ASSISTANT MINISTERS(Expression of views in City Council)

Mr Lim Choon Mong asked the Chief Minister if he will state whether the views expressed by the Assistant Ministers in the City Council are also the views of the Government.

The Chief Minister: Sir, it is important for this House to draw a distinction between the Assistant Ministers in the discharge of their duties as such in Government and the same persons as City Councillors. Government has never sought, does not seek and will never seek to control the conduct of the Assistant Ministers or any other City Councillors in the discharge of their duties to the City Council.

Mr Lim Choon Mong: Is it not important, Sir, for Members of the Government, whether they be in the Assembly or in the City Council, to express the same line of policies?

The Chief Minister: The same policies, Sir, are not necessarily right and the circumstances are not normally the same.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Are we to understand from the Chief Minister's reply that the Labour Front has no consistent policy for local and national government?

The Chief Minister: As usual, Sir, my hon. and learned Friend understands wrongly.

Mr Lim Choon Mong: Is it not a fact that the Labour Front City Councillors have approved the conversion of the Geylang Serai trade fair into an amusement park and that the Labour Front Government have refused it on Police grounds?

Mr M. P. D. Nair rose -

Mr Speaker: Point of order?

Mr Nair: Point of order, Sir. I think reading a supplementary question is out of order.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Whose side are you on?

Mr Speaker: I did not notice that the hon. Member was reading.

Mr Lim Choon Mong: Is it not a question of policy in this matter?

The Chief Minister: The matter has not come up to Government level, Sir. If there has been a refusal, I am unaware of it.