CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

10.44 a.m.

The Chief Secretary (Mr W. A. C. Goode): Sir, I move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Sir, this is the third and last Bill required for setting up a reformative training centre. The purpose of the Bill is very fully explained in the Explanatory Note at the end of the Bill. Briefly, it is to enable a boy, who has been dealt with under the Children and Young Persons Ordinance and has reached 16 years of age, to be transferred to a reformative training centre if that is considered by the Court to be more suitable for him. This Bill completes the comprehensive arrangements for dealing with the age groups of children and young persons up to 16, the 16 to 21, and then the over 21, and it provides a means whereby a young person dealt with under the Children and Young Persons Ordinance can later be dealt with under the provisions for persons of 16 to 21 by means of reformative training. I do not think I need add anything else, Sir, on this Bill. and I beg to move.

Question proposed.

10.45 a.m.

Mr Lim Choon Mong (Serangoon): Mr Speaker, Sir, I certainly welcome all the three Bills piloted by the Chief Secretary. They are steps in the right direction. I would, however, commend the following to Government. I always believe in the saying that prevention is better than cure. Cure should come only when we have exhausted our methods of prevention. I happen to be dealing with many youth organisations and am interested in youth affairs. In fact, I am tackling this one problem. It is important, Sir, that before a boy, finding that he has nothing better to do, associates with bad company and indulges in crime, he should be given something more constructive for him to fill his time. I am referring to many institutions which exert a very good influence on the youth of Singapore. Such institutions, I suggest, Sir, are really assisting the Government in their efforts to prevent a boy from turning into a bad character, and if Government would seriously consider giving greater assistance to such institutions, then I think the money spent in this direction would help to reduce the expenditure that would be incurred in starting all these reformative measures. I suggest, Sir, that the Government should examine my suggestion very carefully and consider giving increased aid to such institutions because they have a favourable influence on young children.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.