Peter Sung
Singapore
“After all, we are on the same side as the Frontbench. We say these things out of concern. We say these things because we are concerned for the children, for the future of our children. There are residual concerns and the Minister shall hear more about them in the course of this debate. The Opposition, Where Are They?”
“Sir, I have already made remarks about creating a business library and I shall not repeat them. The Ministry of Information and the Arts has published the Library 2000 Report. I agree with the proposals and the plans set out by the Ministry.”
“In terms of both geographic and economic development, Singapore is well endowed to become an international centre for the arts. It can serve as a centre for the exchange of South-East Asian cultures as well as between the western and eastern cultures. I would like to know more details about this project.”
“In fact, as an MP, I have received many pictures sent to me which have very explicit scenes. We should not copy this liberal lifestyle of the other countries.”
“That film was brought into Singapore with the full blessings of the Government. How this helps, I do not know. I notice that the Police and the Ministry of Home Affairs are concerned. I also notice that MITA and SBC are reviewing the position. This is comforting and encouraging because it is not too late to mend.”
“We must systematically organise and cultivate our people's interest in the arts and improve their standard of appreciation. On the other hand, the Government should also assist and help our artists to venture into the international market. Mr Speaker, Sir, in order to do that, we need a lot of money.”
The complete record
Every one of 129 lines we hold for Peter Sung, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 3 of 3.
“The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Lee Yiok Seng)( In Mandarin): Sir, the Members for Chua Chu Kang, Bukit Timah and Nee Soon South raised the question of resettlement and they hoped that compensation would be awarded speedily to the residents who are affected by resettlement. In normal circumstances, those who are affected by resettlement, when they apply for the purchase of HDB flats/or have accepted flats, they would have been given part of their compensation. When they move out of the sites they would have received the full payment of compensation. At present, there are some settlers who have not been given compensation though they have accepted HDB flats or have moved into the HDB flat and are awaiting their compensation. There are two main reasons for this. The first reason is that some settlers have planted too many fruit trees or have put up many illegal structures on their plot of land. Their aim was to get as much compensation as they could from the Government. This is not reasonable. Action was therefore taken to examine the fruit trees and verify the improvements against the official records of the relevant authorities. The Resettlement Department has to look into the dossier carefully and such investigation is necessary in order to make it fair to everyone. Assessment work is difficult to takes time. Therefore, some settlers have not been able to get their compensation in time. The second reason is that last year, in 1989, the Resettlement Department specially arranged for the settlers to be allotted their flats before they received their compensation. This is to help them to purchase the flats they desired before July last year, otherwise they would be affected by the new HDB booking system.”
“New high-value-added science and knowledge-based industries will be housed in business parks and in pleasant physical environments. MRT lines will be extended to complement a comprehensive network of expressways to encourage greater use of public transport. Enough land will be set aside for infrastructure such as the upgrading and expansion of our airport and seaport. Sufficient land will also be safeguarded for social and cultural facilities such as schools, hospitals, medical facilities, performing arts centres, museums and libraries. A greater variety of parks will be developed. Some natural areas will be preserved. These would include the Pasir Ris Mangrove Park and the Bird Sanctuary in Sungei Buloh. Waterfront land would be better used for recreation, water sports and marinas. The recreation potential of the Southern Islands would be tapped. Mr Heng Chiang Meng talked about 2-storey shophouses fronting main roads. Sir, most of the buildings which have residential units above the shops and offices are in residential and local shopping areas. In such zones, the quantum of commercial area or floor space is minimal and is meant for use to cater for the local residents. The road system is designed for very minimal traffic and so are car park facilities. If these residential units are allowed to be converted to office use, it will gradually change the residential character of the area and would defeat the original purpose of zoning. The amenity of the residential estate would be diminished. There would be additional traffic nuisance as well as crowds attracted to the premises.”
“Sir, the Concept Plan review is carried out in two phases. The first phase identifies the critical land use areas, such as for housing, for industry, for commerce, for defence, for recreation and for transport. This phase has been completed. Phase two examines the allocation or distribution of these land uses across the country. This phase is also largely completed. However, we have to do some traffic testing and modelling to make sure that there is an optimum match between the transportation network and the proposed land use allocation. This second phase should be completed by the end of this year. Sir, preliminary findings of our review show that with proper planning and greater efforts to optimize the use of land, we have sufficient land to accommodate a population of 4 million people. If the economy continues to grow and if the need arises, we can reclaim more land and this will increase our present stock of land of about 62,300 hectares by another 15%. This additional land that may be reclaimed is tantamount to 13 Ang Mo Kios. More medium and low density housing, such as flats and condominiums, town houses and landed property, will also be provided in good locations. These good locations would include those fronting the sea and those next to parks and recreational areas. The standard of housing will also be better than that of today, with 20 square metres per person being increased to about 30-35 square metres per person in future. In the Concept Plan there will also be a strategy for decentralisation. Commercial activities which do not need to be in the central area will be decentralised to a few regional centres, such as Jurong East, Woodlands and Tampines. Many of the existing industrial estates would also be upgraded.”
“The terms of the survey have been clearly stated by my colleague, BG George Yeo, in a statement on 4th August. I suggest Mr Chiam should read that again. CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY (Completion date) 4. Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for National Development when will the Central Expressway be completed; what are the causes of the delays; and what measures have been taken by the Government to speed up the construction.”
“When the question arises, as I have stated, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we will consider the matter.”
“The term "US site survey team" may have given rise to the impression that the US team which came to visit Singapore was to carry out topographic or hydrographic surveys to study a new site. This is a wrong impression. In fact, the US team was not going to construct any new base in Singapore. Instead it was looking at facilities that we already have in Singapore in order to decide what they want to use. If the US should decide on the basis of their site survey to use some of Singapore's facilities, then it will be nothing new. Other countries have used Singapore's facilities in the past. For example, the Australians used to deploy detachments of Mirage aircraft from their airbase in Butterworth in Malaysia to Singapore's Tengah Airbase.”
“The US has not asked us. If and when they do, the Government will consider the matter.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the land is reserved for a school. It is a reserve. What sort of housing? We will give the Member more details if he would like to put up another question for oral answer. SIMEI HOUSING ESTATE (Provision of Residents' Corner) 3. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board will provide concrete tables and benches at the void decks of the flats in Simei Housing Estate. Mr Peter Sung (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the provision of Residents' Corner, which consists of a table and some stools or benches, was previously a standard feature of Housing and Development Board flats. However, in view of the formation of Town Councils, HDB will now leave it to the Town Council to decide where and whether such a corner will be required to be constructed. My Ministry, however, will provide financial assistance up to a prescribed level for such projects. PRIORITY REGISTRATION SCHEME FOR PRIMARY 1 IN 1988 (Enrolment) The following question stood in the name of Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon - 4. To ask the Minister for Education how many parents, who qualify, made use of the priority registration scheme to enrol their children in Primary 1 in 1988.”
“Yes, we do have training in languages, in social graces, in communications, in technical skills, in professional skills. Our most effective kind of training is, in fact, job rotation. They do one job after another, they get to their position, sink or swim. Usually they swim. We do not have enough numbers to start a Foreign Service Training Institute, as Dr Ong has said. We will press on to make-do with whatever we can. We will try to get the PSC to give us overseas scholarships. Performance In spite of all these difficulties, our overseas representation has earned us high reputation. Our missions abroad are usually thin compared to other missions. And I can say that the quality of the work that they do have earned the praised of many Foreign Missions, despite the difficulties. I think that is all the time I have before the guillotine falls. But if there are further questions, and we have a couple of minutes, I might take one or two more.”
“Roving ambassadors Yes, we have only two. Not enough. We are appointing some and we are looking at some. And if the GPC can help us talent scout, we would be grateful. On recruitment Yes, there are difficulties. Salary is the main thing as the Minister for Trade and Industry has stated earlier. We are allowed 11 recruits every year by the Ministry of Finance. Our best recruitment was, in fact, during the recession years. Net increase was 7 in 1985 and 11 in 1986; 1987, 1. For 1988, the net increase was minus 1. At the moment we have 23 vacancies in Division I, and 5 in Division II. OCLA Our officers claim it is not enough. Foreign Service Commision We can consider that. Ambassadors Ambassadors have a hard life. They leave their homeland to serve in foreign countries, resulting in disruption to their family. Children's education and their wives' careers have to be interrupted. They make considerable sacrifices. And with the low salary, it does not help. More than half of our ambassadors serving overseas are non-career officers. When I last made a check, I found that when they come in to help us, they are already making a sacrifice. And even with that sacrifice, we are paying them more than 50% more than our career officers as ambassadors. Scholarships Yes, we raised that with the PSC in 1982. But PSC was then not convinced. We will try again. The task ahead is difficult. But we will press ahead. Training One or two years in a course specifically for language sounds very good. We would like to have that. Unfortunately with so many vacancies, we do not have the fat to rotate people for this kind of training. When they come in, they go straight into the job. Mr Das asked whether we can rotate some to the private sector. Good idea, but they may not come back.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, on behalf of my Minister, I would request that those people who have not got an answer in the next 4 minutes might want to raise questions for oral answer later on. The Chairman: Good idea.”
“As the other end of the underpass is on private land, PWD will only be able to open up the underpass for public use after Ngee Ann Kongsi has completed its portion of the underpass. The PWD is discussing the matter with the developer of the site, so that the underpass can be ready by the end of 1990. The underpass system along Orchard Road (from Scotts Road to Dhoby Ghaut) will eventually comprise five underpasses located at the following places: in front of Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station; in front of Plaza Singapura; in front of Centre Point; in front of Lucky Plaza, and in front of the Orchard Road MRT Station. The Plaza Singapura and Centre Point underpasses have been completed and opened for public use some years ago. The remaining three are expected to be operational as follows: Dhoby Ghaut by mid-1990, Orchard Road by end-1990.”
“In the case of the Central Expressway project, Cavenagh House residents are compensated for the swimming pool and the car parks they lost. The PWD also assisted by building replacement car parks on adjacent state land which the residents can use under a TOL arrangement with the Land Office. Cavenagh Court and Townhouse apartments have their front lawn affected by the project. After the completion of the project, I see no objection to such parts of the land on top of the road tunnels which are not needed for daily operation and maintenance of tunnels to be put to some compatible use. I would suggest that the residents approach the Land Office for its terms and conditions. Now I turn to the traffic lights along Orchard Road. Following calls by several MPs to reduce the number of traffic lights along Orchard Road, the PWD did a study and subsequently decided to remove the traffic lights and markings at Lucky Plaza. The reason for the removal of the Lucky Plaza crossing has been explained in a letter to the Lucky Plaza Management Corporation. Recent press reports on the removal of the pedestrian crossing across Orchard Road at Lucky Plaza show that many members of the public would like to know why the pedestrian crossing at Lucky Plaza was removed and why it was removed before the underpass across Orchard Road at Lucky Plaza is completed. The PWD is issuing a press statement on this. I might just highlight that the underpass across Orchard Road is meant to run beneath the existing canal and surface at Lucky Plaza at one end and at the proposed development on the private land owned by Ngee Ann Kongsi at the other. One end of the underpass has already been connected to Lucky Plaza.”
“Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister. On noise reflectors. In early 1986 the PWD carried out a comprehensive feasibility study on the use of noise barriers to reduce noise levels along expressways and other major roads. The various types of noise barriers used by other countries, including Japan, were examined. It was found that in the Singapore context of an urban highrise environment, such barriers would have to be very high to be effective in reducing noise. These high barriers would be very obtrusive, besides being very expensive to build. Other control measures have been examined by the authorities and these will include better land use planning to separate residential areas from the roads and legislation on noise emission levels from vehicles. On linking Owen Road to Norfolk Road and on converting Cambridge Road to two-way. Owen Road would be opened to join Norfolk Road when the CTE is completed. The construction of the Kampong Java to Chin Swee segment of the CTE is still in progress. Therefore, Norfolk Road is required for the diversion of heavy and fast moving traffic from the CTE to Keng Lee Road. At this stretch of the diversion, the road narrows from three lanes to two lanes. Furthermore, the unopened Owen Road joins it after a reverse bend on Norfolk Road. It is therefore not safe to carry out a connection now. Regarding Dr Wong's comments on Cavenagh House. When private land is unavoidably affected by a public development project, it is acquired and compensated for in accordance with the Land Acquisition Act. I understand it is not Land Office policy to allocate other state land in replacement of private land acquired.”
“Sir, it will prevent all developers, not just the small ones. But mortgage will continue to be allowed when the mortgage is for the purpose of the loan and for the land or construction connected with the project. It will not be allowed for any other purpose.”
“This serves as a guide for contractors regarding the correct and proper placement of signs and lighting when carrying out any work along the roads. Physical enforcement of the safety requirements is carried out by the PWD and the Traffic Police. The respective service departments also conduct their own internal policing and control. The PWD has stepped up enforcement by increasing the frequency of checks at the job sites, both during the day and at night. There is also a demerit points system for contractors who infringe safety requirements. As a result of this enforcement, some contractors have been suspended and safety at the worksite has been further enhanced. Sir, the PWD is very concerned about safety on the roads while works are in progress. It will continue with the training and enforcement programme to enforce safety and to minimize inconvenience to roadusers. Dr Low Seow Chay: Sir, on a point of clarification. The Minister of State stated that there will be new regulations preventing small developers from mortgaging the land or other structures to the bank. Do I understand him correctly on this point?”
“The duties and responsibilities of the developer and the managing agent, if one is appointed, are spelt out in the Buildings and Common Property (Maintenance and Management) Act. Under this Act, errant developers or agents can be taken to task when things go wrong. There is therefore adequate protection in the law for residents. Dr Low also asked whether any more protection can be given to buyers. Existing safeguards under the Housing Developers Rules are adequate. The project account system ensures that buyers' interests are protected. To encourage higher quality work, my Ministry will be amending the progress payments schedule under the prescribed Sale and Purchase Agreement. The intention is to withhold 5% of the purchase price from the developers to ensure that they make good all defects that have to be rectified. The money or balance thereof will be released to the developer only 12 months after the developer informs the buyer that he can move into the new home. The prescribed sale and purchase agreement will also be amended to require the developers to provide more detailed specifications of the building units they are selling. This is to minimize disputes arising from specifications. As an additional protection to house buyers, the developers will be prohibited from mortgaging the land for the project other than for construction purposes and for land loans. This is to ensure that the land will not be unnecessarily overburdened with mortgages not connected with the building project in the event a developer goes bust. On warning signposts, contractors carrying out roadworks are required to install adequate signs and lighting so as to ensure safety and to minimize inconvenience to roadusers. The PWD has published a temporary signing manual.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of my Minister. Since guillotine time is coming soon, I will abbreviate my answers. The issue of COF does not mean that the building has complied with everything that the buyer expects. It just means that the building has fully complied with all statutory and technical requirements. However, architectural and internal layout details may vary slightly from the approved plans. Some changes may be allowed so long as they do not conflict with the statutory requirements. When the building is completed, the architect submits an as-built plan to the BCD for approval as the final approved plans. The COF does not include a number of things which I would skip because of time constraint. I would say that in areas not covered by the building requirements and technical requirements, defects resulting from sub-standard workmanship and materials are matters between the purchaser and the developer. The BCD will not be involved. The COF therefore is a document which confirms that a building has been built to the requirements of the building authority. Unfortunately, the word "fitness" is sometimes misconstrued to mean fitness in every aspect. This misconception has led to instances where the purchaser asked BCD to intercede on his behalf when he discovers that the property he has taken over does not meet his expectations of fitness. In order to avoid such misunderstanding and in order to emphasize the BCD's concern with statutory provisions and regulations, the term "Certificate of Fitness" will soon be changed to "Certificate of Statutory Completion". I will now turn to the query as to whether there is any protection for residents before a managing agent takes over the property. The answer is yes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB has on 17th February 1989 released to the media the implementation details of the policy to ensure a good racial mix in HDB estates. To further inform and guide the public, the HDB will shortly publish a booklet on this policy and the resale procedures. CHANGKAT PRIMARY SCHOOL/CHANGKAT-CHANGI SECONDARY SCHOOL (Renaming) 3. Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for Education if he will consider renaming Changkat Primary School at Simei Street 3 and Changkat-Changi Secondary School at Jalan Tiga Ratus as Changi Primary School and Changi Secondary School respectively, as both schools are in Changi Constituency. The Senior Minister of State for Education (Dr Tay Eng Soon) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, Changkat Primary School changed its name in June last year to reflect the constituency it was in then. Another change so soon following on the heels of the first change is not desirable. Changkat-Changi Secondary School has begun to establish a good reputation in its neighbourhood. The school should continue to retain its name and build for itself pride in its own identity. AIR POLLUTION IN JURONG The following Question stood in the name of Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon - 4. To ask the Minister for the Environment what is the level of air pollution in the Jurong area and whether the air is safe for human beings.”
“The Government has no need to force anyone to do so, because after a certain period following the introduction of this new policy, ethnic balance will again be restored and all races will again be adequately represented in the various HDB neighbourhoods. Singapore will be able to retain its present position where the various races continue to live in racial harmony. Mr Abdullah Tarmugi (Siglap): Sir, I would appreciate it if the Minister could clarify some points. (1) In the event of the HDB having to buy back a flat, can the Minister consider paying the market rate instead of the posted rate, as the latter will always be lower than the former? The posted price can be used when the HDB resells. (2) How will the lessee's difficulty in selling flats be determined, and by whom? (3) Will HDB in tandem with the new policy ensure that facilities, services and goods available in neighbourhoods be similarly dispersed so that it would be easier for everyone? Because one of the reasons for the people's reluctance to live in certain neighbourhoods is the difficulty in having access to facilities, goods and services peculiar to them. Lastly, has the HDB or the Ministry looked into any other methods prior to this?”
“There was a tendency for the various ethnic groups to again congregate through the process of resale. For example: (a) more Chinese prefer flats in Ang Mo Kio and Hougang (b) more Malays prefer flats in Bedok, Tampines, and Eunos (c) more Indians prefer flats in Kampong Java. There are clear signs that racial congregations are re-emerging. Up to now the problem is not very serious. But if we do not prevent this now, we may lose control in future. In some other multi-racial societies, this phenomenon is already beyond control and had created uneasiness among the people. In order to avoid such undesirable consequences, the Government will introduce measures to ensure ethnic balance in HDB estates. My Minister has already distributed figures showing details of these measures; it is not necessary for me to repeat them. This new policy will take effect from 1st March 1989. (a) But the government assures that existing HDB residents will not be forced to move from or sell their present flats. (b) The new policy will apply to the allocation of new flats. (c) The new policy will also apply to the resale of flats from 1st March 1989. For example, if the Malay community in a HDB block has already reached or exceeded the permissible limit, a Chinese who wants to resell his flat cannot sell it to a Malay. If the Chinese cannot find a buyer because of this restriction, the HDB is prepared to buy his flat from him at the prevailing HDB posted prices. Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to repeat the Government's assurance that no one will be required to sell his present flat.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on behalf of my Minister. (In Mandarin): The Minister for National Development has already explained the measures in detail. I will briefly summarise the main points. A few decades ago, various racial groups congregated in ethnic enclaves. The Malays were concentrated in Geylang Serai and Eunos. The Indians were found in Serangoon Road. Among the Chinese: the Cantonese in Kreta Ayer, the Hokkiens in Telok Ayer, the Teochews in Boat Quay, and the Hainanese in Beach Road and Middle Road. Why did they congregate together? It is because they felt that by so doing they could promote their own security and could better look after their own welfare and interests. This is good. But their attitude towards other races is sometimes different. This sometimes led to misunderstandings and undesirable consequences. In the allocation of flats under the public housing programme over the last two decades, the Government took the opportunity to redistribute the population so that every HDB estate reflected the racial mix of the population. As a result: (a) Every racial group is represented in each constituency. Each Member of Parliament developed better understanding of the living habits, the economic conditions and social/political positions of his residents. (b) Each racial group has developed mutual understanding with the other racial groups. (c) We have forged racial tolerance and harmony. For more than 20 years, we did not have serious racial problems. However, in the last few years, there were some undesirable developments. While the various ethnic groups were properly distributed during the allocation of new HDB flats, there was no restriction on the resale of flats.”
“I think the Hansard would show what he did or did not say.”
“Can I ask Mr Chiam this question. Earlier when he talked about the amendment he said that he has the highest regard for our courts. He also said that the PAP talked about the Elected President during the recent elections. My question for Mr Chiam is whether by quoting this example in his argument, he agrees with the principle of the Elected President. Let us have it on record. The second question is, if he has the highest regard for our courts, why must we go to the Privy Council?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to seek a point of clarification from Dr Lee. He said that Philippines is not so peaceful. Is he aware that security officers in the Philippines have complained of the frustrations they have about the constraints of having to face the normal rules of evidence in court, and that they have asked for the Singapore model or the Malaysian model of the ISA to be introduced there? It is not just a question of whether the ISA exists or not, but whether there is any abuse of the powers under the ISA. For example, in the Philippines under Marcos, there was no ISA. But there was wholesale abuse of power leading to the "denial of liberty and justice", in the words of Dr Lee.”
“Sir, could I ask Mr Chiam who told him that the American bases in the Philippines are to protect us from the Communists? Mr Chiam See Tong rose”
“The majority of civil servants find it more convenient just to follow rules. And so rules are often followed regardless of what they cost. In the private sector, the man-in-the-street is powerless against the heavy weight of government bureaucracy. A stroke of the pen by a bureaucrat can often cause a lot of inconvenience to the laymen and substantial financial outlay by businessmen. They often suffer in silence. Sometimes they write letters to the press; sometimes they talk about it in coffee shops; sometimes in meeting places, private gatherings, and so on. Mr Speaker, Sir, the situation cannot be good. I am arguing for more sensitivity by Government departments. I am not asking Government departments to change their policies or shift their objectives. What I am talking about is a little more consideration for the positions of those who are affected. If alternative routes can be used to achieve a given objective, the one selected should be the one that causes the least inconvenience, and the manner of implementation must cause the least resentment and misunderstanding by the people. The point I am making, Mr Speaker, Sir, is that administrative overkill is not necessary. With greater sensitivity to the needs and feelings of the people, I am confident that the programmes set out by the President in his Address to Parliament will continue to meet the rising aspirations of the people. I therefore wholeheartedly support the motion to thank the President.”
“It involved a lot of data but provided very little information. So we decided to computerize. In the process, we had to change some formats. And my staff in Manila told me that changes were not possible. When I asked why, he said that the formats had been fixed by HQ, which is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In subsequent correspondence, I found HQ to be very supportive and our proposal was sent to the relevant authorities. However, there was a hitch. The documents required the amount to be typewritten not only in figures but also in words. We know that the computer receives amounts in figures, and for it to print the amount also in words requires a program that is not readily available. So we proposed an alternative, and that is for the amounts to be embossed using a cheque-writer. We believe this is equally effective in preventing defalcation. We were naturally pleased when the relevant authorities agreed with our proposal. We went on to develop the programmes. And when we were ready, we received another letter from yet another relevant authority which apologized for the delay in reply but stated that "the amount in words must be retained". Mr Speaker, Sir, in mentioning these two cases, my purpose is not to question Government policies nor to question the efficiency of the Government departments concerned. I have earlier said that the Government has done well. My observation is that the manner in which Government departments carry out some of the objectives can cause some inconvenience from time to time. What happens when a Government department issues a rule or regulation? In the Civil Service, the rule is often taken as sacrosanct. We must have heard many complaints even by civil servants that some other departments are inflexible.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to speak in support of the motion by the Member for Siglap to thank the President for his Address to Parliament and to support the Government's goal of providing a better livelihood for all Singaporeans. The Government is known far and wide to be effective and honest. Its policies, objectives and achievements have earned the praise of peoples from many lands. Singaporeans have benefited from a wise and dedicated Government. However, there is always room for improvement. Please allow me, Mr Speaker, Sir, to mention two stories. The first occurred in 1963 when I was admitted to the then University of Singapore and subsequently awarded a teaching bursary. At the end of the first year of study, I qualified to read a one-subject course either in Economics or Mathematics. I chose Economics because I found it easier. I had been teaching in Victoria School and there my colleagues who were graduates were getting salaries two or three times higher than mine. I realized that to get a higher salary I need a higher qualification. So my purpose was to get a degree; any degree would do. But the Ministry of Education did not agree with my choice. After repeated appeals, it insisted that I must read Mathematics. I had worked day and night to save money for my studies at the University. I was not taking any chances. The Ministry of Education withdrew my study leave and asked me to refund all sums paid to me under the bursary. In order to continue with my studies, I had to leave the Education Service. That, Mr Speaker, Sir, happened in 1963, some 25 years ago. The second case occurred in April last year. I was then serving in Manila. We received a computer and began to put some work into it. Our accounting work was taking up an inordinate amount of time.”