APPLICATION FOR ENTRY FROM CHINA (Government policy)

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare if he will make a statement on Government policy with regard to the application for entry into Singapore from China of the wife of a sponsor, resident in Singapore, who has produced documents to prove that his former wife is dead and that his application is in respect of his only wife now living in China.

Dr Lim Yew Hock: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is Government's policy to admit wives of persons lawfully resident in the Colony. The appropriate regulation to admit such a category of persons is found in paragraph 7 (g) of the Immigration (Prohibition of Entry) Order, 1953. Therefore if the local sponsor in question has submitted satisfactory evidence to prove (1) that the applicant is his lawful wedded wife, and (2) that his former wife is dead, there is no reason why the application should not be approved, unless in the opinion of the Controller the sponsor has insufficient means to provide for her maintenance.