Committee

Mr Speaker: Mr Lim Yew Hock, will you move the Committee stage?

Mr Lim Yew Hock: Mr Speaker, Sir, I move,

That this Assembly do now resolve itself into Committee to consider the Bill.

Mr Hart: I beg to second the motion.

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Clause 1 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 2 -

Mr Lim Yew Hock: Mr Chairman, owing to a typographical error, the marginal note to clause 2 has been omitted. The marginal note should read "Date of commencement".

The Chairman: Thank you.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 3 -

Mr John Ede (Tanglin): Mr Chairman, Sir, in paragraph (c) of this clause, have we omitted the female of the species? We do not see the word "she".

The Chief Minister: Mr Chairman, Sir, I understand from the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance that the masculine embraces the feminine!

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 4 to 20 inclusive ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 21 -

Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Tanjong Pagar): Mr Chairman, Sir, before this Bill was placed in this House with a Certificate of Urgency, I discovered -

The Chairman: Are you moving an amendment?

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: No, Mr Chairman.

The Chairman: Will you wait until I propose the Question?

Question proposed, "That clause 21 stand part of the Bill."

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Mr Chairman, Sir, before this Bill was tabled with a Certificate of Urgency, I attempted, through the Chief Minister, to get this House a chance to make its contribution to this Bill. I have waited till this last clause to raise this point: that because only one clear day's notice was given, and no more, no one has anything constructive to contribute to the discussion of this Bill. There was a terrific outcry against the Provident Fund Bill -

The Chairman: You are confining yourself to the Schedule?

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: I am. One of the complaints was what this Schedule has now attempted to correct. Contrary to the expectations of the Progressive Party, the Ordinance did not bring them the required results in the last elections. It was their brain-child, and it was rejected because little things, like people who earn less than $200 having to contribute, although they could not afford to do so, were not taken into consideration.

Now the Minister for Labour has had consultations with mysterious representatives who have convinced him that $200 is the line of demarcation. It may be right, it may be wrong. I had always believed that the purpose of this Assembly is to allow the people as a whole to make their representations, and to make their views known, on any particular piece of legislation. It is because of this important principle that I say to the Government that this amendment is entirely theirs. Nobody has contributed anything to it. Nobody knew anything about it until it was tabled. Notice was given, as one Member has said, about 36 hours ago. I have not calculated the number of hours, but I think everybody is agreed that very few in this Assembly, other than the Minister for Labour, really know -

The Chief Minister: Point of order, Sir. Is it permissible, on the motion now before the House, to make this attack upon Government, and, if so, will Government be granted an opportunity to answer it?

The Chairman: As I see it, the Member for Tanjong Pagar is commenting on the Schedule, and in particular on the $200 level.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: That is so, Mr Chairman.

The Chairman: Now, if he goes beyond that - I am watching him very carefully - I will try and stop him. Government, of course, will have an opportunity to reply.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: I am grateful for the indication that my movements are being watched very carefully. I am told that quite a number of my colleagues are also being watched carefully, and they are also very grateful for that information.

I wish, however, to make this point clear: that this is the Bill of the Minister for Labour. We have no chance to contribute to it. We do not know why $200 has been chosen. Who told him this magic figure? Or how did he work it out? It is for him to take the whole responsibility for this amendment, and for the Labour Front Government -

Hon. Members: Coalition!

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: I beg your pardon! One keeps forgetting these little things! [Interruption.] But it is for them to bear the responsibility. If there is anything amiss, it is entirely theirs.

The Chief Minister: Mr Chairman, Sir, I would not seek any subterfuge in answering the attack that has been made. It is not a question of the $200 now. It is a question of the House not having been given enough time. With your permission, Sir, I should like to answer that attack.

May it please you, Sir, the Government is fully conscious of the need that this House should have sufficient time to consider all important legislation. There is no question whatsoever about that, and Government has taken steps, and will continue to take steps, to see that Members are advised long in advance of any material legislation that will be introduced.

The question of the $200 limit was aired some six weeks ago and published in the newspapers. It is true that it has not been circulated to Members, but when the Member for Tanjong Pagar tells us that he seeks no responsibility and has nothing to contribute and cannot understand that $200, we on the side of the Government accept very gladly the responsibility for this contribution to the public welfare. We know that the P A.P. has nothing to contribute. That we have always understood.

Sir, it is the conduct of the P.A.P. that has recently set back the welfare of the workers to a considerable extent, and I do say this: that the delay in the printing and in bringing forward this piece of legislation to the notice of hon. Members has arisen out of such conduct; and it is our desire to see that the second half of the year should see the commencement of this legislation, so important for the worker. And we do not wish to see his welfare further postponed. That the P.A.P. cannot see anything to contribute after 36 hours' deliberation is no matter for surprise, nor a matter for regret.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Not only the P.A.P.!

Question put, and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported, without Amendment.

Third Reading

Mr Lim Yew Hock: Mr Speaker, Sir, I move, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time.