MEMBERS OF OPPOSITION BENCHES GOING OVERSEAS AT GOVERNMENT EXPENSE BETWEEN 1948 AND 1954

Mr Wong Foo Nam asked the Financial Secretary whether any Member of the Opposition Benches in this Assembly had been out of Malaya at Government expense between 1948 and 1954, stating, in each case, -

(i) the places visited;

(ii) the reason for the visit;

(iii) the duration of the visit;

(iv) the amount of expenditure incurred by the Government; and

(v) whether the person had executive authority in any Government Department at the time of the visit.

Mr T. M. Hart: One Member of the Opposition Benches in the present Assembly represented the Government of Singapore at three conferences and at the Coronation of Her Majesty the Queen between 1948 and 1954. In May 1950, the Member concerned represented the Government of Singapore at the E.C.A.F.E. Conference in Bangkok. He was absent from Singapore for 9 days and the cost to Government was $601. In January/February, 1953, he attended an E.C.A.F.E. Conference on Industry and Trade at Bandung. He was absent for 22 days and the cost to Government was $709.12. In February/March, 1953, he attended an E.C.A.F.E. Conference on Trade Promotion at Manila. He was absent for 10 days and the cost to Government was $770.27. In June, 1953, accompanied by his wife, he attended the Coronation of Her Majesty the Queen. He was absent for 20 days and the cost to Government was $8,673.

The Member concerned did not at any time hold executive office in any Government Department.