ALL-PARTY BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION (VISIT TO SINGAPORE) (Statement by the Chief Minister)

The Chief Minister: May I make a statement, Sir, as there seem to be no questions?

Mr Speaker: As you please, Mr Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister: This is a subject, Sir, on which hon. Members have had some information. I did advise this House in my report on our official visit to London that we saw the British Prime Minister and at that meeting indicated to him that we thought it might be helpful if an All-Party Parliamentary delegation was sent to Singapore to judge of the extent and genuineness of our desire for independence. Sir, it was our feeling that the British public should not be left under the impression that we were pleading a sectional case.

I am happy to inform the House that, as a result of this request, an All-Party British Parliamentary delegation will be coming to Singapore, composed of three Conservative Members of Parliament and three Labour Party Members. They are the Rt. Hon. Geoffrey Lloyd, who is the leader of the delegation, the Rt. Hon. H. S. Morrison, Mr G. J. M. Longden, Col. Sir Leonard Ropner, Mr A. J. Champion, and Mr F. Blackburn. They will be arriving in Singapore on Mon day, 12th March, and will be spending some time in the Federation before they leave on 2nd April.

A comprehensive Committee has been appointed to arrange appointments in order to give the delegation the maximum possible opportunity to assess for themselves the depths and sincerity of the desire for independence in this territory. I do ask any organisation, which may wish to invite this delegation or any of its Members for any discussions or meetings, to write to the Reception Secretary, British Parliamentary Delegation, at the Assembly House. It is our hope, Sir, that the people of Singapore would take this opportunity, both in public and in private discussions, in giving the fullest possible picture to the Members of the delegation of the true position in the territory.

A cognate matter, Sir. As Singapore is seeking the status of an independent member of the British Commonwealth, the Government considered it appropriate to invite all Dominion Governments to send parliamentary delegations, and the term of the invitation is that they may have the opportunity to acquaint themselves fully on issues which may affect them arising out of our desire for independence within the Commonwealth. The replies, Sir, have not as yet all been received.

Mr R. Jumabhoy (Telok Ayer): Sir, who is responsible for their expenditure in coming out to this country?

The Chief Minister: They will be coming, Sir, if and when they do come, as guests of the Singapore Government.

Mr R. Jumabhoy: You may be responsible for their stay over here. But who is going to pay for their passages to and fro?

The Chief Minister: I think, Sir, that in the normal course - I would like to say this with reserve, because I have not made enquiries - their passages would be paid by their own Parliamentary Association and we pay for their stay and entertainment here.