ASSEMBLY HOUSE PRECINCTS (Maintenance of Order and Decorum)

The Chief Minister (Mr Lim Yew Hock): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to move,

That this Assembly resolves that for the better maintenance of the privileges of the Legislative Assembly the Commissioner of Police be requested to make such orders and do all necessary acts and things as are required to ensure that on each day on which the Assembly is sitting during the present session due order and decorum are maintained and preserved in and around the precincts of the Assembly House.

Mr Speaker, Sir, it is clearly desirable that the deliberations of the Assembly should be conducted in an atmosphere of calm, uninfluenced by public demonstrations, and that therefore such demonstrations should not be permitted in the vicinity of the Assembly House while the Assembly is sitting.

In the United Kingdom all meetings and assemblies of more than 50 persons have been forbidden within a distance of one mile from Westminster Hall while either House of Parliament is sitting. In addition, the House of Commons at the beginning of each session of Parliament makes a Sessional Order addressed to the Commissioner of Police requesting him to ensure freedom of access to the House and to prevent disorder. The Commissioner then issues the necessary directions regarding assemblies and processions.

In Singapore the Deputy Commissioner of Police has powers under the Minor Offences Ordinance to make, with the Governor's previous approval, orders forbidding processions and assemblies. In October last year, Sir, on your representation, the Deputy Commissioner made an order forbidding processions and assemblies while the Assembly is sitting within an area bounded by Stamford Canal, the sea front, the left bank of the Singapore River, and North Bridge Road.

It is felt, Sir, that it would be wise to follow United Kingdom practice in this matter and for the House to pass a resolution at the beginning of each session to request the Commissioner of Police to make such orders and take such other action as may be necessary to ensure that there shall be no disorder in the vicinity of the Assembly House on any day on which the Assembly is sitting. Sir, I beg to move.

Mr Lee Choon Eng (Queenstown): Mr Speaker, Sir, this motion, in fact, is a revision of the previous motion that was adopted by this Assembly and it empowered you to give directives to the Commissioner of Police. In such a case, I have much pleasure in seconding the motion.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly resolves that for the better maintenance of the privileges of the Legislative Assembly the Commissioner of Police be requested to make such orders and do all necessary acts and things as are required to ensure that on each day on which the Assembly is sitting during the present session due order and decorum are maintained and preserved in and around the precincts of the Assembly House.