REGISTRATION OF HINDU MARRIAGES (Introduction of legislation)

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Chief Secretary, with reference to the Report of the Committee on Hindu Marriage Registration (Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 37 of 1957), whether, and when, the Government will introduce legislation for the registration of Hindu marriages.

Mr David: Sir, the Government does not propose at present to introduce such legislation.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Sir, can the Chief Secretary tell us why the Government does not propose to introduce such legislation?

Mr David: Sir, this is a matter in which we consider it necessary to keep in line with the Federation Government and I understand that they have recently appointed a committee to examine the necessity for enacting legislation of this kind.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Sir, is the Government going to wait until the findings of that Committee of the Federation Government are published?

Mr David: I have already said, Sir, that this is a matter in which we think it is necessary to keep in line with the Federation Government, otherwise any legislation we enact here could clearly be stultified.