdrawn.”
“On the point raised by the Member for Kallang, he has my assurance that whatever help is given by the National Sports Promotion Board will not be on a racial basis. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Resolved, "That the Bill be committed to a Select Committee consisting of the Speaker as Chairman and the following Members: Inche A. Rahim Bin Ishak, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Chan Chee Seng, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs, Dr Lee Chiaw Meng, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, Inche Othman Bin Wok, Minister for Social Affairs, Mr Phua Bah Lee, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications, Mr L. P. Rodrigo, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr P. Selvadurai, Member for Bukit Panjang, and Mr Sim Boon Woo, Member for Changi."-[Inche Othman Wok]. RECOVERY OF POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED PREMISES (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) BILL [changed to CONTROLLED PREMISES (SPECIAL PROVISIONS) BILL] (As reported from Select Committee) Order for Third Reading read. 5.25 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have nothing much to say except to thank Members for their support of the Bill, particularly the Member for Sembawang who has been repeating some of the points I have made in my speech. I will consider all the points that he has raised when the Bill is considered by the Select Committee. On the first point raised by the Member for Paya Lebar, whether there is any possibility of our getting first-class coaches from abroad to train our sportsmen and, if it is not possible, whether it would be possible for us to have some training films from abroad, I think this is not a difficult matter. We can look into that. On the question of sports training to be extended not only to the school-going population but also to persons outside our schools, if I am not mistaken, the Pioneer Industries Union have a sports division. Many of our industries in Jurong as well as business houses all over Singapore have got their own sports teams On the question of State players being maintained by the State, I would like to inform the Member that there are quite a number of unemployed sportsmen and sportswomen who have been absorbed into some Government departments as well as business houses through the help of the Sports Division of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The Member for Mountbatten has raised the point that members of the proposed Board do not include representatives from the colleges and universities in Singapore. He says that most of our sportsmen come from the universities and colleges. But, in fact, I am very sad to say that although this is true in other countries, it is not so in Singapore. Very few sportsmen and sportswomen come from the universities. Nevertheless, I will consider his proposal.”
“To encourage public donations and contributions to the Board, provision is made in clause 16 for the National Sports Promotion Board to be an institution of a public character so that gifts to the Board shall be exempted from income tax. It is hoped that by setting up the National Sports Promotion Board, there will be an organisation in the Republic made up of persons actively concerned with the promotion of sports and games in the various institutions and of individuals who are knowledgeable and have proven their interest in sports. It is also hoped that with the setting up of the Board, the overlapping functions of the various co-ordinating bodies in sports as found at present in Singapore will be resolved. This will be done by the modification of the objects of the Singapore Olympic Sports Council to be renamed as the Singapore Olympic Committee and concerned only with the participation of Singapore at international games, such as the SEAP Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games and the Olympic Games, and the abolition of the Singapore Sports Council, an ad hoc Government Sports Council set up by the Ministry of Social Affairs, and also the absorption of the functions of the Sports Division by the Board. May I conclude by saying that whilst sports must have the active recognition and encouragement of the Government, it should not be directly controlled and run by the Government and be just another portfolio of a Government Ministry or Department. The interest in sports, participation in it and support for it must come from the people and the private sector to a large extent. It is with this in view that the proposed National Sports Promotion Board, in motivation, organisation, objective and activity, is structured to perform. Sir, I beg to move.”
“They are: (a) to encourage, develop and promote sports for competitive and recreational purposes; (b) to co-ordinate the activities of voluntary sports organisations; (c) to organise, in consultation with national sports organisations, including the National Olympic Committee, international competitions and games; (d) to foster research and study in sports, physical education and the training of instructors; (e) to manage and maintain facilities and sports stadiums. Provision is also made in clause 5 of the Bill for the Board to receive donations and contributions, to raise funds and to make grants and contributions to any person or sports organisation on such conditions as are stipulated by the Board. The Board is also empowered to prescribe minimum standards for participating in international sports competitions and games, and other terms and requirements for the purpose of receiving aid from the Board, and to promote schemes for the improvement of sports and recreational facilities. In order that the Board should have sufficient funds for its activities, clause 6 of the Bill provides for the setting up of a National Sports Promotion Fund, which will consist of grants or loans made by Government, donations or contributions by the public, and monies accruing to the Board. To prevent monies donated, contributed or accruing to the Board from being used for other purposes, clause 7 of the Bill requires that monies of the Board shall be applied solely for making payments in connection with the performance of the Board's functions. Provision is also made in clause 11 of the Bill for the Board to employ staff and for it to set up pension schemes, gratuities or provident fund schemes for its employees.”
“It has also been found that the co-ordinating bodies of the voluntary sports organisations, such as the Singapore Olympic Sports Council, the Singapore Sports Council and the Sports Division of the Ministry of Social Affairs, have ill-defined functions which overlap in many ways and therefore have not provided the direction and impetus for the planned growth of sports in Singapore. In order that the voluntary sports bodies and other organisations concerned with sports could better achieve the aims for which sports and games are to be promoted in the Republic, Government has seen fit that a statutory body whose primary function would be the promotion of sports should be set up. In order that this statutory body should be an effective one, it is intended that membership of the Board would consist of persons who have been generally accepted in the sporting world for their proven interest and knowledge of sports, and also of representatives of the Ministry of Education, the People's Association, and the Armed Forces, since all these institutions are actively involved in sports promotion in their respective organisations, and therefore can make significant contributions to meet the objectives of the Board. The number of members on the Board is provided in clause 4 of the Bill. The functions of the Board are spelt out in clause 5 of the Bill.”
“Besides the Extracurricular Activity Centre built by the Ministry of Education and the numerous school halls and fields to cater for sports and games amongst the school children, Government, realising that since a large percentage of our urban population are residing in Housing and Development Board flats, has found that it would be logical for sports fields, swimming pools and other facilities to be sited in the housing estates themselves. Plans have therefore been made by the Housing and Development Board to construct sports stadiums and swimming pools in its large housing estates of Queenstown and Toa Payoh Housing Estate as well as its other large housing estates. But the main centre of facilities for sports and games which Government will be providing for our population is the National Sports Complex at Kallang which, besides the main open stadium to be completed in early 1972, will also have a covered stadium for indoor games and swimming pools and tennis courts to cater for all the major games in international meets. In spite of the active support for sports and games by Government and the setting up of the Sports Division of the Ministry of Social Affair in 1966 to provide assistance for voluntary sports organisations by way of getting foreign expert coaches and fund-raising, it has been found that the activities carried out by the voluntary sports bodies had been greatly handicapped by the lack of adequate finance and proper executive functionaries.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The main purpose of the Bill as found in the Explanatory Statement is to incorporate the National Sports Promotion Board. The Government has considered that the time has come for sports to be organised and co-ordinated in a more efficient way than hitherto if it is to fulfil its primary role of not only creating a physically rugged population but also promoting national consciousness and identity in our multi-racial nation. Over the past ten years since the present Government came to power, recognising the importance of sports and games as a unifying factor of our nation made up of diverse races of immigrant stock, Government has actively encouraged sports and games as part of the activities of the network of community centres spread throughout the island and of the extra-mural activities of the half-million school-going population. Other steps taken to promote sports and games have been the introduction since 1964 of the annual Pesta Sukan when sporting teams from neighbouring countries are invited to participate in the games around National Day Week; the assistance given to the participation of the Singapore contingent in international sports events such as the SEAP Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games and the Olympic Games; and in March this year the launching of the National Fitness Exercise so as to spread sports consciousness and physical well-being to a greater section of our population. In the active encouragement of sports and games, Government has not overlooked the need for increased facilities to be set up where sports and games can be carried out.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the role of the Sports Division of the Ministry of Social Affairs is to render whatever assistance that is needed by national sports bodies in promoting their particular sport. This includes assistance in obtaining coaches of repute, both locally and abroad, provision of supplementary funds and finding suitable venues for training. In February 1968, Mr Wong Peng Soon was employed by the Sports Division of my Ministry to train the most promising badminton players with a view to entering for the Thomas Cup Championship in 1969 and 1972. Although there was a request for an open trial to decide the final composition of the Thomas Cup Team, it was decided that since Mr Wong had been appointed full time specifically to train the most promising players for the Zone Finals in the Thomas Cup in 1969, and that he had been coaching the Thomas Cup Squad or the national Badminton Team for well over a year, the final composition of the team would best be left in his hands. I have no doubt that the experience gained from Singapore's participation in the last Thomas Cup matches in New Zealand will be put to good use. PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD (Complaints of low water pressure) 12. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Public Utilities Board (a) whether the Board has received any complaints by residents in Jalan Perisai, St. Joseph's Lane and Holy Innocents Lane of low water pressure in these areas; (b) whether any action has been taken to ascertain the causes; and (c) whether any remedial actions have been taken.”
“(a) The number of mothers who, between 1-1-67 to 31-12-67, requested the Social Welfare Department to make arrangements for the adoption of their children is 94 (41 boys and 53 girls). (b) The number of such children who were illegitimate is 70 (36 boys and 34 girls). The total number of such children who are legitimate is 24 (5 boys and 19 girls). The total number of abandoned children is 13 (6 boys and 7 girls). (c) The total number of such children for whom the Department successfully arranged adoption is 53 (20 boys and 33 girls). PREGNANCIES RESULTING FROM RAPE, INCEST AND UNLAWFUL CARNAL CONNECTION 3. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Health what is the number of cases coming to the attention of Government hospitals between 1st January, 1967 and the 31st December, 1967 of pregnancies resulting from the offences or alleged offences of (i) rape under section 375 of the Penal Code; (ii) incest under section 376A of the Penal Code; and (iii) unlawful carnal connection under section 128 (1) (j) of the Women's Charter.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1966 a sum of $200,000 was provided in the Development Estimates for the improvement of Jalan Besar Stadium. The improvement envisaged then included the provision of additional seating and standing tiers and covered stands to accommodate a capacity of 20,000 persons. It also included provision for increased toilet facilities, extra changing rooms and office space, the reinforcement of the stadium wooden fence for greater security, the Installation of turnstile gates at the entrances and the general improvement of the stadium in appearance. Work on this was not done in 1966 and, therefore, a similar sum was revoted in1967. In 1967, however, the Urban Renewal Department considered that renovation in the manner envisaged was inadequate if Jalan Besar is to be turned into a subsidiary sports complex to augment and complement the National Stadium at Kallang for international games. As the traffic in the area is very congested. plans for the development of Jalan Besar as a subsidiltry stadium are being held up until the State and City Planning Department completes its report of the city road network in the area. This is expected to be completed in early 1969. As the new proposal envisaged by the Urban Renewal Department for the development of Jalan Besar Stadium as a subsidiary sports complex will cost very much more than $200,000, a token vote of only $10 has been provided in the 1969-70 Development Estimates.”
“Under this system a prisoner can earn an average of $4 per week up to a maximum of $10 per week. The wages and industrial bonuses for productivity are charged as a production cost on the goods and services provided by prisoners.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the sum of $150,000 provided for in the 1969-70 Development Estimates is for the continuation of the projects planned for, but not completed in, 1968. The main projects which the prison industries are expected to carry out in 1969 are as follows: purchase of machinery for the manufacture of refuse bins, $79,500; construction of a workshop to house the wood- work industry now under temporary roofing, $40,000; and the setting up of a new footwear and leather section, $17,500. The rest of the provision is for other projects of a minor nature connected with the further development of the laundry service, metal work section, printing section, tailoring section and concrete casting section. An idea of the progress of prison industries, which commenced as a separate organisation under the Prisons Department in 1955, can be seen in the increase in the number of workshops. When they were first started, the prison industries had only six workshops. Today there are 19 workshops catering for trades ranging from laundry, woodwork, cane-work to bakery and timber seasoning. Although the revenue earned and savings made by the prison industries had increased from $278,000 in 1956 to $701,000 in 1967 - two and a half times the 1956 figure - it must be emphasised that revenue is not the purpose for which prison industries were started. The aim of prison industries is to give an occupation to the prisoner to help him in his rehabilitation and train him in a trade so as to enable him to find employment on his release. Through the payment of wages at fixed rates and industrial bonuses commen surate with their skill and production output, prisoners are encouraged to improve in the job they do and strive to increase output.”
“The figure of female prisoners often exceeds this number, resulting in congestion. At present there are 35 female prisoners in the dormitory for ordinary prisoners, and six political detainees in the dormitory for political detainees. The congestion in the dormitory for ordinary prisoners has been the subject of comment by visiting justices who periodically visit the female prison. It must be pointed out that the old female prison at Outram Road, which was demolished in 1965, had accommodation for 140 female prisoners. The design for the Cellular Block, Female Prison, will reflect an improvement in prison architecture and will provide full security cells to enable the prisoners to be segregated if necessary. As to why there is only a token vote of $10, Sir, it is because we have not had the full estimate of how much it will cost to build this block. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Madam Chan Choy Siong --- (2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 82 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 106.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ulu Bedok New Open Prison is intended to accommodate criminal law detainees who are at present housed in Changi Prison and the Remand Prison at Queenstown. With the closure of the Pulau Senang Settlement after the riot in 1963, the criminal law detainees from Pulau Senang were transferred to Outram Road Prison and Changi Prison, thereby causing congestion in both these prisons. The congestion in Changi Prison became worse with the demolition of the Outram Road Prison in 1965 and its substitution by the Remand Prison at Queenstown, which has accommodation for about 310 prisoners. When the New Open Prison at Ulu Bedok is completed, the criminal law detainees now accommodated in Changi Prison and the Remand Prison in Queenstown will be transferred there. Accommoda tion for 400 criminal law detainees is provided in the New Open Prison at Ulu Bedok. Of course, the purpose of the prison is to rehabilitate prisoners and not just to keep them in. In answer to the question on the female prison at Changi, the purpose of building a cellular block for female prisoners is to relieve the shortage of accommodation at the female prison and provide greater security and conditions of segregation, where necessary, for female prisoners. It is intended to build 20 cells in the Cellular Block, Female Prison at Changi, to provide accommodation for 20 prisoners. At the present moment, the female prisoners at Moon Crescent have only two dormitories, one for ordinary female prisoners - that is those who are convicted prisoners, remand prisoners, aliens, etc. - and the other is for female political detainees. The dormitory for convicted prisoners has a maximum accommodation of 30 persons only, and that for political detainees a maximum of 10 persons only.”
“Sir, the Member for Sembawang asked whether the provision for social welfare has been put at $40,020 because of the increase in defence expenditure. My answer is "Yes". Under this head, there are two projects: the Junior Approved School and the extension to Mt. Emily Girls' Home. Although the Junior Approved School has a token vote of $10, it does not mean that the project has been abandoned. In fact, we are going ahead with it. A sum of about $125,000 has been promised by the United Kingdom Government towards the cost of this building. The extension to Mt. Emily Girls' Home will be carried out next year in order to increase the capacity of this home from 40 to 80 girls. With regard to the Member's question whether the Ministry has plans to accommodate retarded children in schools, there is an association run by people which accommodates children in this kind of school. I do not think it is necessary for the Ministry to have another school of this type.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, briefly, our prisoners are being trained in various types of jobs. We have gone beyond the original concept of re habilitating them. The prison industries in which they are being trained today provide not only suitable vocations for their rehabilitation, but also substantial revenue and savings to Government. Let me give a few examples of the types of jobs they are doing while they are serving their sentences. They are trained in the following trades: laundry, wood-work assembly and machine shop, cane workshop, tailoring workshop, printing and book-binding workshop, timber seasoning, foot-wear, leather and upholstery workshop, metal workshop, concrete and cement workshop and other miscellaneous light industries. Some of the articles made by these prisoners are supplied to Government departments and others are sold to the public. These prison industries last year earned $701,000, which is an increase of $423,000 compared with the earnings of 1956, which amounted to $278,000. I assure the Member for Delta that the prisoners will be able to seek employment when they leave prison after they have served their sentences, because they will have been trained in some trades. Madam Chan Choy Siong: I withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $6,595,710 for Head 1104 ordered to stand part of the Estimates. 8.00 p.m.”
“Sir, to answer briefly the questions raised by the Member for Delta. The number of applications dealt with by the Bureau for the years 1961 to 1st December this year averages 2,400 a year. I do not have the figure for cases solved. But the monies recovered on behalf of the applicants range from $130,000 in 1961 to $371,000 in 1967. From this, Sir, you can see that many of the cases have been solved. Whatever money has to be recovered, has been recovered. On the last point about Malays living in the Delta area, if the Member can give me more particulars, I will certainly attend to this case. Madam Chan Choy Siong: I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Inche Mohd. Ariff bin Suradi - (6) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1101 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2003.”
“Also with the active promotion of sports in the armed forces, it is expected that some good sportsmen in the national teams may be recruited into the police and military services. For instance, they could be instructors, as the Member has said. With regard to the building of more closed stadiums for games, such as volley-ball, table tennis, etc., I am glad to inform the Member that there is provision in the National Sports Complex at Kallang for the building of an indoor stadium where such games can be staged. It may be air-conditioned. This is being looked into - if money is available. Besides, the Member will be aware of the facilities that are also available in the halls of the numerous schools built in Singapore where such indoor games can be played.”
“Mr Wong has also recommended that the national badminton squad should, at the appropriate time, be sent abroad to take part in international matches to give them the necessary experience and match temperament so that they will be fully attuned when they take part in the next Thomas Cup series. Arrangements are being made for them to go on a tout to play matches in Japan, Cambodia, Burma and Thailand in April or May next year, after which they will be ready to compete in the Australian zone of the Thomas Cup series in 1969. To the point that was raised by the Member for Paya Lebar, I would like to inform the House that the active encouragement of sports and games as part of the policy of creating a physically rugged society in the Republic has resulted in numerous requests being made by sports organisations to help members of national teams to enable them to keep up with their training. The Sports Promotion Division has assisted sportsmen in one way or another, such as obtaining unrecorded leave from their employers, time-off for training an- d also free medical attention. For those members who are unemployed, arrangements have also been made to get them suitable jobs. Since the beginning of this year, jobs have been found for a few outstanding athletes, basket-ball players, football players, badminton players, cyclists and, I believe, volley- ball players, too, in the private sector and in the statutory bodies. If the three volley-ball players are still unemployed at the moment, I should be very grateful if the Member could forward their names to me and I will do my best to help them get employment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to the point raised by the Member for Mountbatten regarding badminton in the Republic, I am pleased to inform the House that Mr Wong Peng Soon, four times All-England Badminton Champion, has been employed by the Government since January this year to select and train a national badminton squad to compete in the next Thomas Cup in 1969. He has selected seven players to be in the squad based on their age, skill and performance at competitions. These seven members have since June this year been undergoing serious and strenuous training five nights every week from 6.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. This intensive training is to ensure that the squad is fully fit by the time it competes in the next Thomas Cup series. The members of the squad are not paid any allowances for their training. But the Sports Promotion Division has made arrangements with their employers for the players to leave office at 3.30 p.m. every day of the week to enable them to practise. In addition, the players are provided with badminton shoes, socks, beverages, cod liver oil, vitamins and refreshments. These are articles donated by commercial firms who are interested in Singapore making an impression in the next Thomas Cup games. Arrangements have also been made with the Ministry of Education for the squad to be given exclusive use of the Victoria School gymnasium for their training. To see that the squad is physically fit to undergo the training, regular checks are made on them by a panel of three doctors who have volunteered their services.”
“MEDICINES (ADVERTISEMENT AND SALE) (AMENDMENT) BILL (As reported from Select Committee) Order for Third Reading read. 5.53 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Members of the House will recall that the Hindu Endowments Bill was referred to Select Committee on 22nd of May this year. Five written representations were received by the Select Committee of which one was from the Tamilian Association of Singapore and four from individuals who have either connections with Hindu temples or are devotees of such temples. In addition, the Select Committee also heard oral evidence from those who had submitted written representations, including representatives of the Tamilian Association of Singapore. A number of useful amendments which were made were accepted. These amendments are set out on pages CS, C6 and C7 of the Committee's Report presented to Parliament on 16th August, 1968, as Paper Pan. No. 4 of 1968. Apart from minor drafting amendments to clarify certain clauses in the Bill, the amendments made to the Bill included amendments providing for a minimum number and a maximum number of members to be appointed by the Minister to the Board; the types of documents which must be sealed by the corporate seal of the Board; provision for representations to be made to the Minister by persons managing Hindu endowments before orders are made by the Minister for any endowments which have been mismanaged to be taken over by the Board; and, lastly, fixing the frequency and quorum of meetings of management committees of endowment under the administration of the Board. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill, as now tabled before the House, incorporates the recommendations of the Select Committee. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed.”
“Sir, the Bill, as now tabled before the House, incorporates the recommendalions of the Select Committee. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. HINDU ENDOWMENTS BILL (As reported from Select Committee) Order for Third Reading read. 5.49 p.m.”
“Excluding minor drafting amendments to tidy up certain clauses of the Bill, the amendments made to the Bill included: (1) provision for the Act to be brought into operation on a date to be appointed by the Minister; (2) the name of the statutory body to be known as "Singapore Council of Social Service" rather than "the Singapore Council of Social Service"; (3) the widening of membership of the Council to include not only organisations engaged in social and charitable activities, but also organisations or bodies engaged in social, community or humanitarian work or services; (4) the removing of the absolute discretion of the Board in accepting members to the Council by allowing organisations to appeal to the Minister where necessary; (5) the clarification of rights of associate members to attend meetings of the Council and to take part in its proceedings except the right of voting; (6) the spelling out of rights to elect from among associate members two persons to represent them on the Board and for such members on the Board to take part in all proceedings of the Board, including the right to vote on any issue at any meeting of the Board; (7) the clarification of membership of the Board to include a maximum of four co-opted members of the Board; (8) provision to prevent co-opted members from running the Board by the exclusion of such members for the purposes of a quorum needed for meetings of the Board; (9) the merging of the year of activities of the Board with the financial year; and (10) certain other minor amendments restricting the nomination of the Patron-in-Chief or Patrons, the sub mission and adoption of the Council's Annual Report, Annual Accounts and the Report of the Auditor at the Annual General Meeting of the Council and not at any other general meetings of the Council.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Members of the House may remember that the Singapore Council of Social Service Bill was referred to a Select Committee by a resolution of Parliament passed on 22nd May, 1968. In response to an advertisement in the Press on 28th May, 1968, and to the publicity over Radio and Television, inviting the public to make representations on the Bill, only one written representation was received. In addition, the Select Committee also heard oral evidence from the person who had submitted the written representation as well as the representatives of the Singapore Council of Social Service after a statutory declaration was submitted to the Committee declaring that the Bill had the agreement of the members of the Council. Some of the amendments suggested by the representors have been accepted. These amendments are set out on pages C3, C4, C5 and C6 of the Select Com mittee's Report presented to Parliament on 16th August, 1968, as Paper Parl. No. 3 of 1968.”
“Barker); presented for the Minister for Finance by his Parliamentary Secretary (Mr Tang See Chim); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION BILL "to implement the International Agreement for the establishment and operation of the International Finance Corporation and to enable Singapore to become a member thereof and for matters connected therewith", recommendation of President signified (Mr E. W. Barker); presented for the Minister for Finance by his Parliamentary Secretary (Mr Tang See Chim); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. HOLIDAYS (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Holidays Act, 1966 (No. 54 of of 1996)", presented by the Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. ADJOURNMENT MOTION (Business Motion)”
“A child whose parents are in receipt of public assistance allowance will be admitted free of charge. A child whose parents and other members of the family are earning a combined income not exceeding $300 per month will have to pay a nominal charge of ten cents per day. A child whose parents and other members of the family are earning a combined income exceeding $300, but not exceeding $500 per month, will have to pay a nominal charge of thirty cents per day. As there are still a substantial number of vacant places in the 10 Social Welfare creches and as the new conditions for admission to these creches have only been introduced very recently, my Ministry will have to assess the public response to the new open-door policy for creches over a period of time before any consideration can be given to the question of whether or not to build more creches in other parts of the Republic. Should it be decided that there is sufficient justification for building more creches, bearing in mind other priority needs, I can assure the Member for Delta that the location of any new creche will be carefully studied by my officials before a decision is made. BILLS INTRODUCED 3.03 p.m. ARBITRATION (INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT DISPUTES) BILL "to implement the International Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of other States", recommendation of President signified (Mr E. W. Barker); presented for the Minister for Finance by his Parliamentary Secretary (Mr Tang See Chim); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. PROPERTY TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL 'to amend the Property Tax Ordinance, 1960 (No. 72 of 1960)", recommendation of President signified (Mr E. W.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to refer the hon. Member for Delta to what I said on 13th May, 1968, in this House on the subject of creches during the debate on the President's Speech. I quote Hansard, Volume 27, No. 4, , line 15: 'In order to utilise fully the facilities in the 10 creches, a number of vacant places in these creches will be offered to children of working parents in the higher income groups. But unlike those from families with incomes below 5500 per month who will continue to enjoy the heavily subsidized creche facilities, children from the higher income families will have to pay an economic admission charge.' The details of this new policy were announced by me on 6th July, 1968, at the fifth Annual Parents Day for children centres and creches held at the Singapore Conference Hall. They are as follows. The following rates of fees will be charged for each child admitted: (a) for morning session only, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. - $l; (b) for afternoon session only, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. - 50 cents; and (c) for the full day, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. - $l.50. For children from the lower income families the following conditions will apply: any child below the age of six, either of whose parents is a Singapore citizen, may be admitted to a Social Welfare creche provided that satisfactory evidence can be produced to show that the parent is working or both parents are working or ill, and that there is no other adult in the family able to look after the child and that the combined income of the family does not exceed $500 per month. The maximum number of children for any one family to be admitted is four. Priority in admission will, however, be given to children in the lowest income group and orphans whose guardians can satisfy the citizenship requirement.”