Tang See Chim
Singapore
“In this Bill, Sir, 4 1/2 pages of the Bill out of 20 1/2 pages are devoted to the definition of terms used in the Bill and almost every other clause defines one term or another. Finally, Sir, what about the agent of the corrupt person, the go-between, the abettor of the crime?”
“Sir, maybe it was a misplaced metaphor. Maybe I should say a skunk smells just as evil by any other name. This is exactly the position. There is no point your telling us that conditions have now returned to normal when manufacturers are asked to pay a higher rental. They have to compete.”
“Sir, the Minister said that he has not increased rent but he just revalued the value of the land. This is exactly the same as increasing rent. I mean you call a rose a rose. You increase the rent whether you call it the rent or call it the base value of the property. To the manufacturer, it is still the same.”
“The Senior Parliamentary Secretary said that the rent demanded by the JTC is comparable to that for private premises outside. But I think the JTC has almost a monopoly on industrial property. I just do not see how the Senior Parliamentary Secretary could make such a comparison.”
“Sir, the difference is that once they get the entry visa, they will be allowed permanent residence in the United Kingdom. Whereas here, we may allow them to enter for two weeks and after that we will turf them out. Also, may I just take up this further point.”
“Sir, I just want to take up with the Minister on the regulations he read out from the booklet. Indeed, if all those conditions are met, the person will be given an entry clearance and then he will be able to enter the United Kingdom.”
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“Mr Speaker, Sir, while this question should properly be directed to the Minister for Labour, I suppose I can just say a few words. There is evidence recently that there is some shortage of skilled labour. The Government is taking all necessary steps to remedy this situation. UNIFORMED CIVIL SERVANTS (Change of uniforms) 2. Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Finance whether it is intended to change the uniforms of the other uniformed civil servants besides Police and Customs officers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolution." Question put, and agreed to. Resolution accordingly agreed to. 4.10 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported - That the sum of $1,127,000 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st January, 1969, to 31st March, 1970, contained in Paper Cmd. 24 of 1969.”
“I do not think so, Sir. FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN OF NON-CITIZEN PERMANENT RESIDENTS 4. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Education whether free primary education will be given to children born in the Republic of parents who are non-citizens but are permanent residents.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, all cases will be considered on their merits. Unless the Member can give a particular case, I cannot really answer his question. To do so would, in fact, just be an academic exercise.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, each application will be considered on its merits. Unless the applicant lists his special circumstances, I will not be able to tell the Member whether or not the application will be approved. But if he has any particular application in mind, perhaps he will send it to the appropriate authority who will no doubt consider it.”
“As I said, Mr Speaker, Sir, the interest rates for housing loans are very low. Also, these loans are primarily meant to help Government officers who do not own houses. If they already had housing loans, normally their applications would not be approved unless there were special circumstances.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is as follows: (a) Up to 30th September, 1969, 992 applications for loans amounting to $22,721,460 were received. (b) A total of 771 applications for loans amounting to $16,775,770 were approved. Ninety-two applications for loans amounting to $2,013,400 were withdrawn. Thirty-five applications for loans amounting to $810,180 are under consideration. (c) Applications are rejected where the applicant is ineligible under the Government Officers' Housing Loan Scheme, e.g. where the applicant already owns a house, and has previously been granted a loan to purchase a house. (d) Each case is considered on its merits. As a general rule, because the interest rates are low and the Scheme is intended to assist those who do not own houses, the exchanging of houses for bigger ones is not allowed, unless there are exceptional circumstances.”
“PORT OF SINGAPORE AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.30 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am happy to note that both the Members for Sembawang and Ulu Pandan support this Bill. I need not reply to the Member for Sembawang because he fully supports the Bill, except possibly on the question of appointment of experts to the Board. In my opinion, experts should serve only in a consultative capacity. They may not necessarily be the correct persons to be appointed to serve on the Board. Coming to the point raised by the Member for Ulu Pandan who advocated unregulated free enterprise, I am afraid that this cannot be allowed in Singapore. The Minister for Finance had very adequately answered his question on the free establishment of iron and steel mills some time ago, and had pointed out why an unregulated free-for-all system cannot be allowed here. At present, our economy is doing very well and our industrialisation programme is progressing very satisfactorily. In fact, we are now in a position to be choosy and to decide on what sort of industries that will best benefit our economy and to allow only such industries to be established here, rather than allow every Tom, Dick and Harry to come here and open a factory to manufacture anything they wish. Mr Speaker, Sir, this Bill seeks to give greater flexibility to the Minister to appoint members of the Board and also to give the Board the powers to set standards for our industrial goods to ensure that only quality goods are made so that we can gain a strong foothold in the export market. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Tang See Chim]. Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.”
“Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for Communications (a) whether the existing sealanes leading in and out of the Port of Singapore are adequate to cope with the increasing volume of sea traffic: (b) whether there are sufficient experienced pilots to ensure the safe movements of vessels in Singapore waters: and (c) whether all individual pilots and tugs are now equipped with portable transceivers.”
“Though the figures gathered by the Ministry of Labour are not comprehensive, they nevertheless reflect the expansion in employment opportunities and therefore are a manifestation of the increasing success of Government's policy of rapid industrialisation. It is also pertinent to point out that during the first five months of 1968, 27 pioneer firms and 23 non-pioneer firms went into production in Jurong, bringing the total number of firms in production to 240 as compared with 198 for the same period in 1967. Employment by these firms at the end of September 1968 was 22,800 as compared with 16,800 for the same period in 1967, i.e., an increase of 6,000 persons or 35.7 per cent. Further, a recent survey indicates that Singapore needs some 35,000 technicians and other skilled workers by 1972. In addition, the growing electronic industry alone is expected to require some 20,000 operatives within the next few years. The hon. Member will see from these figures that there is every cause for satisfaction with the results of Government's policy of industrialisation. Indeed the problem today is that, with increasing employment opportunities. particularly in the skilled categories, there is a shortage of trained operatives and other workers. When this problem is solved in time. Singapore may be faced not with the problem of unemployment but with a shortage of labour in general. SEA TRAFFIC IN SINGAPORE WATERS 4.”
“I can assure the Member for Jurong that speedy consideration will be given to this matter. But I hope he is aware that the problem involves three Ministries - the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance. The problem was first studied at the beginning of the year and it involves not only money but also the questions of additional hospital facilities, recruiting professional staff, etc. I can assure the Member that a decision will be made as soon as is practicable. EMPLOYMENT FIGURES AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES 3. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour if he will furnish the employment figures gathered by the Ministry of Labour from 1st January, 1967, up to the latest convenient date; and whether he is satisfied with the expansion in employment opportunities created by the Government's policy of rapid industrialisation. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour (Mr Sia Kah Hui) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, the employment figures gathered by the Ministry of Labour that are now available cover only workmen, shop assistants, clerks and industrial clerks. According to these figures, the total number in employment was in: March 1967 - 208,565 September 1967 - 213,733 March 1968 - 222,044 September 1968 - 226,754. The increase in employment in September 1968 over that in March 1967 was, therefore, 18,189. The growth in employment occurred mainly in the manufacturing sector where the number in employment increased by 10,546 between March 1967 and September 1968.”
“The recommendation of the Salaries Commission was "that consideration should be given to the possibility of extending to Government-Aided Teaching Personnel the Medical Benefits applicable to Government School Teachers". The Ministries of Education, Health and Finance have been considering this question since the beginning of the year. In the course of study of this question, it was noted that if medical benefits applicable to Government teachers were extended to aided school teachers, it would not be possible to exclude non-teaching staff of aided schools. If all staff of aided schools are to be included, the estimated cost would be about $1.22 million per annum. Apart from the question of cost, it will be necessary to increase the staff and facilities of Government hospitals and clinics in order to cope with the increased work-load. There is also the question whether aided school staff should be required to undergo the same medical examinations, including X-ray of the chest, that civil servants have to undergo before appointment before they are allowed the proposed medical benefits. These and other related problems are being studied, and it is not possible to come to a decision until these problems are resolved.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the intention of the Jurong Town Corporation to sell some of the fiats now under construction to those working in Jurong Town. The conditions of sale will be similar to the home ownership scheme introduced by the Housing and Development Board. The Jurong Town Corporation took this decision in September 1968. NATIONAL SERVICE (Reduction of period for graduates with specialist qualifications) 3. Mr Lee Teck Him asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider reducing the period of national service from two years to six months for graduates who have specialist qualifications.”
“We should move slowly towards this position and are, in fact, doing so. When occupiers of quarters retire, or resign or are dismissed, it is the intention not to rent out these quarters to other employees but rent them out to the public at economic rents. Civil servants should be encouraged to own their own houses, and more and more of them are in fact doing so. I agree that some of the more ancient quarters could with advantage be pulled down to make way for high-rise flats. Their occupants can be moved to comfortable Housing Board flats. This is true not only for quarters in Haig Road and Farrer Park but also elsewhere.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the non-receipt of renewal forms by radio and television licence-holders has been in vestigated. Over 17,000 licences are renewed each month, and the number of reports of non-receipt of renewal forms is about 200 or 3 per cent. Generally, the non-receipt of renewal forms is through the failure of the licensees to inform the Department of their change of address. Failure to notify change of address is in itself an offence but so far no one has been prosecuted. Where a licence-holder gives reasonable grounds for failure to renew his licence, no prosecution is instituted. A licence may be renewed one month before the valid licence expires. GOVERNMENT QUARTERS (Replacement of old quarters by multi-storey flats) 7. Mr Tay Boon Too asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that some Government quarters, for example, those in the Haig Road and Farrer Park areas, are old and are rented out to civil servants at uneconomic rents, and if he will consider pulling down such quarters and erecting multi-storey flats instead, so that more families of civil servants can be accommodated and more rents collected. Dr Goh Keng Swee: Mr Speaker, Sir, the provision of quarters for civil servants is a colonial practice which we have inherited and have been unable to terminate because this involves a reduction of perquisites enjoyed by occupiers of these quarters. It seems to be an enshrined principle that no civil servant shall have his conditions of service made worse off in any circumstances, though I cannot find any authority either in law or in the Constitution for this principle. Governments of modern states do not provide quarters at low rents to government employees except in special cases, such as military camps, lighthouses and so on.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government has made a study of the United Kingdom Trade Descriptions Act. 1968, and feels there is no immediate need to introduce similar legislation in Singapore. General principles embodied in the United Kingdom Act, particularly those provisions prohibiting misdescription or counterfeiting of goods, are already covered by the following Singapore Ordinances: (1) Trade Marks Ordinance; (2) Merchandise Marks Ordinance; and (3) Sale of Food and Drugs Ordinance. As far as the new provisions are concerned, such as false or misleading indications as to the price of goods and the power given to United Kingdom officials to impose requirements in the description of goods in advertisements, and the power to assign meanings to certain expressions, it is considered too early at present to decide whether to incorporate them into our law, since our existing laws are working fairly efficiently and are adequate to deal with the situation. The Government would therefore prefer to wait and see how the new legislation works out in the United Kingdom so that if we eventually decide to incorporate the new provisions into our own law, we would have the benefit of their experience. IRON AND STEEL MILL 5. Mr Lee Teck Him asked the Minister for Finance if he will encourage the setting up of another iron and steel mill in Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the recent amendments to the Stamp Ordinance only alter the rates of stamp duties payable on documents. These amendments should not increase the workload on the Stamp Office, once the rates are gotten used to. There is therefore no permanent increased pressure on the Stamp Office as a direct result of the amendments to the Stamp Ordinance. In December, however, there was a rush to stamp documents before the increased duties came into force in January 1969. But that was a temporary pressure which has eased off. However, hon. Members may be happy to hear that shortly after the coming into force of the amending Act, the Organisation and Methods Branch of the Ministry of Finance was asked to make a study of the system at the Stamp Office with a view to increasing its efficiency and to giving the public better service. As a result of this study, it has been decided to provide three more Assistant Examiners for the Stamp Office and to install two more franking machines. This should further improve the services at the Stamp Office. Arrangements are also in hand for more documents to be stamped by franking machines, so that these docu ments do not have to be brought to the Stamp Office, thereby reducing the workload at the counter. TRADE DESCRIPTIONS ACT, 1968, OF UNITED KINGDOM (Introduction of similar legislation in Singapore) 4. Mr P. Selvadurai asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing legislation similar to the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, of the United Kingdom.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, every property on the Valuation List should be valued in the same manner. From time to time, the Chief Assessor corrects the Valuation List to remove anomalies which are brought to his attention. Due to the considerable workload in the department, it has not been possible to correct all the anomalies that arose from earlier valuations by the City Council and the Rural Board. There are instances where values shown on the Valuation List have to be corrected for individual houses in the same area, but care is taken to ensure that the property tax payable is the same. If the Member for Telok Blangah will write to me on specific cases that he comes across, I will see to it that the anomalies are corrected.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. NATIONAL MUSEUM (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 2.40 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY (NO. 3) BILL Order for Second and Third Readings read. 2.38 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY (NO. 2) BILL Order for Second and Third Readings read. 2.36 p.m.”
“Head 0501 - The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Teong Eng Siong - (1) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, briefly, the provision under the subhead for population census is to provide funds for the planning and preparatory work for the main census of population scheduled for June 1970. A Census Unit has been established and work relating to the preparation of the census will have to be carried out in 1969. This involves the preparation of census schedules, manuals of instructions and training programmes, detailed programmes of field operations, tabulation schemes as well as the preparation of field maps for census enumeration. In addition, a trial census will also be undertaken by about the middle of 1969. The funds are mainly required for the recruitment of office and field staff, programmers and draftsmen, and for the expenses relating to the purchase of some office equipment, stationery and materials required for mapping work and other incidental expenses. The operation of the census is a large undertaking. It is estimated that about 3,000 field enumerators and supervisory staff will be needed to carry out the field operation. As the census involves enumerating every single person in the Republic, its success will depend on the full co-operation of members of the public as well as the various public and private organisations and institutions. The assistance of Members of Parliament, members of the Citizens' Consultative Committees, business and other community leaders will be requested. Full publicity will be given to the census operations in due course. Mr Ng Yeow Chong: Sir, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $2,088,790 for Head 0409 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, payments of fees on documents to be processed and approved by the Imports and Exports Office can be made either by Singapore postage stamps or by franking machine impressions. These methods of payment are more convenient for the trading community than the payment of cash for each document to be processed. Such methods of payment not only save the Imports and Exports Office the work connected with cash handling, receipt issuing and other related work, but also result in fewer procedures in processing the documents. However, the work of the Postal Department will be increased in that it has to take care of the postage stamp requirements of the trading community for import and export purposes, and it has to reconcile the accounts it keeps for each user of the franking machine with the records of the Imports and Exports Office. For all the non-postal work involved, the Postal Department is, therefore, paid a commission of one per cent of the total amount collected by these methods. In 1968 new fees of $10 were introduced for (1) import licences, and (2) urgent processing of permits and licences. Also the fees for declarations were increased from $1 to $2. Both these new and revised fees will result in increased collections. The collection estimated for 1969 by these methods is $2,850,000. Therefore, the commission payable is $28,500.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this sum of $155,530 is for two valuers on contract and ten clerical assistants. There is a shortage of valuers in Singapore, because, under present-day conditions, the private sector is extremely attractive. In answer to the Member for Changi on the question of property tax earlier on, I said we were short of staff. We must recruit additional staff so that annual values can be revised and the rates of property tax can be rationalised. The intention is to obtain such valuers on contract, either locally or from overseas. The ten clerical assistants have been provided for to assist in speeding up the numbering of houses and their valuation. The officers are appointed from lists submitted by the Public Service Commission. Provision has also been made for additional posts that will be required to clear the arrears. As regards the short-term requirements for additional staff, it is considered desirable to utilise temporary staff. When the requirement becomes permanent, consideration will be given to the creation of permanent posts.”
“The Government is not considering the offer of an amnesty to tax-dodgers. The whole purpose of setting up the Anti-Evasion Unit is to catch tax-dodgers, that the tax which they had evaded should be extracted from them and that they be brought to book.”
“As in other countries, it is felt that there are members of the public who attempt to evade paying income tax by not making a full disclosure of their sources of income. It is felt, however, that every effort should be made to plug the loopholes in the law to prevent tax evasion wherever possible rather than to raise the tax rates in order to increase the total revenue. Hence an Anti-Evasion Unit with advanced methods of investigation to detect tax evasion is being set up. This should serve as a warning to tax-dodgers. Mr Ng Yeow Chong: The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance has not answered my question whether we can work out a solution whereby hidden capital can be attracted to come out for investment.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this is for services rendered by the Malaysian Government in connection with the collection of income tax due to the Singapore Government by persons or companies resident in Malaysia prior to the 1st of January, 1966. This is in respect of cases which have not been finalised and which are still under investigation or study. The separate assessment of tax was effected as from the 1st of January, 1966. It is a reciprocal arrangement with the Malaysian Government and it has worked out satisfactorily. So far, the sum for such services paid by the Malaysian Government to the Singapore Government has exceeded the sum paid by the Singapore Government to the Malaysian Government, except in 1968. It is expected, however, that this year the sum to be paid to the Malaysian Government may exceed the sum that we can get in return. The sum in excess cannot be accurately assessed at the moment. Hence the provision of the token vote of $10.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the annual value of a property is based upon the rental that it can let out for a year. This is a statutory requirement. However, in the assessment of properties in the rural areas, the values are, in fact, considerably lower than those of the same properties in the city area. Besides, the people in the rural area pay a lower rate of assessment than those in the city area. On this score, I do not think the Member for Sembawang can complain. On the question of concessionary rates for attap houses, the rate of $6 is still granted, on application, to owner-occupiers of dwelling houses made of wood and attap. If the roof of a house needs replacement because of wear and tear, the owner-occupier should bear in mind to replace it with attap instead of zinc. If he decides to renovate it and make extensions to the house, as is normally done in the rural areas, how can he complain when an official of the Property Tax Department reassesses the property and raises the annual value? In this case the character of the property is changed and it can be let out at a higher rental than before.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the work load has increased so much that it is considered short-sighted to economise on the staff of the Inland Revenue Department. The work of this department has increased since it took on these responsibilities - the provision of economic incentives legislation, the amendments to the Income Tax Act and the increasing number of double-taxation agreements. All these add to the complexities of the administration of the Income Tax Act. The requirements of the department had not been adequate earlier on, and after a thorough study it was decided that, having regard to the needs of the department, it was essential to increase the number of staff. Further increases may be necessary as requirements change.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, to answer the Member for Anson, the work load relating to the legal aspects of taxation has increased very considerably over the year. More sophisticated legislation has been introduced, particularly the provisions for incentives. The amount of litigation has also increased. There are more instances where counsel are employed by the taxpayers. Records in the department show that the increase in revenue arising from the utilisation of legal officers concentrating on income tax and property tax matters, is a handsome reward compared to the additional emoluments involved. This should he comfortable news to the Member for Changi. While the Attorney-General's Chambers provide general legal advice, it is desirable to have a legal officer in certain departments where highly specialised and technical interpretations of the law are required. Sir, you will agree that the income tax law is a very technical and specialised branch of the law and, therefore, the increase of these two posts is necessary.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as usual, Members of Parliament would like to have their cake and eat it too. I was hoping that the Member for Changi would rise and say something on this amendment but, of course, he conveniently keeps quiet. The Member for Changi criticises us for not recruiting staff for the Department of Inland Revenue and says that the people who should pay tax were not taxed. We are, in fact, recruiting staff. The posts of two legal officers for the Inland Revenue Department have been increased to four and the Member for Anson criticises us for increasing the number of posts. I think there is also a further amendment by the Member for Anson querying the increase in the number of posts of Assistant Examiners. So they must make up their minds what they want the Government to do. They cannot have their cake and eat it too.”
“I think I would be very foolhardy to make such a statement, Sir. However fine the net, some will definitely escape. May I also draw the Member for Katong's attention to the fact that 1965 was immediately after the ending of confrontation. So the projection of an increase of 8,000 persons a year may not be right because the economy was buoyant for the years 1966, 1967 and 1968. Surely we are dealing with very technical matters. I think we might as well wait for the latest report. However, if the Member for Katong would like to discuss this matter further, I am quite prepared. As I said, Sir, it is quite impossible for me at the moment to say whether his figures are right or wrong. I can only throw some light on the basis of how the figures are arrived at, and also to say that not every able-bodied person in Singapore has got to pay income tax even if he is employed. Because of our Government's socialist principles, we do not tax those who cannot bear it. The tax net does not pull in anybody with an income lower than $500 with two children and a wife to support.”
“Sir, a person who, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Inland Revenue, is liable to tax will be sent a form and he has got to fill it up accordingly. Even if he does not earn any income, he has got to make a nil return. And then, according to the return, if the Commissioner of Inland Revenue has information that he has, in fact, got income which is taxable, he will be called on to pay the tax. If he tries to evade, he will be charged in court. I am afraid I will not be able to dispute the figures quoted by the Member for Katong. I do not know how he arrived at the projection of 90,000 persons. Perhaps he should look at the definition of these figures. It could be that they mean individual residents, then people who are partners in a trading firm or if they are sole proprietors, perhaps they would not be included. I am not quite sure because I am not conversant with the figures. But I will look into them. In any case, the Member should bear in mind that our tax rates are such that unless a person, who has a wife and two children, earns more than $500 a month, he will not be liable to tax. If that is the case, he will not be included in the figures the Member has just quoted. In fact, it is quite dangerous to base one's calculations simply on the population figure and then refer to the report for 1965 and make one's own projections. Anybody can make his own projections. He projects it to 90,000 and I can project it to 120,000. He would not be able to say that my projection is wrong and that his is right.”
“Sir, does the member want me to clarify what I have spoken? I am coming to his question. Anyway, I am prepared to give way.”
“Sir, I shall first deal with the question of property tax as raised by the Members for Changi and Serangoon Gardens. A study is being made in the Ministry with a view to revising and rationalising, as I said the other day, the annual values as well as the rates of property tax. At present, the Property Tax Department is grossly understaffed, and when the necessary recruitment is done, things should get better. As far as income tax is concerned, it is agreed that all persons who earn sufficient money to be liable to income tax should pay tax. Under the Ordinance, a person liable to income tax charges is required to submit a return of his income. This procedure applies whether the person involved is a hawker or a pirate taxi-driver. If there is information reaching the Income Tax Department that such persons are evading tax or are liable to tax, the normal procedure of calling them to submit the information is followed.”
“Food-stalls are also available at each toddy shop for their drinking pleasure. So far the system seems to be working satisfactorily and no specific requests have been received for any improvement. As far as the question of attracting tourists is concerned, I think the Member is barking up the wrong tree. Mr Speaker, Sir, tourists do not go for toddy. In any case, there is canned toddy. If tourists do want to visit a toddy shop, possibly they might like the atmosphere. To them it may be quaint. That may be the attraction. If you improve it and make it look like an ordinary coffee shop or an ordinary cafe, it may cease to be an attraction.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government has provided sufficient benches for the drinkers' comfort. There are also toilet facilities for them. If the customers do not prefer the benches, they can drink while standing or move about in the open spaces provided for them.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, with the establishment of missions abroad, nine properties have so far been purchased and 17 properties have been acquired on lease. Two properties were purchased in 1967. They were: - (1) the residence for the High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur for the sum of $325,000; (2) the residence for the Ambassador in Washington for the sum of $400,783. As more missions are to be established, it is necessary to make provision for the purchase or rental of properties.”
“Participation in such international and specialised trade fairs in 1969 is being organised by the Export Promotion Centre with the advice and help of the Trade Division of the Ministry of Finance. Plans have been drawn up to encourage local manufacturers to participate actively in important specialised trade fairs, especially those in Eastern Europe, for example, the Moscow Clothing Fair. At this juncture of our industrialisation, it is important for the Government to encourage industrialists and exporters to participate in trade fairs by meeting part of the expenses. Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the detailed explanation given by the Parliamentary Secretary, I beg leave to withdraw. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, a substantial part of the sum of $375,000 will be spent on fairs overseas. It will be spent as follows: (1) the Second Asian International Trade Fair in Teheran - estimated sum is $200,000; and (2) other fairs overseas - $150,000. 5.45 p.m. The second Asian International Trade Fair to be held in Teheran in 1969 would be on the same scale as the First Asian International Fair held in Bangkok in 1966 in which Singapore participated and on which a total sum of over $140,000 was spent. It is estimated that our participation in the Teheran Fair will cost about $200,000, considering the additional transportation charges and the corresponding increase in expenditure to be incurred in setting up and maintaining the Singapore Pavilion at that fair. Furthermore, the number of Government representatives to the fair will have to be increased because we do not have any diplomatic staff in Teheran, as we have in Bangkok, to provide the necessary assistance. The rest of the provision is reserved for other trade fairs. Plans have not yet been finalised on the number and type of fairs in which we will be parti cipating in 1969. Participation in each fair will be determined, among other things, by the response from local manufacturers and traders as well as the benefits which might be expected from such participation. For instance, we are currently considering invitations to participate in the 33rd International Exhibition Market for handicraft pro ducts in Florence as well as the Tripoli and Sydney Trade Fairs which are organised on an international scale. As existing industries get organised and get over that teething stage and more export-oriented industries go into operation, increasing emphasis will have to be placed on participation in inter national trade fairs.”
“Yes, the law of averages, as the Minister for Communications said - the law of averages works. Certain cases are bound to happen because of the large number of transactions that are going on, and this provision is just like a premium for an insurance.”
“Sir, the provision for losses of public money and stores is for the writing-off of losses which are unavoidable in any government structure. The vote is used for the write-off of irrecoverables, advances and salaries overpaid in cases of vacation of office, dismissals, etc. It is also used for the writing-off of loss of stamps, loss through foreign exchange, theft and the like. Where the loss is attributed to negligence, the officer concerned is asked to make good the loss or he is surcharged. Where the loss cannot be attributed to negligence, as, for instance, where there is a theft or a small fire, it is necessary for accounting purposes to write off the loss, and hence the provision in this vote. The Member for Anson must understand that in a big government structure, these incidents must occur. It is just like an insurance. Why should the Member for Anson pay his premium against accidents to his car? If he knows when an accident is going to occur, he can easily avoid the accident. Then why pay the premium? The same principle applies here. Because of the big government structure, the law”
“On the question of the differential in rentals raised by the Member for Mountbatten, it is, as you have rightly observed, Mr Speaker, Sir, not a matter which I am in a position to answer. All I can now say is that the differential may be due to the difference between the improved and the old types of flats. I would suggest that the Member for Mountbatten approach the Ministry of National Development and no doubt they will look into this matter. This is not passing the buck, Sir,If he likes, I can always enquire for him.”
“Sir, the budgeted provision of $10,333,750 is to cover a 15-month period from January 1969 to March 1970. The original estimated subsidy for 1969 was $8.2 million as against $7.8 million for 1968, which includes some $1.7 million (comprising $1 million for designing and supervising the erection of new buildings, $0.1 million for management of housing estates and $0.6 million for loan charges) representing the proposed accelerated building programme to be implemented to offset the effects of British forces withdrawal. This estimated subsidy was also computed before the decision allowing for the use of C.P.F. balances and contributions to purchase flats under the home ownership scheme and provided for estimated sales of 4,000 units of flats in 1969. To date, more than 4,200 C.P.F. contributors have applied to purchase flats with C.P.F. money and expected sales for 1969 are 10,000 units of flats - 5,000 new units and 5,000 existing units. Furthermore, loans to the Housing and Development Board are at 7� per cent interest per annum. But flat purchasers are only charged 6� per cent per annum on loans taken to buy flats under the home ownership scheme. On the question of subsidy generally, the major portion is in respect of one- and two-room flats let for rent, whereas flats sold are principally of the three-room type as one- and two-room units are not easily salable. As long as the level of one- and two-room flats let for rent remains as at present - 29,000 one-room units and 25,000 two-room units -the subsidy level will continue. But if the numbers of one- and two-room units that are at present rented are increased, the subsidy will have to increase.”
“Sir, the two watchmen's posts were abolished as the store at River Valley Road has been closed. The premises have now been taken over by the Economic Development Board. The two persons affected have been transferred to the Ministry of Education.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I will chip in a little bit just to dispose of the matter raised by the Member for Ulu Pandan. He blames the Minister for the faults of civil servants. That is very correct. The Minister must ultimately be responsible for his particular department. However, as the Minister for Law and National Development has said, unless details of the facts are given, it is very difficult for him to deal with them. May I also add that it is part of the democratic system that a Member of Parliament should also look after the people and that if he comes across instances of such behaviour by civil servants, like the plucking of rambutans from orchards without the permission of the owners, he should report them. In fact, he is duty bound to report such incidents. If he has not reported them, he has failed in his duty as a Member of Parliament and he has not done his duty to his constituents! Mr Lee Teck Him rose -”
“Member knows of any particular case in which civil servants are rude or adopt a bureaucratic attitude, perhaps he can give the necessary details, preferably to the Parliamentary Secretary in charge of the particular Ministry or to the Minister, or even to the head of department. On the question of communication between the various departments, the Government, as far as possible, tries to let its left hand know what its right hand is doing. Normally, correspondence is copied to another department that has an interest in the matter concerned. On the question of the unavailability of the Instruction Manual, I can only say that, as far as I am aware, copies of this manual have been distributed to all Division I officers as well as those in the Executive grade for reference in the day-to-day administration. Sufficient copies have also been approved for issue to various Ministries and departments, and regular reviews are also made of the distribution of the Instruction Manual. Additional copies of the manual are approved for issue if a need for them is established.”