SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP REGISTRATION (Figures)

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Chief Secretary to state

(a) how many registration teams are employed by the Singapore Citizenship Registry to cover the whole Island of Singapore;

(b) the maximum number of persons, that could be registered daily by each team; and

(c) the total number of persons ah ready registered up to 30th November, 1957.

Mr S. T. Stewart: Sir, registration started with 15 teams while during the month of November other teams were recruited and put under training. There are now 23 teams in operation.

With regard to the question in (b), Sir, the maximum number is not known. The estimated minimum number of applicants who could be registered by a team is 170 per day. The maximum is dependent on variable conditions.

Sir, the total number of persons already registered at 30th November,. 1957, is 89,568.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Sir, can the Hon. the Chief Secretary assure this House that by the target date of 31st January, all registration will be completed and all persons who are desirous of becoming Singapore citizens have been registered by that time?

Mr Stewart: Sir, we are working to achieve that aim.