FOOD FOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN PRISONERS

Mr William Tan asked the Chief Secretary what food, in detail, is provided at present for European and Asian prisoners in the Prisons of Singapore.

Mr Goode: Sir, diet scales for prisoners of different races in the Singapore Prisons were published in full detail in Supplement No. 8 of the Government Gazette dated 27th January, 1950, as Gazette Notification No. S 20. This Notification is still in force.

Mr William Tan: Would the Hon. the Chief Secretary enlighten this House as to the cost of food supplied to the Asian and European prisoners respectively?

Mr Goode: Yes. The approximate cost for the European/Eurasian diet is $1.20 a day and that for the Asian is 75 cents.

Mr William Tan: Would the Hon. the Chief Secretary explain why there is such a big difference between the cost of the food supplied?

Mr Goode: The difference arises, Sir, from the different nature of the food consumed.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Could we find out from the Chief Secretary what is the cause of the different nature of the food consumed?

Mr Goode: The cause of the different nature of the food, Sir, arises from the different habits of the people concerned.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Could we find out the cause of these different habits?