SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION (Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 43 of 1956)

The Financial Secretary (Mr T. M. Hart): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have His Excellency's authority to move,

That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $4,308,250 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 43 of 1956.

The Schedule contains the applications for supplementary vote which have accumulated since the last sitting of the Assembly. The applications amount to a total of about $4.3 millions, making a total of supplementary votes for this year of a little over $11 millions compared to the total of $27 millions on approximately the same date last year. I mention these figures because strenuous efforts have, in fact, been made to reduce Government expenditure in general and to limit the number of applications for supplementary vote in particular, and because criticisms have been levelled at the rate of Government expenditure both in and outside the Assembly. The fact of the matter is that applications for supplementary vote are inevitable and inescapable. It is impossible to foresee future needs when the estimates are framed. Needs arise which it would be shortsighted not to meet as soon as possible. The same situation arises in every type of organisation. It is not peculiar to Government alone. All we can do is to endeavour to limit supplementary applications to essential services. I do think we are making some progress in that direction.

My first task is to report that, contrary to my undertaking at an earlier sitting of the Assembly, I have authorised two applications for funds for posts in anticipation of the approval of the Assembly. The first item is No.202. In this case, which is fully explained in the Schedule, it was represented to me by the Chief Justice through my hon. Friend the Attorney-General (Mr C. H. Butterfield) that the appointment of two additional Reporters was a matter of great urgency. In consequence, I approved the appointments with effect from the 1st of June.

The second item is No. 238. In this case, it was represented to me by the Registrar of Malayan Statistics that the work of preparation for the field census tests proposed for the autumn of this year would be seriously held up if a stenographer were not appointed immediately to keep the minutes and act as Assistant Secretary to the Census Advisory Committee. After a very careful examination of the case submitted by the Registrar, I agreed to his request and authorised the creation of the post with effect from 10th July, 1956.

I must also report that I have authorised a start to be made with the construction of hutted camp accommodation for the Singapore Battalion. It is desirable to raise the Battalion as soon as possible. The rate of recruitment depends to a certain extent on the availability of accommodation and it was therefore important to authorise the immediate commencement of work so that recruitment should not be held up.

I am confident that it was in the interest of efficient administration that these authorities should be given. May I ask hon. Members to give covering approval?

The various applications are explained in some detail in the Schedule but perhaps attention should be drawn to one or two items.

A certain amount of publicity has been given to item 206, Cost of Telegrams, which, incidentally, has no direct connection with the Merdeka Mission. As means of communication develop, so one tends to use them. The habit has grown steadily over the years to communicate by telegram and radiogram. It saves much time and, I think, leads to greater efficiency and the speedier despatch of Government business. The practice is common not only in Government but also in business and other circles. Following this growing habit, Government expenditure on telegrams has tended to increase. Expenditure over the past five years has been as follows:1952, $12,000; 1953, $19,000; 1954, $23,000; 1955, $38,000; from 1st January to 9th August, 1956, $32,000. The considerable increase in 1956 over 1955 figures has been due, in the main, to increased communication on constitutional matters in the early part of this year. The original vote has now been expended and a supplement of $30,000 is asked for. This estimate was made in early June on the basis of average monthly expenditure in the first part of the year. There has been a slight falling off in expenditure since that date but the application has been kept to the same level in order to cover all possible contingencies in the future. There has been no extravagance in expenditure. Telegrams are despatched to all quarters of the globe and cover the multifarious business of government.

Items 209 to 216 inclusive provide staff for the reorganisation of the Office of the Director of Personnel. This office has been seriously understaffed with the result that staff matters, staff negotiations and other similar matters have been considerably delayed. It is hoped that the reorganisation of the Branch now proposed will enable these matters to be speeded up.

Item 218 seeks funds for ten Supernumerary posts to enable officers of the subordinate services to be tried out for promotion to the Administrative Service.

Item 233 provides, inter alia, for a small car for a most courageous police officer who is completely paralysed from the waist down as a result of a wound incurred in a fight with a gunman.

Items 220 to 232 inclusive seek provision for the initial steps required for the raising of the Singapore Battalion which is regarded as a matter of top priority.

My colleagues and I shall be happy to amplify any of the explanations given in the Schedule. Sir, I beg to move.

The Minister for Education (Mr Chew Swee Kee): I second the motion.