ASSISTANT MINISTERS' DUTIES (Government Policy)

Mr Lim Choon Mong asked the Chief Minister whether he is satisfied that it is in the interests of the country for 3 Assistant Ministers to be members of the City Council in addition to their ministerial duties; and whether he will state the policy of the Government in this matter.

The Chief Minister: If it please you, Sir, Government considers that the posts of the Ministers and Assistant Ministers are full-time occupations, but that Ministers - and this includes Assistant Ministers - should not be precluded from giving of their time to public service outside their normal duties. The work of the City Council, Sir, is work in the service of the public, but I personally consider it inadvisable that City Councillors should be Members of this Assembly, let alone Ministers or Assistant Ministers.

Members are conscious of the fact that we have inherited this position of City Councillors together with the Rendel Commission's recommendations about that body; that Government has rejected those recommendations; and that we have repeatedly had to extend for short periods the life of the City Council. It seemed to us unreasonable, Sir, to deprive the people of their elected representatives who are Members of the Assembly, and some of whom are Assistant Ministers who are also on the City Council, without the possibility of by-elections, Sir, because no one would stand for a by-election for just a matter of 3 or 4 or 5 months; but we have before us the McNeice Report on local government and the matter will now be, we hope, shortly regularised by legislation.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Hon. Chief Minister aware that one of the Assistant Ministers is a nominated Member of the City Council and could quite easily be replaced?

The Chief Minister: I am indeed, Sir, and my answer to that is this: that it does seem inappropriate to remove one man and to nominate somebody for just a short period of 4 or 5 months.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Mr Speaker, Sir, does not the Chief Minister agree that this position was envisaged as early as April last year when he decided to abandon the Rendel Report on local government, and that the period would have been one and a half years?

The Chief Minister: No, Sir, because there was then no question of the Members becoming Assistant Ministers. I would like to add this: that as regards the Assemblymen themselves, Government has not taken a decision. I am merely expressing a personal opinion and it cannot be said that there is really any great strain on the work that they have to do if they have to serve both bodies. My personal objection is that it is my desire to see the maximum possible number of people partaking in the democratic process.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Is this personal opinion referred to by the Chief Minister supported by those who are Members of this Assembly and of the City Council?

The Chief Minister: I am sorry I cannot understand the question.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Can the Chief Minister tell us whether his personal opinion is supported by those Members of this Assembly who are also Members of the City Council?

The Chief Minister: Unfortunately, Sir, much as I would like to, I cannot penetrate the hon. Member's mind and read what his views are.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Has the Chief Minister not enquired from them?