SINGAPORE HARBOUR BOARD (Setting up of Court of Inquiry)

10.09 a.m.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew (Tanjong Pagar): Mr Speaker, Sir, it was my intention yesterday to add a further limb to my motion. Unfortunately because of the announcement made yesterday afternoon and repeated this morning in this House that a Court of Inquiry has been set up, I am prevented from going on with this motion. I would like to make this statement before I formally beg leave to withdraw this motion, namely, that I think the Minister-

Mr Speaker: Order. I do not think that the hon. Member is in order. If the motion is not to be moved, nothing more can be said about it. I did indicate - I thought quite clearly - that if the hon. Member had something to say about it, he had the opportunity during Question time. I take it that the motion is not being moved?

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Mr Speaker, Sir, I did try to say what I wanted to say earlier but I was unfortunately blocked. However, I beg leave to withdraw the motion.

[That this House is of the opinion that a Court of Inquiry be set up to investigate the dispute in the Singapore Harbour Board between the Singapore Harbour Board Staff Association and the Board, and to make recommendations for a settlement of the Singapore Harbour Board Staff Association's claim for recognition that they represent all classes of monthly and daily-rated employees of the Board, and of all other matters in dispute between the Association and the Board which has resulted in a "go-slow" in the work of the Singapore Harbour Board.]

Mr Speaker: The motion is not being moved.