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, the Member for Serangoon Gardens has enunciated principles on which I cannot disagree with him. He says that our civil service is efficient. The objective of the civil service is to serve the public and it should be both civil and helpful. The hon. Member quoted an example of somebody going to an officer and asking him, "Can such and such a thing be done?" and the officer replied, "I am sorry. It cannot be done." I think it depends on what the particular matter is. Sometimes certain matters can be said with finality that they cannot be done. In fact, that is the very idea of the delegation of authority that the Member for Serangoon Gardens has advocated. He cannot really have delegation of authority and yet be able to say, "The matter cannot be done. I will refer it to my superior." Surely that is passing the buck which the hon. Member is against. If a matter does not concern that particular department but another department, it is expected that the civil servant should know about it and be able to help the enquirer with the problem. For example, if an enquirer, by mistake, enters the Registrar of Citizens' Office and wants to renew his Identity Card, it is expected that the civil servant in that office should be able to advise the enquirer, "Sorry, this is not the office to come to. Will you please go next door to the National Registration Office? The officer there will be able to help you." This is expected of the civil servants and they are supposed to be helpful and courteous. If the hon.”
“I might mention that in the Economic Development Board there is the Industrial Research Unit which does research into the quality of goods. It also undertakes testing. But, of course, such testings are only done at the request of manufacturers. The consumers' association - the Member for Sembawang has said that he will invite the Minister for Finance to be its first president - can request the Industrial Research Unit to test the quality of goods and then inform its members of the range and quality of goods that are available to consumers in Singapore and thereby safeguard the interest of consumers. As regards the second suggestion that the E.D.B. should encourage small and medium-sized industries and not just the big ones, again I agree with her. But that is exactly what the E.D.B. is doing. In fact, in order to help small industries, the E.D.B. has set up the Light Industries Services Unit. The main object of this Unit is to service light and small industries. It also finances them provided, of course, they can make out a case and show that the projects they are promoting are, in fact, beneficial to Singapore and are in accordance with the Government's policy of industrialisation and providing jobs for its citizens. Madam Chan Choy Siong(In Mandarin): Sir, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. 4.30 p.m.”
“I do not think anyone can disagree with what the Member for Delta has said on what we should do. On the quality of goods, of course, we must ensure that our industries produce not only quality goods but also goods that are cheap and competitive in the international market. That is a basic principle of our industrialisation programme. What are the facts? The facts are that the textile industry in Singapore produces quality products that are so competitive both in the U.S.A. and in the U.K. markets that those markets cannot compete with us. They have to resort to restrictions. They have im posed a quota system as well as putting tariffs on our textiles. The same applies to Canada. In fact, not long ago we sent a team to Canada to negotiate with them on the amount of yardage that we can send to Canada in any one year. Actually all we ask for is that they open their market to us and we will be prosperous in Singapore. We can compete very well indeed with other countries. The point is that they do not allow our goods to go in. No doubt there are various qualities of products. As the Member for Delta herself has said, in the shops, some products are cheaper but their quality is not as good. In Singapore, we have a very wide range of goods. Take your pick. If you like better quality products, pay more for it. If you like cheaper quality goods, they are there. So the answer perhaps is as suggested by my Minister, that we set up a consumers' association which could compare whether the quality of a particular brand selling at so much warrants that price. Or whether the quality of a cheaper brand is comparable with another brand at the same price or at a lower price.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member for River Valley answered his own question by his last sentence. Indeed, during yesterday's Budget debate I quoted the retail price index which showed that, in fact, there was a decline in the retail price index from something like 113 points to 111 points. I have got a list here which I shall be only too happy to give to the hon. Member, and if he will also make available to me his list, I shall check up. If he is satisfied with my private answer later on, all will be well, otherwise he can always table another question. RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR 1969 (Reduction in provision) 7. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Finance, in view of the increase in expenditure on defence, whether he will give an assurance that there will be no reduction in the provision for the Rural Development Programme for 1969, so that the people in the rural areas will continue to benefit from rural development schemes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in order to answer the hon. Member's question, I have caused a survey to be taken of the prices of the following, which are the likely items of daily necessities the hon. Member has in mind. These items are: (1) toilet soap; (2) condensed milk; (3) singlets; (4) toilet papers; (5) shirts; (6) hair cream. The survey shows that there has been little change in the retail prices of the items before and after protection has been accorded. There has been no change in the prices of all the other items mentioned except for toilet soap. There is therefore no justification for the contention of the hon. Member for River Valley that prices of some items of daily necessities have gone up by more than 50 per cent. As for shirts - until recently there existed neither duty nor quantity restriction. Even now there is no quantity restriction. The complaints of higher prices are perhaps more the result of local consumers insisting on imported brands, on which protective tariffs have been imposed.”
“However, the Government would like to satisfy itself that new manufacturers have the necessary managerial, technical and marketing expertise required for successful operation of their enterprise. In all cases where a small number of licencees are authorised, a condition is imposed in regard to maintenance of quality as well as price variations. With regard to the second part of the question, Sir, the Government is always willing to give sympathetic consideration to any proposals for the setting up of plants to produce goods for export markets. In line with this policy, the Government is prepared to consider licensing new manufacturers if they are in a position to export their products overseas or, in the case of international manufacturers, they already have existing markets to which they have been exporting from other locations. It is, however, difficult to enforce compliance with undertakings given in respect of export performance. Accordingly, such undertakings are treated with reserve. CONTROL OF MANUFACTURE ORDINANCE, 1959 (Profiteering by manufacturers of goods specified in First and Second Schedules) 6. Mr Low Guan Onn asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that some existing manufacturers of goods specified in the First and Second Schedules to the Control of Manufacture Ordinance, 1959, are ex ploiting the captive market, and prices of some items of daily necessities have -gone up by more than 50 per cent, and what measures have been taken to curb this profiteering tendency which is at the expense of domestic consumers.”
“And a preliminary study is being conducted with the view to drawing up a master plan for the development and conversion of the area for civilian use according to the phased withdrawal of the military base and according to the estimated requirement of industrial land. At the present time, approximately 390 acres of swampy land within the Naval Base situated west of the Naval Dockyard are being surveyed and tenders for earth works in this area will soon be called. CONTROL OF MANUFACTURE ORDINANCE, 1959 (Government policy on setting up new factories to produce goods specified in First and Second Schedules) 5. Mr Low Guan Onn asked the Minister for Finance (a) what is the policy of the Government in regard to the setting up of new factories to produce goods or classes of goods specified in the First and Second Schedules to the Control of Manufacture Ordinance, 1959, where those goods are already being produced by existing factories; and (b) whether would-be investors will be allowed to set up new factories to produce such specified goods, on the condition that they can promote an export market for a proportion of their total production. Mr Tang See Chim (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, the licensing of new factories to manufacture products on the Control of Manufacture list where these products are already being produced by existing factories would depend on the volume and capacity production of such factories as the local market could bear. The Government is prepared to consider the issue of new licences if it is established that the production of existing manufacturers is not sufficient to cater for the needs and requirements of local consumers.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Economic Development Board survey, which covers all pioneer firms in Singapore and only those non-pioneer firms in Jurong, indicates the following situation for the period from 1st January to 31st October, 1968. Since the beginning of this year, 120 new factories were established, consisting of 61 pioneer firms and 59 non-pioneer firms in Jurong. Of these, 56, that is, 33 pioneer and 23 non-pioneer firms in Jurong, have already started production/operation. The remaining 28 pioneer and 36 Jurong non-pioneer firms are in various stages of implementation. As at October, 1968, the 56 firms in production had a total fixed capital investment of $56.3 million, and employed 3,679 workers. SEMBAWANG/WOODLANDS AREA (Development into industrial complex) 4. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the Government's plan to develop the Sembawang and Woodlands areas into an industrial complex. Mr Tang See Chim (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, approximately 6,000 acres of land in the Sembawang/Woodlands area, with existing housing, industrial and other facilities, together with waterfront land with access to a deep-sea channel, will be available for civilian use when the British withdraw from the Naval Base by 1971. These facilities, with suitable development and conversion, can provide sub stantial infra-structure for a potential industrial complex which would generate new activities to replace the old military activities and to absorb the labour force formerly employed in the military establishment. A naval dockyard has already been converted for civilian use.”
“Mr Speaker, it is gratifying to note that, due to the efforts made by the Ministry of Finance, we have been able to attract a large amount of investments into Singapore. I think this is a very important feature in the Finance Minister's Budget Statement. As a result of the continuous flow of foreign investments into Singapore, we are able to give more jobs to our people. Our economy is given another boost. I wish to draw the attention of the Finance Minister to the fact that amongst the investors coming to Singapore, there are very few women investors. As far as I know, there are many wealthy women in the world. Although these rich women are not so aggressive as their male counterparts, they are financially well off to be able to invest in our markets. We should not overlook them because of their lack of aggressive ness. If we are able to attract them to invest here, we can perhaps get additional substantial investments. As regards the women in our own country. the Finance Minister should find ways and means to encourage them to invest locally. This will be of great assistance to our national economy. For example, our women may have property like jewellery and other precious ornaments. They bought them because of the fear that their cash may be stolen. They bought them as a form of investment. This is because there has been no encouragement from the Government for our women to make proper investments. lf the Government can set up a women's investment bureau, perhaps our economy will be better off in future. I hope the Minister will give consideration to these problems. I give him my full support. 6.46p.m.”
“We are cutting down the provision of stand-pipes in order to encourage the rural people to install water- pipes in their own homes. The additional tax on public utility services will be a burden on the rural people who are already poor. They are, in fact, poorer than the urban people. They will thus hesitate to install water and electricity in their homes. As a result, they will not be able to enjoy these modern facilities. In my humble view, the Finance Minister should give further thought to the new forms of taxation. He should look further into the question before he makes a final decision. Is there no way of increasing revenue other than by increasing the levy on the public utility services? Cannot we impose additional taxes on luxury goods? Cannot we do it by way of purchase tax? In my view, it is only by increasing the taxes on luxury goods and purchase tax that we are able to get money from the rich. For example, refrigerators, air- conditioners, perfumes and cosmetics for women and a host of other luxury goods can be considered for tax increases. These are the articles used by the upper middle class or the middle class people. More revenue will come from these sources than from the levy on public utility services. According to statistics, the yield from this new tax on P.U.B, bills will amount to $11 million per annum. [f we were to substitute this tax with purchase tax and taxes on luxury goods, we might be able to get more money from the people who should be taxed. Our budget will then be nearer to perfection. It will then be in keeping with the Government's policy of looking after the majority of the people, particularly the poor.”
“We cannot assume that, because a family's P.U.B, bill is $20, it belongs to the well-to-do group and should be taxed accordingly. That is a wrong assumption to make. If we carry this assumption too far, it will give rise to a great deal of ill consequences. For example, consumers whose bills amount to $20 may be classified as the lower middle income group. In addition to the normal P.U.B, expenses, they will now have to pay these additional taxes. As a result of this increased burden, they will not allow their children to make use of electric lights for reading at night. They may have to switch to kerosene lamps. As a result, their eyes will suffer. We will then have more and more shortsighted people in Singapore in the future. Many families now use electricity or gas for cooking. The additional levy on public utility services will force them to use kerosene cookers or even bottled gas as a substitute. The additional cost of water will also induce them not to use sufficient water to wash their clothes clean. These are the adverse consequences we have to consider. Merchants and traders use neon lights for advertising purposes. However, we do not have to worry about the big businessmen. But what about the small businessmen? As a result of the increased cost of public utility services, they may pass on the increased cost to the consumers by raising the retail prices of goods and services. Consequently, the people will again suffer. Let us consider the rural areas. We are now encouraging the rural people to make more use of electricity and water. In other words, we are installing electricity in the rural areas. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] 6.40 p.m.”
“On this category a rate of five per cent is levied. In the view of the Finance Minister, consumers whose monthly bills range from $10 to $20 a month are quite well off financially and they should not be classified in the category of poor people. Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to point out, first of all, that this tax, as explained by the Finance Minister, is neither clearly defined nor evenly spread. In fact, consumers in the range of $10 to $20 per month can be included in the category of poor people. The majority of consumers in this range are poor and the additional tax will have an adverse effect on them. At least they will be affected psychologically. Those affected by this new tax are not rich people. They belong to the hard-toiling type of people. This burden is particularly felt amongst those who are not rich. For example, if a family uses $20 worth of public utility services a month, we can say that it belongs to the $300 income group. But we must not forget that human beings need water and lighting. A bigger family will, therefore, need a greater supply of water and electricity even though its income is only about $300 per month. If you take a family in the $300 income group which has eight members, the consumption will be substantial. In other words, the consumption rate of public utilities is no indication of the financial position of the family. I am fully aware of the fact that tenants in Housing Board flats use more public utility services than those whose monthly P.U.B, bills come up to $10. This is because of the size of their family. But their income may be within the range of $200 to $300 per month. They are now worried about the new tax because of the size of their family. They are worried about the high cost of public utility services.”
“Although Marx said that the use of currency will die out one day, it was Lenin who did not oppose the use of currency - "The Central Economic Planning Committee is in the sole control of the country's finances." it means that it is not enough to depend on political influence alone to solve the financial problem of a country. According to this analysis, it is clear that the Minister for Finance had already taken into account both the financial administration and practical factors before he presented the Budget to this House. He was able to balance both these factors to a certain degree. When elaborating on the seven new taxes and adjustments to the old taxes, he said that in imposing a tax on P.U.B, bills, some consideration would be given to the industrial use of public utilities. This is in order not to reduce the competitive position of the local industries. The Minister has also proposed to exempt industries from the new levy on public utility services. In other words, the new tax will not hamper our economic growth and industrial expansion. All this is being done to attract more foreign investments and to make our goods competitive in price. However, we must turn our thoughts to these new taxes. In my view, there is one outstanding feature about them. The emphasis on the burden of the tax is on the poor people. The Finance Minister gave an explanation for increasing the rate of tax on public utility services. I will now dwell on this explanation. According to him, there will be about 25 per cent of the consumers who will fall within the category of those whose PUB, bills do not exceed $10 per month. 6.32p.m. This category is exempted from the new tax. Those consumers whose bills fall between $10 and $20 a month constitute about 32 per cent of the total consumers.”
“What is very precious is that we have shrewd economists like the Minister for Finance. We are relieved to know before Christmas that there is nothing worse in the Budget. We have been fortunate in not following in the footsteps of some of our neighbouring countries whose economy is on the verge of collapse. This is because of the prudence of our Minister for Finance and of the precautions which have been taken by our Government. This is something of which we are proud. Therefore, Mr Speaker, Sir, you will agree with me that if there is a Nobel Prize for a Minister for Finance, our Minister for Finance deserves to win it! The future development of our country still needs the collective effort of persons like the Minister for Finance and other Ministers. I am sure that Singapore will shine like a beacon in turbulent Southeast Asia. On the whole, the new tax proposals affect only a minority of people. 'There is nothing much to criticise about the new taxes. But from the financial point of view, I think there is some defect. The basis of taxation should be reviewed. The only fair way of going about it is to impose taxes propor tionately on the people who are able to bear them. The burden of taxation must be fairly distributed. The raising of revenue must not be the sole factor. Taxation must also reflect the financial policy of the State. The trend of modern economics is just the economics of finance and nothing else. This is a very weak foundation, in other words, the development of commerce and industry cannot be divorced from financial factors imposed by financiers.”
“Sir, I am afraid that what I am going to say has been said by other Members. However, I would like to enlarge on what they have said. When the Minister for Finance warned that the next Budget would not be painless, people from all walks of life were mystified. They were worried that in, future they would be asked to bear more taxes. This is only natural because everyone knows that the British forces will be withdrawn from Singapore between 1970 and 1971. As Singapore lacks natural resources, we have to depend on our entrepot trade and industrialisation for our livelihood. How then are we to get the money for the necessary build-up of our defence as a result of the withdrawal of British forces from Singapore? Another point is that we adhere to a non-aligned foreign policy. We will not stretch out our hands to beg for aid from the big powers to help us with our defence expenditure. So the only thing that the people can expect is increased taxation. It came as a surprise to those people who had been expecting a painful Budget when the Minister for Finance proposed only seven mild taxes on the 3rd of this month. This was contrary to their expectations and they were naturally pleased. As a matter of fact, the majority of the people realise that increased taxation is unavoidable in order to fill the gap in our defence expenditure. Everyone is prepared to make sacrifices. This is an indication of the people's patriotism. The main feature of the Budget is that it reflects the prosperity of our commerce and industry and the increasing confidence of investors. Therefore, the people are proud of this Budget. In the context of a turbulent Southeast Asia, ours is a clean and honest government for a newly emergent nation.”
“Sir, there are many community centres in Jurong and I would recommend the Member to make use of the facilities there, if the existing community centres are too far away from the workers' homes, perhaps he can make representation to the People's Association for the establishment of additional community centres in order to incorporate cultural activities into the community centres. The next point the Member touched on is about the Fire Brigade. He complained that the nearest Fire Brigade is at Bukit Timah. That is true, Mr Speaker, Sir. But, as far as I can see, it takes about 10 minutes to go from Bukit Timah to Jurong Town. The roads are wide and the traffic is smooth flowing. Of course, it is not possible to have fire brigades everywhere. Singapore is such a small island and land is precious and priorities have to be given to industries and factories. The Member for Sembawang also raised the point that imported made-up garments are cheaper and more lasting. I have spoken on this point and I do not intend to say anything further. However, the Member for Sembawang suggested a tax on furs. As we all know, Singapore is in the tropics and very few people here wear furs, if at all. It is an item only for sale to tourists and it will not benefit our tourist trade if we put a tax on any articles that are likely to be bought by them. It would be as foolish as putting a tax on cameras, because, after all, Singapore has a reputation of being a shopper's paradise and we must do everything to maintain that reputation. Sir, I believe I have answered all the points raised. As other Members are waiting to speak, I shall not hold up the proceedings any further. 6.16p.m. Madam Chan Choy Siong (Delta): Thank you. (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker.”
“The other reason for the establishment of the Corporation is the better management and the rationalisation of development, etc. The Member for Jurong also proposed that a workers' cultural centre be established in Jurong. I would advise him to look into the possibility of using community centres for this purpose. I am sure the facilities there can be utilised for this purpose.”
“The question of where they sell the products does not really matter. As long as the products can be sold, whether in the home market of the foreign investor or elsewhere, that is what really matters. In fact, some of these foreign investors do come here with their market. One such example is Bridgestone Tyre Company Limited. In any case, even if foreign investors do not come here with their market or do not open their home market to our products, I think the best thing to do is to help these foreign in vestors find their market rather than complain about them. Does the Member really mean to say that if they do not open their home market to us, we should not allow them to come in, thereby resulting in no factories being opened and unemployment? The Member also complained that the 10 per cent tax on the Public Utilities Board bills fall very heavily on the working class and that it is a regressive tax. I am afraid he has not read the speech of the Minister for Finance very carefully, because the Minister for Finance did say that more than 32 per cent of the consumers need only pay half of the tax, that is, 5 per cent, and more than a quarter need not pay any tax at all. I am sure this is not a regressive tax. I now come to the points raised by the Member for Jurong. I think he brought up the same point made by the Member for Bras Basah, and that is the trade gap. I have already answered that. The Member also complained of the lack of social amenities in Jurong and asked for an improvement. The Government is very conscious of this particular aspect. That is one of the reasons why the Jurong Town Corporation was established with a view to bringing about an improvement in the social amenities in Jurong.”
“I am sure sarees can be made in Singapore. I do not see any reason why our women folk cannot look nice in locally-made sarees. I am sure they will look equally charming. On the question of tax on liquid petroleum gas, the tax is three cents per pound and not 15 per cent as stated by the Member for Telok Blangah. This is necessary in order to make not only the gas of the Public Utilities Board but also its electricity competitive with petroleum gas. On the question of per capita income of workmen, I understand that the Labour Department keeps a record of the figures of the average yearly earnings of the workers. These figures show that the workers' earnings have been going up over the years, though not very dramatically. I think I have replied to the Member for Telok Blangah and I now come to the points raised by the Member for Bras Basah. The Member for Bras Basah quoted 'from the Budget speech of the Minister for Finance and said that the difference between imports and exports, or the trade gap, is somewhere in the region of $1,000 million. This figure, of course, covers only goods imported and exported, and does not take into account services like insurance, port services and the rest. These services normally make up the deficit, as is very eloquently shown in our reserves. Surely, the acid test is whether our reserves go up or 'down, and I can assure Members that our reserves have been going up year by year and are now in a very satisfactory state. The Member also complained that 'certain foreign investors come and invest here and yet do not open their own home market to the products manufactured in Singapore. What does the Member expect? Surely, the idea of attracting foreign investment here is that we should create employment opportunities for our own people.”
“There is a comparable brand of soap in the market. Why does he not use it and help the local industry? In fact, he will be helping his own fellow men to get employment. Why must he buy an imported brand of soap? I think his fellow men should ask him that question, and he must be prepared to answer them. The Member for Telok Blangah also raised the point that hotel charges are too high and that package tour agents are beginning to leave Singapore out of their itinerary. Sir, I can only say that he has not produced any evidence whatsoever to substantiate this charge.”
“Sir, I am wearing locally-made garments. My shirt, socks and under-garments are all locally made. The Member for Telok Blangah also complained that, as a result of our protective policies for industry, the prices of goods have gone up. I do not know how the Member could have got that impression. He must be quite unscientific, for I have here the latest copy of the Monthly Digest of Statistics which keeps a consumer price index. The volume I am quoting from, Sir, is the November issue, Volume VII, No. 11. At page 117, it gives the consumer price index. The base is 100 as at April/May, 1960. For January 1968, it is 113.5 points. For September, lo and behold, Mr Speaker, Sir, it is 111.1 points. According to this price index, which is collected by the Statistics Department -and it is the authoritative price index for Singapore - the cost of living has in fact gone down. The Member for Telok Blangah should have a look at this consumer price index. If he can convince me that the prices have gone up and give evidence to support it, I shall definitely look into the matter. Sir, the construction of the consumer price index is based on retail prices. Weights are given for various goods. I should ask the Member to be more scientific than just say, "Prices have soared up." In fact, the expression he used was "spiralling of prices". He is using a very technical term but his statements are based not on facts but on feelings. It is true that the prices of one or two items might have gone up, but there are comparable substitutes in the market. For example, if the Member is taken in by an advertisement saying that by using a particular brand of toilet soap he could get a complexion as smooth as that of nine out of ten film stars, he has got to pay for that belief.”
“I am glad the Member for Bras Basah is not complaining of the tax. Therefore, I need only confine myself to answering the Member for Telok Blangah. As I was saying, this tax, in fact, helps our local garment industry. As we all know, the garment industry is employment intensive. It employs a lot of workers. The fact that this tax helps the garment industry is borne out by the fact that the President of the Garment Manufacturers' Association welcomes the tax. The Member for Telok Blangah, however, says that foreign garments are superior in quality. I wonder how he gets this impression. Sir, as you know, our garments compete very effectively with foreign products, especially in the United States of America and in the United Kingdom markets, so much so that these two governments have to put a restriction on the entry of our products into their markets.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister for Finance promised a not painless Budget. However, as it turned out, he has, with his usual accomplished skill and financial wizardry, framed a Budget that raises the necessary money in such a fair and equitable way that there could be only praise for him. When a taxpayer pays willingly and congratulates the Finance Minister in the process, you can be sure that the congratulations are genuine and that the tax is fair and equitable. In fact, the showers of praise and the congratulations are causing embarrassment to my Minister. At close quarters, I see that he is suitably embarrassed. I shall not embarrass him any further, but shall reply to some of the points raised by the Members who have spoken so far. The Members for Telok Blangah, Bras Basah and Bukit Ho Swee raised the question of the 15 per cent tax on imported made-up garments. The Members for Telok Blangah and Bras Basah complained of the tax. The Member for Bukit Ho Swee, on the other hand, said that the tax was equitable. I think both the Members for Bras Basah and Telok Blangah want to have their cake and eat it too. On the one hand, they complained that the tax will be a burden on the workers. On the other hand, they said that we must create more employ ment for our workers. I would have thought that the Members for Telok Blangah and Bras Basah should be the last persons to complain of the tax which, in fact, helps the local garment industry.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, of the total stake moneys collected weekly for the 6-out-of-49 draw, half the amount is set aside for prizes. Fifteen per cent of the prize money is apportioned to the first prize. Assuming weekly average sales of $200,000, the prize money for the first prize will be in the region of $60,000 for the fourth week if it has not been won for three consecutive weeks. However, Singapore Pools (Private) Limited guarantees a sum of $100,000 for the first prize even though the accumulated sum is less. SCOOTERISTS, MOTOR-CYCLISTS AND PILLION-RIDERS (Number of cases of head injuries and other particulars) 11. Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Defence the number of cases of head injuries suffered by scooterists, motor-cyclists and pillion-riders in road accidents during the period 1st May to 30th September, 1968; in how many such cases were the injuries (i) serious but non-fatal: and (ii) fatal; and what percentage of the serious and fatal cases were instances of persons not wearing crash helmets.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of television and radio licences issued during the year ending 31st October, 1968, is as follows: Television Radio Combined Television and Radio Sound Receivers 110,176 110,176 Radio only - 78,920 Rediffusion - 20,081 ------- ------- 110,176 209,117 ======= ======= TOTO (Apportionment of first prize money) 10. Mr Yeoh Ghim Seng asked the Minister for Finance what percentage of the weekly Toto takings is apportioned to the first prize; and, on the average weekly prize money, what is the estimated first prize for the fourth week immediately following three consecutive weeks during which that prize has not been won.”
“Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Finance the number of licences for (i) television receivers, and (ii) radio sound receivers, issued during the year ended 31st October, 1968.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there was a total of 946 public officers serving in an acting capacity as on 1st October, 1968, of whom 785 have acted for more than two months. Most of the acting posts are in Division I 363 out of 946 as at 1st October, 1968. The reasons for this large number of acting posts have been the expansion of the service and the establishment of new Ministries and Departments (for example, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Interior and Defence, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Technical Department in the Ministry of Education) and the difficulty in recruitment. This situation should improve with the promotion exercise to be conducted soon. The answer to the second part of the question is "Yes". The number of officers "officiating" in unfilled posts in the service as on 1st October, 1968, was 47. Such "officiating" appointments are necessary as, in some cases, there was no suitable officer in the next lower grade available to act. Under present regulations, where a post is more than two grades higher than that of the officer's substantive appointment, he may only "officiate" in the higher grade. "Officiating" appointments may also be necessary in the professional services if, there is a shortage of qualified officers. Here, capable but unqualified officers in lower grades in the same department are asked to "officiate" pending the recruitment of qualified officers. Lastly, where there is a shortage of officers in certain grades of appointment and where officers in other classes of appointment are suitable, they are asked to "officiate". TELEVISION AND RADIO SOUND RECEIVERS (Number of licences issued from 1st January, 1968, to 31st October, 1968) 9.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, under civil service regulations, an officer may be dismissed from the service on account of indebtedness. This extreme punishment, however, is meted out only in bad cases. Thus, out of 123 cases of indebtedness which came before the Public Service Commission for the period 1st January, 1966, to 30th June, 1968, 53 cases resulted in dismissal and nine in compulsory retirement. A first offender is normally given a warning only, if the amount of debt is small and his work and conduct are satisfactory. Cases of dismissal usually involve officers who are habitual borrowers with a long history of unsettled debts. Such officers are generally found to be of questionable integrity and are unfit for retention in the service. The Government is anxious to retain the better and more efficient officers in the service and would be prepared to give an officer who is indebted a second chance in deserving cases. CIVIL SERVANTS (Numbers in acting and "officiating" capacities) 8. Mr L. P. Rodrigo asked the Minister for Finance (a) how many public officers were serving in an acting capacity on 1st October, 1968, and how many such officers have acted for more than two months; and (b) whether there are officers "officiating" in unfilled posts in the Service, the number of such "officiating" officers in the various Ministries and departments, and why such "officiating" capacity is necessary.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, when an officer in the civil service is selected for a training course or scholarship award, he is required to sign a bond with the Government in which he undertakes to serve the Government for a specified period, normally five years, after completing his course. He is also required to provide two sureties guaranteeing his performance. In the event of any breach, the officer will be required to compensate the Government by payment of liquidated damages, the amount of which is calculated according to the amount the Government has expended on him and the period (or the remaining period) which he is obliged to serve the Government. So far, the incidence of officers resigning before completing the period of their bond is low - 17 out of 479 who returned from overseas during the period 1964 to 1968. And in every case, there is no loss of public funds, as the Government is able to recover the amount of liquidated damages stipulated in the bond. CIVIL SERVANTS (Dismissal for indebtedness) 7. Mr L. P. Rodrigo asked the Minister for Finance if civil servants are dismissed from the Service for indebtedness as a rule; and whether he will consider applying a rule to give a civil servant, who is indebted, a second chance to prove his worth in the Service if his case deserves it.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on the question of lost correspondence, if the Member for Sembawang can give particulars of such allegations to the heads of the relevant departments, I am sure they will be looked into. I am afraid I did not quite catch his second question. Will the hon. Member please repeat it?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are more than 50,000 Government employees. In the first eight months of this year, 17 complaints of discourtesy and 15 of bureaucratic behaviour have been made to the Central Complaints Bureau. These figures do not support the implication in the question by the Member for Sembawang that this is a problem of grave magnitude. The present disciplinary procedures are adequate for dealing with offences of this nature.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1959, after the P.A.P. Government assumed office, steps were taken to ensure that civil servants deal with members of the public with courtesy. Rudeness and discourtesy to the public were made disciplinary offences, and disciplinary regulations were amended to enable a Permanent Secretary to appoint a Division I officer to make enquiries and deal with such complaints speedily. The statistics of the Central Complaints Bureau, which was set up in 1962, show a steady decline in the number of complaints, dropping from 1,064 cases in 1963 to 604 cases in1967. Not all of these complaints were justified. Today, it cannot be said that discourtesy among civil servants remains a major problem. In view of this, a further campaign is not deemed necessary. Of course, isolated instances of discourtesy may still occur. To eradicate these, members of the public can do their part by giving full details of such cases to the Heads of Departments concerned or to the Central Complaints Bureau or to their respective Members of Parliament. CIVIL SERVANTS (Arrogant attitude and incompetency) 5. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Finance (a) whether his attention has been drawn to complaints by the public against Government officers in certain departments for their arrogant attitude and incompetency: and (b) if he will take steps to maintain administrative efficiency at a high level and ensure that Government officers adopt a proper attitude when dealing with the public.”
“Sir, the whole subject is now under study and the question of assessment rates will be rationalised. At the moment, I cannot say anything more than that. CIVIL SERVICE (Courtesy campaign) 4. Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap asked the Minister for Finance whether he will consider conducting a further campaign to remind civil servants that courtesy and willing assistance are expected of them at all times when dealing with members of the public.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Property Tax Ordinance prescribed a single rate of 36 per cent from 1st January, 1961. However, to give relief to owner- occupiers, it was decided that they should be allowed to pay property tax at the previous rates. This resulted in a multiplicity of rates, and some owner-occupiers were allowed to pay 18 per cent, 23 per cent, 27 per cent or 36 per cent. The rationalisation of property tax rates for the whole island has been under study, and it is the intention that the anomalies will be removed. Special concessions to Housing and Development Board flat dwellers will not be fair to other residents living in the same area.”
“Sir, may I just explain, since the Member for Delta wants me to clarify on the question of a rugged society. In fact, a very practical way of contributing to a rugged society is to have a sports stadium where our youths can be trained into spirited, robust and rugged citizens. The way of doing it, as I have shown”
“Yes, I will submit a copy if Members want to refer to it. All this goes to show that there is no rational, logical basis against Toto. The argument against Toto is based on emotional grounds and on the feelings of individuals. If individuals feel so strongly about gambling, my advice to them is not to gamble. But please do not deprive others of that little pleasure. Madam Chan Choy Siong rose -”
“it appears in published form. It is a document of the International Monetary Fund.”
“There are 66 countries on the list and if the Member for Delta likes me to read all of them out, I shall be delighted to do so.”
“In this study, a list of 66 countries are shown to have government lotteries and they range from socialist countries to capitalist countries both in the East and in the West. May II just quote a few of these countries - the ones in Asia. They are Burma, Cambodia. Ceylon, Malaysia, the Philippines. Thailand. Indonesia. Japan and Nepal. An hon. Member: Singapore!”
“So I need not elaborate on it. With regard to donations from well- wishers, hon. Members will realise that in spite of the tremendous fervour shown towards our National Defence Fund, - mind you, contributions towards the National Defence Fund get income tax rebate -yet after nearly a year's efforts to date, we have got only $8 million. The sports complex costs some $60 million. Just the other day, on 12th November. Singapore Pools (Private) Limited (the operators of Toto) handed over to the Minister for Social Affairs a cheque for $2 million towards the building of the sports complex. This sort of legalised lottery is very common all over the world - both in socialist countries and in capitalist countries. I have here a research paper prepared for the international Monetary Fund. (But it is expressly stated that the opinion expressed in the paper need not necessarily reflect the views of the Fund.) This is a very authoritative paper prepared by one Juanita D. Amatong for the international Monetary Fund and it is dated 16th April. 1968. The title of this research paper is The Revenue importance of Government Lotteries. I would like to read the conclusion of this research paper to the House. 'Barring social and moral objections to lottery, it seems worthwhile for developing countries to explore further this particular source of revenue. Government operation of a lottery tends to shift gambling gains from private hands to the government, and may minimize its possible regressive effects by using the proceeds for general welfare purposes.' Two studies done independently -the Royal Commission Report which I just quoted as well as this paper - come out in favour of public lotteries.”
“This is a case of loss of parental control, and I think it does not speak well of the writers of those letters. As to the allegation by the Member for Sembawang that because of gambling people use their money on Toto which they would otherwise have spent on food, this again is unsubstantiated. The allegation is so general that it is, in fact, quite difficult for me to repudiate it. I think it is equally difficult for him to substantiate the allegation. The point is that if a person has lost control over himself and prefers to spend the money on Toto rather than on food, then, from the economic theory point of view, it could be said that he gets more satisfaction out of playing Toto than spending money on food, in which case, good luck to him. But all these arguments against Toto, I must repeat, Sir, are based on the basic assumption that Toto is the only form of gambling available in Singapore and that there is no other form of gambling. What happened before the introduction of Toto? Thousands of dollars, as the Member for Changi has said, went into other forms of gambling like chap- ji-kee, chee-fah and all the rest of them. One good thing has come out of Toto, Mr Speaker, Sir. At least part of the proceeds of gambling which would otherwise have gone to enrich the illegal operators is now channelled to a very good cause - the building of a sports complex. The Member for Delta has asked why we should use this form of collection - why not ask the Government to provide for it in the Budget or ask for donations from well- wishers and sports fans? The reason, and it is a very cogent reason, why the Government cannot afford to make provision for a sports complex in the Budget has been given by the Finance Minister in this House this very afternoon.”
“The Report is dated 1951. It has this to say about private gambling: 'So long as these [meaning gambling facilities] are in private hands, it would be impossible entirely to prevent fraud, exploitation and inducements to gambling.' Mr Speaker, Sir, if that is the case, so long as there is private illegal gambling it is very difficult to control the exploitations, fraud and inducenients to gambling. To that extent, placing gambling under control could prevent fraud and explcitation. In fact, Toto is doing just that. If you want to gamble, you gamble. If you do not want to gamble, the Government cannot force you to gamble. What Toto does is to legalise a form of lottery so as to prevent those who have the habit of gambling and who gambled even when it was illegal ---- from being exploited and defrauded by illegal gambling operators. So the basic assumption that Toto is the root of the gambling habit in Singapore is wrong. Therefore, the Members for Delta and Sembawang have not made out a case against Toto. In fact, gambling is so prevalent that it is something, as the Member for Changi has said, which is in the blood. May I now proceed to answer some of the very general allegations made by the two Members. The Member for Delta said that she had received letters written by parents saying that their children had acquired the habit of gambling on Toto. As I see it, if a parent cannot prevent his children from gambling on Toto, there is nothing that the Government can do about it. In fact, Government has done these children a good turn by legalising Toto, because had Toto not been legalised, they would in fact be infringing the law and they could, when caught in the act of gambling, be brought to court.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir,I think the case for Toto has been eloquently put forward by the Members for Changi and Jalan Besar. What I now intend to do is to answer the points which have been raised by the Members for Delta and Sembawang. They have based their case on the very wrong assumption that Toto is the root of all evil; that there was no gambling in Singapore until the introduction of Toto, and that Toto is responsible for a host of sins that are so general and unspecific that it is difficult either to substantiate or re pudiate them, it is just the feeling of these two Members. They appeal to the emotion rather than to the intellect. Mr Speaker, Sir, we all know that gambling is as old as the hills. Ever since Singapore was founded, there has been gambling. When the immigrant population came to settle here, gambling came with them too. The Member for Changi has given us a long list of the various forms of gambling, like chap-ji- kee, pai-kow and all the rest of them. In fact, they were so prevalent in Singapore that the police had a hard time trying to control illegal gambling. The idea of introducing Toto is not only to channel part of the proceeds to a worthy cause, which otherwise would have gone to line the pockets of illegal operators, but also to control illegal gambling. Part of the reason for the introduction of Toto is therefore the very cogent one of trying to control illegal gambling. With your permission, Mr Speaker, may i quote from the Report of the Royal Commission on Gambling which was appointed by the United Kingdom Government sometime towards the end of the 1940's to inquire into gambling in the United Kingdom. This is the Report of the Royal Commission on Betting. Lotteries and Gambling, 1949/ 5/, and the passage I am going to quote is at page 61.”
“BUDGET SITTINGS (Business Motion) Resolved, "That Parliament resolves that notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2) of Standing Order No. 85, the days allotted for discussion of the Main Estimates for the financial year 1st January, 1969 to 31st March, 1970 in the Committee of Supply be increased to 5 days, that is to say, the 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th of December, 1968." - [Dr Goh Keng Swee]. NATURE RESERVES ORDINANCE (MODIFICATION OF SCHEDULE) 3.14 p.m.”
“ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH BILL "to make more effective provision in respect of environmental public health and matters connected therewith and to repeal certain provisions of the Local Government Integration Ordinance, 1963 (No. 18 of 1963)", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Health (Mr Chua Sian Chin); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. ABORTION BILL "to reform and liberalize the law relating to abortion by establishing a Board to authorise, subject to certain safeguards, treatment to terminate pregnancy by registered medical practitioners, and to provide for such treatment in certain circumstances without the authority of the Board, to amend the Singapore Family Planning and Population Board Act, 1965 (No. 32 of 1965) and the Penal Code (Chapter 119 of the Revised Edition) and for matters connected therewith", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr Chua Sian Chin; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parlia ment, and to be printed. VOLUNTARY STERILIZATION BILL "to provide for the establishment of a Board to authorise treatment for voluntary sexual sterilization by registered medical practitioners, subject to certain safeguards, on medical, social or eugenic grounds, and to provide for such treatment in certain circumstances without the authority of the Board; to amend the Singapore Family Planning and Population Board Act, 1965 (No. 32 of 1965) and for matters connected therewith", recommendation of President signified; presented by Mr Chua Sian Chin; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parlia ment, and to be printed.”
“Sir, I appreciate the hon. Member's anxiety on this score. As he will notice, the Bank is now in operation and to facilitate its running, this Bill should become law as quickly as possible. 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. SEAMEN'S REGISTRY BOARD (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Seamen's Registry Board Ordinance, 1957 (No. 11 of 1957)", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Communications (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. LEGITIMACY (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Legitimacy Ordinance (Chapter 42 of the Revised Edition)", presented by the Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. PUBLIC UTILITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL "to amend the Public Utilities Ordinance,1963 (No. 1 of 1963)", presented by Mr E. W. Barker; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. COPYRIGHT (GRAMOPHONE RECORDS AND GOVERNMENT BROADCASTING) BILL "to provide penalties for the infringement of copyright in gramophone records and to exempt Government broadcasting from infringement of copyright in musical works and in gramophone records", presented by Mr E. W. Barker; read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed.”
“B, loan portfolio, when returned to the Government, will be assigned by the Government to the Bank. The equity investments and all other assets will be retained by the Government. The transfer to the Bank of the E.D.B, loan portfolio is made via the Government, so that the total value of this loan portfolio can be treated as a loan from the Government to the Bank on which a reasonable rate of interest will be charged. The transfer of the assets of the E.D.B, to the Government is made in the name of the Minister for Finance, who is a corporation sole, a legal entity established by law to hold investments of the Government. It will be noted from clause I of the Bill that the operation of the Bill is with retrospective effect as from 1st September. 1968, which is the date of commencement of operations of the Bank. With the establishment of the Jurong Town Corporation and the Development Bank of Singapore, the rationalisation of the structure of the E.D.B, is now complete. The E.D.B, will henceforth concentrate on its major functions of industrial promotion as well as of assistance in overcoming technical and managerial problems of individual firms. Funds to run the E.D.B, will be provided annually as a subvention from the Government. Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." Question proposed. 3.02 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Economic Development Board (E.D.B.) which was established in 1961 has done valuable work in promoting industrial growth, developing industrial estates, financing industrial enterprises and providing technical training and consultant service to manufacturing industries. The scale of operations of the E.D.B, has expanded greatly since 1961, and this has magnified the basic conflict of the various functions which the E.D.B, was originally called upon to perform. Investment promotion, industrial financing and development and management of the industrial estates are functions each incompatible with the other and are best performed by separate organisations. Accordingly, on 1st June, 1968, the Jurong Town Corporation was Set up under an Act of Parliament and commenced operations. The Corporation has taken over the ownership of the industrial lands and development functions of the E.D.B. A further separation of the functions of the E.D.B. took place on 1st September, 1968, when the Development Bank of Singapore (the Bank, for short), a private limited company, commenced operations. The Bank has taken over the industrial financing functions of the E.D.B. Since the E.D.B, is not now concerned with industrial financing but is concentrating on its main function of industrial promotion, clauses 2 and 3 of the Bill provide respectively for the transfer back to the Government of loans and debentures made, and stocks and shares subscribed, by the E.D.B, in industrial enterprises. Clause 4 provides for moneys invested in securities or deposited by E.D.B, to be transferred back to the Government according to the directions of the Minister for Finance. The E.D.”
“Yes, Sir. Typed copies of the Bill distributed to hon. Members.”
“We want to assure foreign investors that we are all above-board that any investment disputes with us will be decided by an international tribunal who is unprejudiced and unbiased. This is an effort on our part to attract foreign investment. It is heartening to hear from the Member for Kallang of his support and also the support of the labour movement for this Bill. 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. PROPERTY TAX (AMENDMENT) BILL Order for Second Reading read. 4.15 p.m.”