TRADE UNIONS (Total number, annual returns)

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare to state -

(a) the total number of Trade Unions registered in Singapore as at 30th June, 1958;

(b) how many of these Unions failed to submit to the Registrar of Trade Unions their annual returns for the year ending 31st March, 1958, on or before 30th June, 1958;

(c) how many of these Unions were served with notice as required under section 15 (1) (b) (v) of the Trade Unions Ordinance (Cap. 154) for not submitting their annual returns before 30th June, 1958, and the dates on which these Unions were served with such notice;

(d) how many Unions have not submitted their annual returns as at 30th September, 1958, and for what periods; and

(e) how many Secretaries of Unions have, to date, been prosecuted under section 44 (5) of the Trade Unions Ordinance, for failing to submit their returns and the results of such prosecutions.

Tun Lim Yew Hock: (a) The total number of trade unions registered in Singapore as at 30th June, 1958, was 278;

(b) The number of unions which failed to submit Annual Returns on 30th June, 1958, was 106;

(c) The answer to this part of the question is 7. The dates of service of such notice were 2nd July, 1958, 4th July, 1958, 7th July, 1958, 8th July, 1958 and 6th October, 1958. On each of the dates 4th July, 1958 and 8th July, 1958, two notices were served.

(d) The number of unions which did not submit their Annual Returns before 30th September, 1958, for the period ending 31st March, 1958, was 25.

(e) The answer is NIL. The question of prosecution is under consideration.