SINGAPORE YOUTH SPORTS CENTRE INCORPORATION BILL

2.40 p.m.

The Minister for Labour and Welfare (Mr Lim Yew Hock): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to move,

That the report from the Select Committee on the Singapore Youth Sports Centre Incorporation Bill, as contained in Sessional Paper No. L.A. 13 of 1956, be adopted.

Sir, the Singapore Youth Sports Centre Incorporation Bill was committed to a Select Committee and from Sessional Paper No. L.A. 13 of 1956, it will be seen that the Select Committee held three meetings. The minutes of these meetings can be found in Appendix III and in Appendix IV Members will find the minutes of the meeting at which the Committee heard evidence from the President of the Singapore Youth Council, the Hon. Secretary of the Federation of Boys' Clubs, and the pro. tem. Secretary/Organiser of the Singapore Youth Sports Centre.

Due regard has been paid to the representations made both orally and in writing, and, as a result, the composition of the Board detailed in clause 3 (4) has been altered. The number of members to be nominated by the Minister for Labour and Welfare has been reduced to one, and the Singapore Youth Council now has the right to nominate four instead of two members. In addition, the Singapore Junior Chamber of Commerce has been given the right to nominate one member. These changes, as hon. Members will realise, make certain that youth will be well represented on the Board of Management.

The remaining amendments are either consequential or for the purpose of improving the drafting of the Bill. Sir, I beg to move.

Mr Mak Pak Shee: Sir, I second it.

Question proposed, "That the Report of the Select Committee be adopted."

2.41 p.m.

Mr Marshall: If it please you, Sir, I have a very small point to make. I think that many Members of this House are conscious of the fact that in the City Court every day there are about 800 cases of hawkers, and a very material proportion of the number of hawkers are juveniles under the age of 16 and youths between 16 and 25. The City Magistrate, Sir, has considerable experience of the youths who appear before him hawking without a licence, and every Magistrate sitting in that Court has expressed concern about the activities of these youths who learn, so young, to flout the law because of the necessity of living. Sir, it is true that it might not seem within the scope of the Bill that will be before us to consider the youths who hawk, but I am conscious that the City Magistrate is very anxious to try and do something for these youths; and I would like to suggest that when Government makes its appointments to this Board of Management, it will consider nominating the City Magistrate pro. tem., whoever he may be, so that that portion of the population with which he is in contact by virtue of his position can have some assistance through him, and he can give guidance to the Board of Management in its activities to give helpful opportunities for the young.

It is my hope, Sir, that the Government will consider the whole problem of the welfare of these youths in the not distant future and the possibility of the creation of a Young Hawkers Welfare Board which would utilise, as a commencement, the quarter of a million dollars or more a year in fines from hawkers in order to rehabilitate the youths. But I think we can start now if the Government would consider the appointment to the Board of Management of the City Magistrate in order to assist the activities of the Board.

Mr Lim Yew Hock rose -

Mr Speaker: Mr Minister, in reply?

Mr Lim Yew Hock: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill which we are considering at the moment is the Singapore Youth Sports Centre Incorporation Bill and is in connection with a sports centre for youth. While I do share the feelings of the Member for Cairnhill for the welfare of young hawkers and while I do agree with him that the City Magistrate is in a position to assist the Government in looking after their welfare, I find it difficult to see how his membership on the Board of Management of a sports centre can be of help to the persons whom he has expressed a desire to help.

In so far as the welfare of youthful hawkers is concerned, I have taken note of all that the hon. Member has said and will direct the Department of Social Welfare to make a close study of the problem and put up suggestions for the improvement of these people.

Mr Marshall: Thank you.

Question, "That the Report of the Select Committee be adopted," put, and agreed to.

Third Reading

Mr Speaker: Third Reading, what day?

Mr Lim Yew Hock: Now, Sir. Sir, I move. "That the Bill be now read the Third time."

Mr Mak Pak Shee: Sir, I second it.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time.