CITY COUNCIL PROPERTY LOSS REVEALED BY AUDIT (Commission suggested to investigate and recommend action)

Commission suggested to investigate and recommend action

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he has received the Report of the Audit of the Accounts of the Singapore City Council for the year ended 31st December, 1956, by the Director of Audit, Mr H. M. Watson, and

(a) if he will make a statement on the aforesaid Report; and (b) if he will consider taking steps with the view to the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances which led to the loss of public funds and property as contained in the Report and the lack of control of the Accounting System of the City Council, and to recommend what action is to be taken against the Heads of Departments concerned.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, in accordance with section 54 (1) of the Municipal Ordinance, the Director of Audit forwarded to me on 5th September a copy of his report on the audit of the accounts of the Singapore City Council for the year ended 31st December, 1956. I have asked the President of the City Council if he would let me have the comments of the City Council on this report, and I am informed that it has been referred to the Council's Finance Committee for consideration, and that it was also tabled with no comment attached at a meeting of the Council held on 30th September, 1957.

I am further informed that the Finance Committee has appointed a sub-commit-tee to consider and enquire into the whole of the Auditor's report, and that it is expected that the sub-committee will report back to the Finance Committee later this month, and that it is only then that the Finance Committee can fully consider the report in the light of the facts which can be placed before it.

When I have received and studied the full report of the City Council, I will consider whether any step should be taken for further investigations.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Is the Hon. the Minister aware that in many instances, where a committee of the City Council was concerned, funds were waived without the knowledge of the full Council?

Inche Abdul Hamid: Mr Speaker, Sir, I may or may not be aware of that fact but I am aware of this fact, that in the first instance the responsibility for the proper upkeep of the accounts of the City Council lies on the shoulders of the City Councillors themselves. The hon. Member for Queenstown happens to be a City Councillor and I am sure he should put the question to himself first before he puts it to this Assembly.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Under such circumstances will not the Minister feel that a commission of enquiry is most necessary to look into the funds and the audit of the City Council, rather than to leave it in the hands of the City Councillors themselves?

Mr Speaker: We cannot have a debate.