DETAINEES TRANSFERRED TO DETENTION CAMP IN IPOH

Mr M. P. D. Nair asked the Chief Secretary if he will state the number of detainees detained under the Emergency Regulations who have been transferred to Detention Camp in Ipoh as at 15th of July, 1955; why such transfer is necessary; and what facilities are afforded for their wives or parents in Singapore to visit them in Ipoh.

Mr Goode: No persons detained under the Colony Emergency Regulations have been transferred specifically to the detention camp in Ipoh. Since the Emergency began, 33 persons have been transferred to the Federation for continued detention. They were detained variously at Majeedi, Telok Jerejak, Ipoh, and Kluang detention camps. I regret it has not been possible in the time available to ascertain how long each detainee spent in each of these camps.

As at the 15th of July, 1955, none of these detainees was detained at the Ipoh detention camp. In all these cases, the transfer was effected because of a detainee's connection with the Federation, and in some cases the transfer was purely formal in order to enable the detainee to be released for residence in the Federation.

Facilities for wives and parents in Singapore to visit detainees in Ipoh, or any other detention camp in the Federation, are the same as those in Singapore - that is, normally one visit a week is allowed, lasting not more than 30 minutes and including not more than two persons at any one time. With the permission of the Superintendent, however, more than one visit a week may be allowed.

Mr Nair: Sir, may I ask the Chief Secretary whether he would be good enough to grant a free rail warrant ticket to enable the parents or relatives to visit the detainees in the Federation?

Mr Goode: I should like notice of that question, Sir.