APPOINTMENTS TO SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND RESTRICTION OF PRIVILEGE

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that only Federal citizens are eligible to apply for Government or quasi-Government appointments in the Federation of Malaya; and whether he will take steps to ensure that only persons born in Singapore are eligible for appointment to the Singapore Government service, and that this privilege is not extended to persons born in the Federation of Malaya, North Borneo or Brunei.

Mr W. A. C. Goode: Sir, the Federation of Malaya regulations do not entirely exclude from appointment in the Federation applicants who are not Federal citizens. The position as I understand it is that such persons may be appointed if there are no suitable Federal citizens obtainable and a particular post cannot be left vacant.

The answer to the second part of the question is, not at present.