S. Vasoo
Singapore
“I would like to ask DPM whether the public as well as the Government-linked companies would be looking at some ways in which jobs could be created to absorb some of the older workers. In the longer term, I think job creation will become an issue, especially when many of the industries in the manufacturing sector are going to hollow out.”
“Our recruitment has been excellent over this past period and our attrition has been relatively low. But I am realistic enough to know that it is not just because of the Ministry of Education, the economy has helped a lot. I believe that I have answered most of the questions posed by Members.”
“Can I ask the Minister of State, when he claims that the LRT is of world-class standards, but the Member for Sembawang is complaining that there are so many frequent breakdowns, what world-class standard are we talking about?”
“May I ask the Minister whether the viewpoints of the commuters and the private bus operators will be solicited in his review? Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, we are in touch with the private bus operators and we would definitely take the views of the public into consideration in the context of the overall framework of the public transport system.”
“It would be the last resort, as the Minister has put it, to institutionalise persons because, by institutionalising them, one breaks them up from the family, and family dynamics are disrupted. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that we have other means of rehabilitating young persons and juveniles within a community setting.”
“All the time, we emphasise on marriage as a partnership. We also accept, as one of our core values, the family as a basic unit. It is, therefore, desirable that the wording, at the beginning of this Bill, should reinforce this value. Under clause 13, the Minister will have powers to exclude certain classes of persons.”
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“Sir, could the Minister relocate old people and old couples within the same neighbourhood and not to other neighbourhoods which would cause problems to them?”
“So I am clarifying whether careful discrimination will be made to treat the large numbers of young persons who will be taken in and to be cared for in approved centres. The third aspect is the area of coordination. The Ministry of Community Development also deals with juvenile delinquents who are dealt in under the Children and Young Persons Act. I am wondering to what extent there will be coordination between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Community Development to effectively combine joint forces to deal with this whole issue at hand.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Bill. The Bill in itself helps many helpless parents to deal with their children who are inhalant abusers. At the moment many parents that I know of are at their wit's end in dealing with this problem. I feel that this Bill is timely as it helps many parents who are in such a dilemma. Sir, it is pointless to go into the root cause of the problem because there are many variations and many issues related to the whole cause of people indulging in inhalant abuse. What is important is to address this problem because we have a problem at hand and it is a community problem. Therefore, an effective solution has to be found to deal with this problem. Hence this Bill will address this issue. What I am concerned about is, in anticipation that a large number of young people are going to be apprehended and put under supervision, I am wondering whether there will be adequate manpower and other related resources to be deployed to deal with those who are involved in inhalant abuses. For any rehabilitation programme which requires supervision to succeed, it must be manpower-intensive. I hope that the Ministry will make adequate preparations to have such manpower available to deal with the issues of supervision. The other important area that I would like to seek clarification from the Minister is this: At the moment older drug addicts are admitted into different rehabilitation centres. I am wondering whether there will be separate provisions to deal with the rehabilitation of young offenders. It is important because currently our drug rehabilitation centres do not have adequate provisions to deal with younger persons.”
“Sir, I rise in support of this Bill because the Bill does not discriminate against inhalant abusers. I am concerned, in anticipation, that a large number of young persons will be apprehended for treatment, whether criminal records will be entered against them. My other concern is about the definition of Intoxicating Substances in this Bill. Would it be fairly exclusive to ensure that those who take beer, brandy and others would not be included?”
“Question 18, Sir. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Communications and Information (Mr Ho Kah Leong) (for the Minister for Communications and Information): Sir, I am replying on behalf of my Minister. I will ask the Singapore Bus Service (1978) Limited to look into the suggestion of the Member with a view to providing convenient links for residents of Serangoon New Town to nearby MRT stations. If found feasible, SBS would have to make the necessary application to the Public Transport Council. DEPOT ROAD ESTATE (Replacement of Blocks 104 and 106) 19. Dr Koh Lam Son asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board has any plan to replace blocks 104 and 106 in Depot Road Estate which are due for demolition.”
“I mean the redevelopment plans that are being put forward are plans which are beyond the control of the shopkeepers because they themselves are affected in the process of redevelopment.”
“Sir, is the Minister aware that some of these factors are beyond the control of the shopkeepers? At the same time, can the Board consider hastening redevelopment programmes in the neighbourhoods which are affected?”
“Sir, what immediate steps would be taken for existing shops that are in the neighbourhood to liven their social and economic activity? Another supplementary question is, would a temporary rental rebate be considered until the estate is rebuilt and its economic activity reactivated?”
“Sir, the Bill will give a new lease of hope to kidney disease sufferers. I am confident that Singaporeans will respond favourably to help their fellow Singaporeans who are suffering from kidney diseases and this will provide a new dawn of hope to those who are suffering from the disease. I just want to get one clarification from the Acting Minister. It is whether appropriate procedures and rules will be worked out as to who will get the priority for kidney transplant. There are likely to be contentions and other related problems as to who would get this priority. I am wondering whether these procedures will be made known to the public.”
“Sir, what is the state of inhalant abuse in Singapore and what steps are being taken to curb this problem?”
“This can be easily administered by the Parks and Recreation Department. Secondly, in some Housing Board estates there are insufficient car parks. Residents may, in a rush to find places to park, sometimes inadvertently park their cars on the grass verge, and they are likely to get into problems. I am wondering whether the Parks and Recreation Department's officers will use careful discretion in deciding who to fine, and who has a reasonable excuse for parking on a grass verge. Sir, these are some of the issues related to the implementation of the proposed amendment to the Act. I see that, unless appropriate discretion is exercised, there will be a lot of misunderstanding between car owners and the Parks and Recreation Department. So I feel the only way to implement section 10 is to make a proviso for the Parks and Recreation Department to devise an administrative procedure to surcharge car owners for the problems they have created.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the principles behind the amendment in the sense that it streamlines procedures to deal with contractors with regard to planting trees and making good the damages done to the turf and the parks. But I am not really convinced about the reasons for amending section 10B of the Parks and Trees Act. This amendment enhances the fine from $1,000 to $2,000 on car owners who without reasonable excuse park their cars on any side-table or turfed open space. This will lead to a lot of interpretational problems with regard to "reasonable excuse". Unless one can define this more clearly, this will lead to a lot of dispute between those who enforce this procedure and car owners. Sir, as pointed out, the problem is not that serious because there are only 906 cases that have to be dealt with and I see no reason why there is a necessity to make amendments to deal with such small number of cases of people who flout the law and create problems. Sir, in making amendment to section 10B there are several implications. Firstly, one may bog down the courts with unnecessary administrative procedures in dealing with cases. The courts are already bogged down with a lot of cases and taking action against car owners will further pressurize the courts. I am wondering whether there are no other alternative administrative procedures to deal with such problems. Perhaps a surcharge on car owners who create such problems of indiscriminate parking will be probably useful. If they damage the turf or they park indiscriminately and destroy the greens, then I think it is possible to administer a charge on them. This will then, Sir, create less administrative and legal procedures which car owners have to go through.”
“Primary Health (17) That the sum to be allocated for Head P be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead PE-01 of the Main Estimates.”
“Hospital Services (13) That the sum to be allocated for Head P be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead PD-00 of the Main Estimates.”
“People's Association (20) That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead JK-00 of the Main Estimates. Encik Ibrahim Othman:”
“Sir, despite what the Minister has said, I think there is a need for more support. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment in the name of Mr Chai Chong Yii stood on the Order Paper Supplement: Public Assistance (10) That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead JE-03-1210 of the Main Estimates.”
“And this is an area where I feel that the Government could provide the initial capital and the seed money for the promotion of such a programme.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead JE-02 of the Main Estimates. Sir, I was just trying to point out that the Ministry feels that it will do its best in enhancing the employment for the disabled. I am wondering what is the best that it will do in terms of moral support, in terms of facilities, in terms of seed money or all of these. I feel that disabled people not only have to be content with their disability but also with their physical environment. To be disabled is itself a problem. To be disabled and unemployed is a double disadvantage, Sir. There is no reason why the community under-estimates the ability of the disabled to live economically and socially useful lives. What is the Ministry's long-term solution to promote the employability of disabled persons? Sir, many studies and surveys have been conducted by the Ministry but some tangible solutions have emerged. I feel that a more comprehensive programme could be organized to enhance their employability. One effective solution to their employment problem would be the establishment of cooperative sheltered workshops or cooperative work centres. Cooperative workshops and work centres with the financial participation of families, participating companies and Government can be set up. These cooperatives cited in or near industrial estates can organize various work programmes for the disabled. Such cooperatives given some initial seed money can be the pacesetter for the creation of employment for the disabled. I feel that we have not fully exploited and explored the possibilities of establishing cooperative workshops for the disabled.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, I shall be fairly precise because of constraint of time. I cannot but agree with the Member for Siglap who spoke on the rehabilitation programmes for the disabled. But I would like to concentrate specifically on the enhancement of employment for the disabled, an area which I feel that the Ministry could do more. The Ministry has claimed that it would do its best. I wonder what the best is.”
“Would the working parents with a joint income of less than $1,000 be required to pay more than $90 in the near future? Sir, if charges for affordable child care centres would not be accessible to this group of parents, then I think there will be more latchkey children's problems that we need to face.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head J be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead JD-03 of the Main Estimates*. Sir, if you listen to the cries of the latchkey children, you will then understand the need to establish more affordable child care centres. Sir, we can anticipate that there will be an increasing number of latchkey children in the near future. This increase will be influenced by a number of factors. Firstly, the increasing divorce rate may lead to an increasing need for care and protection of children. Secondly, single-parenthood, which is on the increase as a result of death of either parent. Thirdly, more married women in the lower income group are looking for jobs in order to meet their economic necessities. Fourthly, the lack of affordable child care facilities or arrangements in the neighbourhood. Sir, the latchkey child, if unattended, can become a social cost to our society. In fact, problematic behaviour, delinquency and other related problems will result if the child is left unattended. Sir, the Ministry's effort to promote child care centres is a positive step. Many more centres should be encouraged to be established, particularly in housing estates where there are more light industries. Sir, it is in these estates that more affordable child care centres should be set up. These centres will in the longer term help the development of our children who otherwise will face problems if they are left unattended. Some of us must have read in the papers that children who were left unattended get into various problems endangering their life and limb. Sir, the working class parents are concerned whether the Government will reduce its effort to promote affordable child care centres.”
“Sir, I would like to thank the Minister of State for his response. I feel that it is not sufficient to provide support to the voluntary welfare sector to run special schools. But support in terms of financial support particularly should be adequate enough for them to run a proper programme for children who are disabled. So with that note, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“A more professional approach could be undertaken with the objective of helping the school system to be better. On-going assessment with strong guidance and support will be essentially necessary to help the school to be better. Perhaps a more independent appraisal system should be instituted in order to help the school develop and strengthen. Finally, Sir, I would like to make a plea. In our present efforts to pursue educational excellence for our children, I feel that we should not forget about the needs of the disabled children. They are still our children who require support for their programmes and their educational needs should not be seen as a welfare problem but an educational problem. I hope that the Ministry will continue to be responsible for providing the necessary support and resources to help these children to grow and develop too.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head L be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead LC-01 of the Main Estimates.* Sir, in our efforts to promote excellence in schools, I see that there is an urgent need to review the school appraisal system. School appraisal system is necessary in order that schools can be helped to improve and perform better. An objective appraisal system conducted in a manner which is professional will be most welcome by principals and teachers. In reality, the present school appraisal system is rather traumatic to teachers and principals. Why is this so, Sir? The present appraisal system is primarily geared towards identifying the faults of principals and teachers rather than understanding their problems and constraints that they face. Principals and teachers not only face problems related to teaching but they also face other related problems as regards logistics and other needs for the school. Based on the current emphasis in the appraisal system, it does not really appraise at all. The actual problems do not surface. Hence, we are only touching the problems which are the tip of the iceberg. There is not much trust between the appraiser and those appraised and unless you work out a more cogent system to surface issues which will really help to improve the school system, then we may not be able to strive towards more excellence. The old appraisal system is better than the present one because it has been conducted on an on-going basis. The present appraisal system is undertaken by the inspectorate which gives very little notice to the principal. The criterion of the appraisal system is not clearly defined and hence it is not fully appreciated by the principals. A better objective appraisal system is necessary.”
“Sir, in view of the positive plans that are being undertaken, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead TF-06-1210 of the Main Estimates. Sir, Singapore is surrounded by sea and in view of the fact that we are phasing out pollutive farming, there seems to be tremendous potential for the development of marine fish farming. I understand that the Primary Production Department has a marine experimental station. I am enquiring to know what steps are being undertaken by this Department to promote the potential in marine fish farming in Singapore.”
“Sir, with the on-going resettlement programme in Nee Soon, bird sanctuaries have been affected. Hence, Ang Mo Kio New Town is affected by an over-population of birds. It is along the flight path of these birds and they have found a sanctuary in Ang Mo Kio New Town. This affects a lot of the residents there. The birds are causing a nuisance and their droppings are a health hazard. I feel that something needs to be done. What effective steps are being undertaken by the Primary Production Department to see that the birds could be drawn to a new bird sanctuary?”
“Sir, I share the viewpoint expressed by the Member for Punggol. I understand that there are perennial complaints against the Planning Department. There is poor coordination in various planning matters relating to the conduct and carrying out of plans needing approvals. I feel that it is appropriate at this juncture to review how planning matters could be expeditiously carried out. At the same time, Sir, I also want to find out what steps the Ministry is taking in terms of safeguarding planning information.”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I am just making some observation. I hope the Parks and Recreation does not have too many green horns, in the sense that they do a lot of green things around. What I am just suggesting is that it does not take a green horn to know that Singapore is a temperate climate. It takes a fair bit of imagination to bring colour to our life. With that note, I beg leave to withdraw.”
“So I am wondering what is being done to see if they are pruned and also select the appropriate trees that could be planted in our greening of Singapore. With that note, I would like to see that future resources are spent more appropriately and more imaginative colours can be brought to the various new towns in the estates.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead TD-01-1210 of the Main Estimates. Sir, the Parks and Recreation Department has done well in bringing colour to Singapore but the colour it has brought about is rather monotonous. It is green all over. If you go around all over the island you probably see everything is almost green. Sometimes to my wonder I thought it is part of this Social Defence programme to bring about jungle green in its nature. Sir, if you go along the housing estates further you will see that there can be no distinction between one neighbourhood and the other. From Kebun Baru, if you walk over to Bo Wen, you cannot distinguish which is which, and if you go over from Bo Wen to Ang Mo Kio, that is even worse. So I think though they have spent a tremendous resource in the greening of Singapore, I feel that it is necessary at least to become more imaginative. They may have to consult perhaps the Ministry of the Environment to see what technical service and support could be given. So I feel that more flowering shrubs, particularly in housing estates and new towns, could be provided for so that it would create at least a neighbourhood identity. Coupled with this, there is also the problem of overgrown trees. Sometimes I wonder whether they do select the right type of trees for planting. Many trees are overgrown. As earlier speakers have suggested, some trees have aged and these have also caused danger to people, particularly in Frankel Estate and Siglap area. From what I gather from my Parliamentary colleague for Kampong Kembangan, trees have in fact overgrown and have created problems there too.”
“Sir, just to point out to the Minister. The sweeping of the place is left to the town council but the managing and repairing is very much the PWD's purview. But nobody seems to be responsible. In view of the clarification, I beg leave to withdraw, Sir. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“And I think all Members are aware that whenever there is a period of prolonged rain, the roads tend to get into a serious state of disrepair. The past practice, as I said, has been to repair as and when the roads are damaged by continuous rain. In the case of bus stops, the PWD had to re-mill and resurface twice a year at an annual cost of about $2,000 per bus stop. Concreting costs about $7,000 per bus stop and the concreted bus stop will last much more than the 3(r) years that is required to recover the cost of $7,000. So in the long-term sense, it is more economical to concrete the bus stops. The programme that the PWD has is a 3-year programme involving $16 million. On the CTE extension, Sir, I thought this question was raised this morning by way of a Question for Oral Answer, and the Member was informed that the CTE will be extended to reach Yio Chu Kang Road by the end of this year. Whether there will be further extensions, I cannot give him an answer right at this moment. On overhead bridges, I am surprised that the Member is under the impression that nobody is responsible for the maintenance. I would have thought that the PWD should be responsible. I do not know whether he has been told by PWD that they are not responsible. If so, I would like to know. There are, of course, always minor defects in some of these overhead bridges but these defects are not so serious as to affect the safety of the bridges. But Members would have noticed that there is now a programme to change some of these old steel bridges into better designed concrete bridges. This programme will go on and we will try and replace the old pedestrian bridges, as and when they have served their useful life, with concrete bridges.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead TC-01-1210 of the Main Estimates*. Sir, PWD has undertaken an island-wide programme to concretize bus lanes. (1) What is the rationale for this against the conventional method that has been used? (2) How much is being spent on the execution of such a programme? (3) Are there no other cost-saving methods over the recent method that has been used? The other question is that many users of the Central Expressway (CTE) have inquired why is the CTE truncated at Ang Mo Kio, Avenue 8? Are there any plans for the CTE to be further extended to Yishun or Sembawang? The third matter is the overhead bridges in Ang Mo Kio New Town. They are no man's land. Neither the Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for them because there are creepers on the overhead bridges, nor the PWD is responsible for maintaining them, nor is the HDB looking after them. Sir, I am wondering about the state of affairs of the overhead bridges which is in disrepute. Is the PWD actually responsible for managing and maintaining them? Mr Dhanabalan:Mr Chairman, Sir, on the subject of concreting many sections of our roads, basically we are concreting the bus stops. Only in certain areas are we concreting whole bus lanes. The major work is at bus stops. Our experience in the past has been that whenever there is a prolonged period of continuous rain, asphalt road surfaces at bus stops and certain sections of bus lanes and even some junctions break up easily as these areas are subjected to heavy traffic loads; not just heavy traffic loads but traffic that is turning in and out so that there is a lot of side pressures. Funds and manpower are expended every year to repair such damages.”
“Sir, I would like to thank the Minister for giving an elaborate answer, though the Member for Potong Pasir chose not to understand him. I feel the answers are appropriate, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, in relation to manpower and also professional services, I note that there is no economy of scale. Town Councils will still have to depend on consultancy and professional services of HDB. I think the Town Council itself should be allowed easy access to these services that are available and that an exorbitant charge should not be slapped on the Town Council. Otherwise, the Town Council will have to incur additional expenses. The final area is related to personnel. I note that at the moment the Town Council staff are unsure as to what their future will be and what their career prospects will be like. I feel that, unless and until these issues are settled, the staff will not be able to know how they can organize themselves and give their best to the Town Council. This is a rather important area and I suppose a personnel policy will be welcomed.”
“Sir, before we broke off for lunch, I was trying to identify some issues relating to Town Councils. Sir, in order that the Town Council can be an on-going organization, it must not be delegated just with maintenance functions alone. There is a danger that it may be landed up with this task. A Town Council should be able to do more than this. It must enhance the creativity of the Town Councillors as people who are interested in trying to manage this enterprise. Also, for a Town Council to be effective, the parameters of its function should be broadened. It should not just act as a managing agent of HDB. It should be allowed to have ownership at least in decision-making with regard to the improvement of the neighbourhood itself. Sir, I think the fundamental question we should ask is: how do we make Town Councils more effective? I would like to bring up a number of points for the Ministry to consider. In order that a Town Council could be effective, it should be involved in the development of reserved sites found within estates. Involvement could be to provide inputs in terms of improving these reserved sites and also be charged with the responsibility of managing these reserved sites or even the developing of such reserved sites which are available. This responsibility should also be extended to the development of non-reserved sites. In terms of financial resources, Sir, Town Councils should be given the flexibility for cross-subsidy and also be allowed the opportunity to invest its funds in any area of investment as long as the level of risk is deemed to be low. At the moment I think the responsibility of financial matters is charged to the Chairman. The Chairman becomes liable, I see a need for more shared responsibility in the management of funds.”
“I note that parcels of land, old historical sites and others have been acquired and these places are subsequently renovated. Thereafter they have been tendered out by URA to private people. I am wondering why these parcels of land and places of historical interest could not be allowed for private initiatives to develop them and to allow private property owners to refurbish and renovate these places and to maintain such places of interest. They will probably inject new innovations and creativity in terms of the preservations of these places. Sir, touching on Town Council, which is becoming an interesting topic, I share the sentiments of my colleague, the Member for Kebun Baru, about the need to establish Town Councils because it provides a new dimension for estate management. I assess that there are several issues that we need to address ourselves in order that Town Councils could become effective and can be managed effectively.”
“Of these, two blocks are 1-room flats, six blocks are 2-room flats and only one block is being retained. I know that there are a lot of old people and younger families with children who have been staying in these flats for the past eight to 10 years. To resettle them into other new estates or neighbouring estates would disrupt their own social network of support. The move towards resettlement of these people is a good thing because it provides them opportunities to have better housing. However, I feel that adequate steps will have to be considered to ensure that these families would not be unnecessarily disrupted. Sir, the other dilemma I see is that we have an over-supply of 3-room flats in many outlying new towns and many of these flats are not taken up. I do not know what plans are there for these flats to be taken up or be allocated to people. Some of these flats may never be bought because they are in places which are out- side the suburban precincts. Unless one allows for three-tier families to have special arrangements to purchase these flats and convert them into 4-room type where they can accommodate their multi-tier family members, such flats that are available in the outlying areas will remain unallocated. I would want to know what specific plans will be made to encourage people to take up these flats. Otherwise we will have quite a lot of resources tied up. This will be what we call the non-performing assets. I view that such resources could be better deployed if we could work out a scheme to allow these flats to be taken. The other issue that I would like to raise is with regard to the urban renewal policy. Much of the urban renewal policy relating to the central city area would need to be reviewed.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head T be reduced by $10 in respect of Subhead TA-01 of the Main Estimates.* Sir, I would like to open up a number of issues with the Minister in response to some of the topics that have been raised. Sir, it is indeed reassuring to know that the Minister will look into ways to minimize the difficulties of the people affected by relocation. HDB manages about 20% of HDB flats under the rental scheme. The number of 1- and 2-room units is around 108,770 as at March 1986. Not all the people living in these rental units are able to make it to home-ownership or even under the relocation scheme. With the waiver of deposit they will be able to enjoy the plans under relocation. This is because of financial difficulties, old age with very little savings, some of them are on contract employment and others have unsteady incomes. Most of them whom I know earn salaries of less than $800 a month. Sir, I see that it will be realistic at least within the HDB policy to assess the extent to which rental flats need to be retained. I know that it is our aim to ensure that we achieve full home-ownership for all but I think there are some of them who would not be able to get into home ownership not because they cannot get on to it but simply because they do not have the means to do so. This current resettlement scheme is likely to unsettle some of the low-income families. If they are going to be resettled into other estates and new towns it is going to incur a greater burden to these families that have children. From what I know, there are operational implications. Taking my constituency into consideration, it has eight blocks to be affected. People living in these blocks are are going to be resettled.”
“Sir, does this service justify the need for an increase in the A & E fees?”
“Sir, will special education continue to be the responsibility of MOE?”
“If the third child concept is to be promoted, why not increase the amount to $1,500 in order to register the importance that we are promoting the third child concept. Sir, on the area of leave of absence, both the public and the private sectors must be encouraged to be flexible in the provision of leave of absence for working mothers who have long term child care problems. Sir, working mothers in the public sector need an assurance that if they go on leave of absence to take care of their young children, they would not later be treated as redundant when they do reapply to return: this is especially so when the public sector is cutting manpower by 10%, and unless this reassurance is given to these working mothers, I think the procreation policy may not work as effectively as it should. Sir, on the problem of overwhelming response to procreation, have we thought what we would do if there is an overwhelming response? Would the Government then subsequently decide that we have had enough and we should retract and go back to the two-child policy? I think this is one area where people are still very skeptical and they would like a reassurance on this. Sir, finally, with regard to incentives to promote services. Sir, the promotion of services overseas is rather important as it will widen our market. What promotional activities will benefit from tax incentives besides those by the manufacturing sector? Sir, with that viewpoint, I support the motion. 12.38 pm”
“This is to enable parents to attend to their children in the event they fall sick. (2) To provide flexible working hours, where necessary, to housewives. (3) Increase the number and the quality of child-care facilities, particularly at workplaces. (4) To strengthen the family day- care programme because family day-care programme provides a more personal attention to children. Sir, the monetary incentives for enhancing procreation are directed at the top 5% of the wage earners which account for about 40,000 people. This emphasis may not produce the procreation effect because this group of people are more concerned about the responsibilities of parenthood and the psychology of parenthood. They are not concerned about procreation itself. Sir, how many people would benefit from this special tax rebate of $20,000 for the new-born third child? If the Government is serious about family formation and procreation, it must then direct its effort at encouraging people with less children to have more. It is therefore necessary besides non-financial incentives to increase the enhanced child relief to 20% for the third and fourth child. As you all know, having more children means there is an increased burden of child care, and if we are going to encourage people to have the third and fourth child, more incentives should be given to relieve this child care burden. Sir, what would be the anticipated tax loss to the Government in implementing this special tax rebate and enhanced child relief for the fourth child? Sir, the child relief for the third child is raised by $250. This is not enough to buy even three months' supply of milk powder.”
“Even with the best child care, parents still worry about whether it will provide the warmth and support of the child who is left behind. Sir, in a recent study of corporate women officers in the US, the respondents ranked quality time with children as the primary personal sacrifice. Sir, we need to have more than monetary incentive to overcome parents' guilt and concern over the effects of having children and of not being able to care for them adequately. Sir, it is the executive guilt that I think we will have to deal with. I feel that unless we are able to deal with this executive guilt, the procreation policy may not necessarily work. Sir, may I quote from a study done by Fortune on this aspect. It states: 'Parents generally do not wear their guilt on their sleeves. Those answering the Fortune survey were no exceptions. Most said that they were very satisfied with the child care solutions they had found and were convinced that children of dual career couples are more independent, more socially adept and have interesting role models of parents. But they also admitted to many anxieties. 61% worried that their children were rushed to conform to the parents' schedule and 57% were concerned that their children did not get enough attention.' Sir, these are some of the crucial issues which, I think, parents, who want to have additional children, will be confronted with. I feel that unless and until more non-monetary incentives could be designed and implemented, we may not actively deal with the whole problem of procreation. What more non-monetary incentives are being planned by the Government? The current monetary incentives are not too attractive. Further steps could be taken by: (1) Increasing the unrecorded leave to 30 days.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in view of the time constraint, I will try and be as precise as possible. I would like to share the viewpoints expressed by my colleagues on how to stimulate the economy. What is important I think is to examine critically the various assets held by GLCs and see how such assets can be redeployed to activate the private economy. Sir, turning to the procreation budget, I would like to make some observations. Firstly, I would like to commend the Minister for implementing various policy measures to encourage procreation in order to arrest the declining birth rate. I feel that he is moving into uncertain waters and I hope that his venture will produce results. Sir, the whole subject is a very elusive area because it touches on personal decisions, not necessarily influenced by monetary incentives. One housewife gave a very graphic account. She said, "Do you think we will respond like vending machines to tokens? You have a hope. I hope that your policies will work. It has come too late too little." This is an account given by one of the housewives. On reflection, I think she has a point. But in any case, we will have to try and see how we can institute more non-monetary incentives to help people see how they can participate in reversing the declining population. Sir, there is this social and psychological cost which outweighs the benefits arising from the tangible monetary incentives that have been allocated. Rational behaviour therefore dictates that people tend to look at these issues before trying to get on with the issue of procreation. Sir, more parents are now reflecting whether the monetary incentives, high salary, extra-professional recognition, can make up for leaving behind an upset child each morning.”
“Sir, as the Polyclinic is being overused, what steps are being taken to cut down the waiting time at the Polyclinic?”
“Sir, what cost-control measures are being undertaken by the Ministry to ensure that the cost of hospital services will not go up?”
“Sir, would not waiving the deposit help to reduce the problem of over supply of flats that we face at the moment and at the same time help to upgrade the social conditions of these people who are living in 1- and 2-room flats?”