Committee

Mr Speaker: Committee stage, what day?

Mr Braga: Now, Sir.

Bill considered in Committee.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Clauses 1 to 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 4 -

Mr R. C. H. Lim (Nominated): Mr Chairman, I would like to move an amendment to clause 4 by adding the words "or high blood pressure" after the word "blindness" in page 3, line 5, subclause (1).

The Chairman: Can I have that in writing, please?

Amendment handed in.

Mr Francis Thomas: Sir, may I move that consideration of this clause be postponed under Standing Order 51 (5) until we have dealt with the other clauses?

The Chairman: Is that the wish of the Committee, to postpone this clause to the end?

Hon. Members indicated assent.

The Chairman: Clause 4 is accordingly postponed.

Clauses 5 to 8 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

The Chairman: We now come back to clause 4. The Question before the Committee is that in page 3, line 5, after the word "blindness", the words "or high blood pressure" be there inserted.

The Chief Minister: I am a little unhappy about that phrase. It seems to me that it may require definition, and I do not think that, medically, there is such a thing known as high blood pressure, with respect to the mover of the Bill. I should like to enquire, Sir, whether it is possible - should we find that there is a better phrase for what is intended and one that does not require definition - at the Third Reading -

Mr Braga: "Hypertension".

The Chief Minister: Yes. Sir, I move that the word "hypertension" -

The Chairman: Can we first deal with this amendment? [Interruption.] Mr Chief Minister, I will give you a few moments to consider the amendment, unless, of course, you propose to accept -

The Chief Minister: Sir, I move the substitution of the word "hypertension" -

The Chairman: Will you then withdraw your amendment, Mr Lim?

Mr R. C. H. Lim: I withdraw my amendment, Sir.

The Chairman: The amendment is then withdrawn with the leave of the Committee?

Hon. Members indicated assent.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The Chief Minister: If it please you, Mr Chairman, I move that the words "or hypertension" be inserted after "blindness" in line 5, page 3, of the Bill.

Amendment handed in.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Mr Chairman, Sir, I think this amendment is unfair to those who- are suffering from low blood pressure! Sir, it is true there is low blood pressure. It is real because a doctor told me that I have it! I think that may be the difference in the policy and practice -

At this point Mr Braga proceeded to leave the Chamber. - [Interruption.]

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: It is all right. We know the word is "hypotension". - [Interruption.]

The Chairman: Order, please.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: If we are concerned with the exploitation of those gentlemen who, either for reasons of too good living or otherwise, have to seek a remedy for their ills through advertisements in the newspapers, surely one should also give thought to those who suffer because they are not so flamboyant or impetuous? These, I believe, according to a little booklet I read, are the manifestations of "hyper-" as opposed to "hypo"-tension, which is what I am supposed to have, Mr Chairman! Those who suffer from this other kind of disease, of course, are much more phlegmatic and naturally much slower in reaching decisions. But I am told, Mr Chairman, that it is safer, on the balance, to be "hypo" than "hyper". For that reason I would not move an amendment to this amendment. I would not add the word "hypotension" too, because, being phlegmatic and somewhat slow, we are unlikely to respond to blandishments made in advertisements as to how we can be cured by the purchase of a bottle of expensive tablets! However, I do wish to point out that there are people who suffer from just the reverse. They should not pass without notice.

Mr R. Jumabhoy (Telok Ayer) rose -

The Chairman: Yes, Mr R. Jumabhoy?

Mr R. Jumabhoy: Sir, I am one of those who suffer from low blood pressure!

Mr Braga: Curiously enough, Mr Chairman, I think I can associate myself in the same category with the Member for Tanjong Pagar!

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: You are in the wrong Party then!

The Chairman: It seems, hon. Members, that we are all hypos!

Question, "That the words proposed to be inserted, be there inserted," put, and agreed to.

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Bill reported, with an Amendment.

Third Reading

Mr Braga: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill, as amended, be now read the Third time."

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill, as amended, accordingly read the Third time.