ELECTIONS TO CITY COUNCIL AND DISTRICT COUNCILS (Date)

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing on what date it is proposed to hold fresh elections to the City Council; and whether elections to the new District Councils will be held on the same date.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, Government's intention is to hold the City Council elections in December this year. Elections to the District Councils will not take place simultaneously but will be held about March 1958.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister state the reason why the District Council elections will not take place simultaneously with those of the City Council?

Inche Abdul Hamid: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is not possible to hold both City and District Council elections simultaneously, as more time is required to prepare a further 5,000 pages of the register over and above the City Council register.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister not aware that the Government has already had plenty of time in which to prepare the register, due to the fact that the White Paper on Local Government was issued many months ago?

Inche Abdul Hamid: Mr Speaker, Sir, I should like to draw the attention of the Member for Tanglin to the fact that a great deal depends upon how soon the Select Committee on the Local Government Bill will be able to get through its work.