LEGAL AID AND ADVICE ORDINANCE, 1956 (Implementation)

Mr D. S. Marshall asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare whether he will make a statement on the implementation of the Legal Aid and Advice Ordinance, 1956.

Mr Lim Yew Hock: Sir, the implementation of the Ordinance is dependent on the recruitment of the necessary staff, particularly of a Director of Legal Aid. Applications for various posts in Superscale Grade F of the legal service closed on 4th March and candidates have been interviewed by the Public Service Commission. It is expected that it will be possible to appoint one of the selected candidates to the post of Director of Legal Aid by the end of this month. As soon as this appointment has been made, implementation of the Ordinance will follow step by step.

Mr Marshall: How many steps and how long for this measure which had the unanimous support of this House and which is a year old?

Mr Lim Yew Hock: As many steps as are necessary to implement this Ordinance in order to enable the smooth running of a law which was passed a year ago.

Mr Marshall: Do I understand that the Minister does not know how many steps are necessary and has not provided for the period during which it will be necessary for it to be brought to full implementation?

Mr Lim Yew Hock: I am aware of the many steps required, Sir.