SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION (Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 17 of 1959)

11.36 a.m.

The Acting Financial Secretary (Mr Oon Khye Kiang): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have the Governor's recommendation to move the following motion,

That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $2,889,360 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 17 of 1959.

Sir, as we are reaching the dissolution of the Assembly it would be appropriate if I were to make a short statement on the financial position as disclosed in the provisional 1958 Accounts which have still to be checked by the Director of Audit.

Hon. Members will recall that at the last Budget sitting, it was forecast that the year would end with revenue and expenditure balanced at $248 million, with a deficit of $13 million in the Development Fund and a charge of about $4 million in respect of Malayanisation Compensation, both of which would have to be met from reserve. The general revenue balance which stood at $78 million at the end of 1957 was estimated to be $83 million at the end of 1958, after taking into account on the one hand, the $20 million which had been received in respect of Christmas Island transfer and the appreciation of investments, and on the other hand, deductions to be made to meet the deficit in the Development Fund and the Malayanisation Compensation payment. The year however ended on a slightly happier note. The revised estimate of revenue at the time of the Budget was $248 million. It was actually about $250 million, an increase of about $2 million, chiefly accounted for by an unexpected receipt late in the year of over $1 million, which represent refund of contributions to the M.E.O. after the M.E.O. accounts had been finalised. The total revised expenditure was then $265 million (which included $4 million for Malayanisation Compensation and a contribution of $13 million to cover this deficit in the Development Fund). As it turned out, the actual expenditure was $264.8 million (which included $4.7 million in respect of Malayanisation Compensation and $14.3 million as additional contribution to the Development Fund). Taking into account the $20 million revenue from Christmas Island transfer, there is therefore a surplus of about $5 million.

There is again an appreciation of investments to the extent of $3.6 million. Taking this into account, the general revenue balance as at 31st December, 1958 was $87 million, instead of the estimated $83 million.

When the Assembly is dissolved at the end of this month, there will be a lapse of about two months before the general elections are held. It will again be some time before the Government is ready with a supplementary budget to implement her policy. In the meantime, there are certain essential services which will have to be carried out during the interregnum and financial provision would have to be sought at this sitting so that there would not be any difficulty experienced during the next three months. It should be in this light that the various applications for supplementary provision in this Sessional Paper should be looked at.

There are altogether 55 applications for supplementary provision including 18 revotes, involving a total expenditure of $3,060,135 with possible offset savings of $170,775, leaving a net expenditure of $2,889,360 in respect of which the approval of the Assembly is sought.

In the Ordinary Estimates, there are 29 applications, involving an amount of $1,113,539 with 13 revotes involving $59,117. Among the big items of supplementary votes are the following:

(a) $393,030 has been provided in the Estimates for the Legislative Assembly Elections. Following the proposal to introduce compulsory voting, it will be necessary to provide for additional staff, polling stations and equipment and also publicity to ensure the success of this proposal. Additional provision of $160,500 is required.

(b) A further sum of $290,000 is required in order to retain the average strength of 234 special constables who will be kept on a temporary basis till the end of the year, and some of whom would otherwise be retrenched during the year.

(c) It is proposed to make a grant of $102,000 on a dollar for dollar basis to the Kampong Koo Chye Fire Fund. This money will be utilised for the construction of flats for the habitation of some of the victims of the fire which took place last April. I should like to draw the attention of hon. Members to an amendment that should be made to the reference to Head D 22 under Application No. 39 in the last line of the first paragraph on page 4 of the Sessional Paper. D.22 should now read D.43 as it is a more appropriate Head under which the proposed expenditure should be shewn.

(d) On the basis of a standstill budget, only 160 additional posts (including 5 additional Division I) were incorporated in the 1959 Draft Estimates. It was thought that this would be adequate and that the opportunity would be given to reorganisation and redeployment of the existing staff so as to achieve the maximum economies. It is not to be, for the education service is ever expanding. With the expansion of classes and increases in schools it has not been possible to cope with the expanding activities with the present staff. Additional staff will be required if new school buildings are not to be kept empty or new classes without teachers. In the case of graduate teachers, a number will be passing out from the University this month and posts will have to be created in order that their services can be engaged. It is not possible to hold these up till the latter part of the year. It is therefore proposed to create the following number of new posts:

(i) 40 graduate teachers,

(ii) 50 teachers of vernacular languages,

(iii) 102 Probationer teachers in the Malay schools, and

(iv) ancillary staff.

The total estimated cost of the additional staff is $453,090.

In the Development Estimates there are eight applications for supplementary provision amounting to $1,471,325, and five applications for revotes amounting to $416,154. Taking the revotes first, there is a big item relating to the purchase of equipment and fittings for the Polytechnic. The orders were placed last year and the payment cannot be met from this year's provision since these purchases are not included in the provision which is meant for the additional requirements to be purchased this year. A revote is therefore required.

Additional provision of $120,000 is required for the three District Councils which have been set up in the beginning of the year, so that the essential health and other works can be carried out during the next three months. It will, of course, be appreciated that until the organisations have started work and have taken over certain former city areas it would not be possible to assess the minimum requirements. Provision of $30,000 is required for each of the three District Councils for improvement and expansion of works in the rural areas. There are a number of proposals for small amenities which uplift the morale of kampong and rural folks. They include minimum drainage works which involve-

(i) the placing of culverts, the cutting and widening of drains;

(ii) the removal of stagnant water;

(iii) the provision of bore holes for sanitation;

(iv) the levelling of bridle paths and foot paths;

(v) clearing of streams and canals; and

(vi) a host of such similar works.

In addition, $15,000 each is required for the Katong District and Serangoon District Councils for the purchase of a vehicle for town cleansing purposes.

In the original 1959 Estimates, in keeping with the principle of a standstill budget, capital grants to schools were limited to revotes of sum voted in 1958 but not used. This has not proved practicable and there have arisen four urgent cases which will have to be given consideration now. The reasons for their urgency are given in pages 15 and 16 of the Sessional Paper. The total amount involved is $302,225. It should be pointed out that Government is contributing towards half the total cost and for each one built or rebuilt, the Government will have one less to build.

Lastly, we come to the item relating to the Modernisation and Construction of Division IV Quarters. A number of proposals have been put up to implement the policy of constructing institutional quarters for Government officers. They are to be carried out in phases, and following the need for economy in the middle of last year it was decided to put a stop to a number of them, some of which would have been built but for this freeze. No provision has therefore been made in the Estimates for the construction of new quarters or renovation of existing ones except in respect of those works which were in construction in 1958. These deferred proposals have been transferred to Appendix DK in the Estimates, a number of which are meant for the Division IV employees. These employees are required to stay in their places of employment and, being in the lower income group, are not in a position to make use of the loan facilities to purchase their own houses. It is therefore the responsibility of the Government to house them. For the convenience of the hon. Members, I would mention a list of them: (a) Broadcasting 18 Division IV Quarters, Jurong Road $130,000 (b) Police (i) 112 Division IV Quarters, Duxton Plain. (i) included in the total cost of $970,000 and (ii) 524 Division IV Quarters (ii) included in the total cost of $4.7 million. (c) Customs One multi-storey block Division IV Quarters included in total cost $272,500 (d) Tan Tock Seng Hospital Quarters 168 Hospital servants $1,092,000 (e) Woodbridge Hospital and Trafalgar Home (i) Modernisation of existing Attendants Quarters and 96 New Division IV Quarters $800,000 (ii) Staff Quarters Phase II $300,000 (f) Telecommunications (i) 15 Division IV Quarters, Paya Lebar $ 90,000 (ii) 15 Division IV Quarters, Jurong $130,000 (g) Public works Non-Recurrent (General) Modernisation and construction of Division IV Quarters, Phase I $919,900

Some of the existing quarters are in bad condition; the rooms are overcrowded and no facilities exist for cooking and bathing, etc. In the interests of the staff, the improvements to these quarters and erection of additional quarters cannot be deferred further. Government cannot absolve herself of the responsibility of being a model employer. Supplementary provision of $1 million is asked for so that the urgent works can be carried out at once.

Sir, I beg to move.

Inche Mohamed Sidik Bin Haji Abdul Hamid: Sir, I second it.

Motion committed to Committee of Supply.

Motion and Schedule considered in Committee of Supply.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

11.50a.m.

Inche Mohamed Sidik Bin Haji Abdul Hamid: Schedule-

The Chairman: The summary is at page 19.

Head 8-

The sum of $161,020 for Head 8 ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

Head 15 -

Question proposed,

"That the sum of $290,000 for Head 15 stand part of the Schedule."

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: Sir, can the Hon. the Chief Secretary give us a satisfactory explanation as to what confidence he has and on what grounds he has to disband the Special Constabulary at this juncture at the rate of 34 per month, and for their substitution by trained police?

Sir, it is a fact that in almost every police station, the Officer in charge, whenever he is approached in an emergency by people, especially these living in the rural areas, will say, "We are short of hands and short of staff."

Many open-air cinemas, although they have licences to perform and are paying tax and licence fees, are always visited by gangsters, who create nonsense and fights in them, and as a result the open-air cinemas have to close down. And when they approach the O.C. of any police station, they are told, "I am sorry, we do not have enough men to patrol the area."

Sir, not long ago I led a delegation of farmers from Geylang Serai. They all belonged to the Singapore Rural Residents Association. It had been reported to this Association by many members that poultry, fruit trees, vegetables and eggs were being plucked or taken away in broad daylight by someone who was daring enough to walk into their gardens. When they asked him why, he just showed his arm, and said, "This is my fist. I demand those things." It was reported to the O.C. of Joo Chiat Police Station, Mr Ong Kian Tong, accordingly. We had a frank and thorough discussion. We indeed owe Mr Ong Kian Tong a debt. After the interview, the delegation was quite satisfied. But the fact is this. The Police patrol still could not cope with the daily increase of thefts, house-breakings and gang fights in that particular area. The reason is simple. There was an Exposition going on at Kallang Airport, and therefore there was a shortage of staff.

Sir, all this is quite clear now, especially since the election is approaching. We know that quite a number of dirty politicians try to make use of gangsters. We expect that the crime wave will increase and not decrease. And yet at this juncture, the Chief Secretary thinks fit to disband the Special Constabulary who have been well trained since 1945. Sir, the note says:

"The Special Constabulary was raised in 1945 as an interim measure to maintain law and order whilst the Regular Police Force was being reorganised and trained."

Sir, under the subhead Special Constabulary, we see that they have been well trained for such a long period, and yet it is thought fit to disband it at this juncture when the country is in need of their services. Therefore, the Chief Secretary must give us an assurance and a satisfactory explanation as to why he is confident that the present police force is sufficient to maintain law and order despite the fact that the crime wave is increasing daily.

I will make a further suggestion. Why does the Chief Secretary not consider another point, to make use of our own people? Train them and encourage them to organise a Home Guard in every kampong and every street to fight the organised gangsters. With the support of the Government, we will have our own Home Guard patrolling our own streets. It will not only save a lot of money but it will also raise the morale of our people. In other words, there will be true co-operation between the police and the people.

Sir, I wish the Hon. Chief Secretary will give us a reply.

Mr William Tan (Tiong Bahru): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am very surprised at the Government in view of the crimes increasing day by day. There is no denying this fact. You read the newspaper every day and you find crimes - stabbing cases, gang fights. In view of these crime increases, it is my opinion that the Special Constabulary should not be disbanded because the police should know by now (I have said that in the Assembly) that there is discontent and disappointment among the rank and file of the police force. This is one of the discontents. These people, given guard duties to patrol the streets of Singapore, have to look after and protect the people of Singapore. Sometimes they have to face dangers, and yet the Government see fit that these people should be disbanded. I am really surprised, Sir.

We all know why crimes have been increasing. Experienced police officers in the various divisions of the police force, who have the experience and knowledge of all the secret society members operating in their particular areas, have been transferred to another area at the whim and fancy of the senior police officers. The removal of these experienced detective officers from a division where they know the members of the secret societies operating in that area, is only to encourage the members of the secret societies to come out into the open.

Now, we have another item - to retrench the Special Constabulary. Sir, I have met many Special Constables patrolling my area in the morning - 2 a.m., 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. They protect the people of Singapore and it is our duty to see that these people who have given much of their time and even their lives to protect the people of Singapore should not be disbanded. They should, as a matter of fact, be absorbed into the regular Police Force, as I feel that they have the experience to be in the Force itself.

12 noon.

Mr David: Sir, both the Member for Changi and the Member for Tiong Bahru spoke with a certain amount of heat, but I am really not at all clear what they are grumbling about because what the Financial Secretary is doing on this motion is asking for additional money in order that I can keep these Special Constables on and not disband them.

As is explained under the item, the intention has always been - the hon. Members concerned know that there has previously been dissatisfaction among the Special Constabulary - to put them on a permanent basis and this is in fact what has now been done by the provision of this permanent Guard and Escort Unit. The Guard and Escort Unit will consist of certain men engaged on duties for which the full qualifications and training of a police officer are not required.

In regard to the incidence of crime and the ability of the Police to cope with it, there is no one more than myself who would wish to see an increase in the regular trained Police Force and if we had the additional funds to provide for it, then I should certainly not be backward in coming forward with the necessary proposals; but in the present financial situation, the allocation of the available resources with the different calls on available funds must be a matter of balance and, owing to a standstill Budget, it was not possible for me to ask for an increase in the regular Police Force for this year, but it is one of the needs which I commend to the attention of the incoming Government.

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: Sir, we shall be glad if the Chief Secretary will look at the explanatory note. Here it is:

"This would relieve regular police personnel for duties for which they were trained. The remaining Special Constables except for 159 would be retrenched at the beginning of 1959 in a phased programme to allow for their replacement by 34 regular police every month."

Does it not sound that it is your intention that you want to retrench, "except for 159", those Special Constables who have been engaged since 1945 by you?

The Chairman: Order.

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: By the Government, Sir - Special Constables "to maintain law and order whilst the Regular Police Force was being reorganised and trained . . . Accordingly, a permanent Guard and Escort Unit of 825 officers and men was formed with effect from 1st January, 1959." And what are the duties of this Unit? They are "to perform static guard and escort duties".

Sir, I am sorry to state that I am not satisfied with the explanation given by the Hon. the Chief Secretary. I hope he will answer my question. What confidence has he in sacrificing so many well-trained people who have served in the Police Force - although in the name of the Special Constabulary - since 1945? Does the Chief Secretary not consider that to be better experience?

The Chief Minister: Sir, I shall try to explain to the Member for Changi. When the debate on the 1959 Budget Estimates took place, he was very active. In fact, he was the most active Member on the other side of the House. He talked quite a lot on the Estimates -

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: Do not pull my leg!

The Chief Minister: -and this new scheme was approved when the Estimates were discussed. Because of the approval of that scheme, 159 Special Constables would be gradually retrenched, but the Government now feel that they should not be retrenched - the Government are now asking for more money - and that they should continue in employment until the end of the year.

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: Sir, maybe the Government side misunderstood the purpose why I raised this point. I want the Government to spend more money because the Police Force is inadequate to provide for the needs of this country. I have already quoted so many examples to prove to you that many officers in charge of police stations have always complained about the shortage of hands. I am, of course, thankful to the Hon. the Chief Minister for explaining that this item was passed at the Budget sittings last year, but the situation now is quite changed, as has just been mentioned by the Member for Tiong Bahru. He says that crimes are increasing and that the people are getting worried. We know so many reasons coupled with that. Therefore, my purpose is to urge the Government to raise a larger Police Force to maintain law and order. That is all.

Mr David: Sir, I cannot help feeling that it would be very salutary if we had a Standing Order in this Assembly that Members who constantly urge Government to spend more money should be under an obligation also to say where the Government is to get that money from.

I have already said, Sir, that I am in entire agreement with the hon. Member that, in order to cope with the present level of crime, we do require an expansion of the Police Force, and I do hope that will be one of the first matters to which the incoming Government will devote their attention; but for the present we have, for the reasons explained at the time when the Budget was debated, confined the present Estimates to a standstill Budget and it is for that reason that I have not been able to come forward with proposals for expanding the Force.

Question put, and agreed to.

The sum of $290,000 for Head 15 ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

Head 17-

Question proposed, "That the sum of $39,560 for Head 17 stand part of the Schedule."

Mr Lim Cher Kheng: Sir, as was mentioned by the Hon. the Chief Secretary, they intended to ask the Assembly to give more money to be spent on the Police. Unfortunately, they could not get it. Now, similar conditions apply to this Head - Prisons. I am sure this House will agree with me that the Borstal system has really worked very well. We are more than pleased to have spent more money on this Borstal scheme, but unfortunately, Sir, the Government have failed in one important point. Although they have succeeded in reforming and training such prisoners, have the Government any plans for them after they have completed their sentences? On one occasion, I had the opportunity to spend a solid six hours in Changi Prison. I had my lunch inside the Prison and I talked to quite a number of prisoners. There is a common worry and fear among them. It is employment after leaving the Prison. I will charge the Government to look into this point and do something for them. The Government should concentrate on the Borstal scheme and train and reform them. After he has completed his sentence, the prisoner walks out of the prison. Where does he go to? Will he go back to society with, he thinks, equal status with others? Because the Government do not take much notice of him, the people of Singapore pay little attention to whether the Borstal system can really work and train and reform him. The prisoner is not a life-long prisoner. The convict is not a life-long convict. It is the general opinion of the people, and it is the duty of the Government, to give more employment opportunities for the prisoners. The general public should adopt a new attitude towards ex-prisoners. I wish the Hon. the Chief Secretary would consider this suggestion, and not merely come here and ask for more money to be spent on the Borstal scheme and never think of the future of the prisoners after they have reformed and have received training in prison.

Mr David: Sir, the Member for Changi was talking indiscriminately about prisoners in Changi Gaol and those detained in Borstal institutions. I am not sure whether he meant that they should be lumped together, or whether he intended to talk purely on the subject of this application for supplementary provision.

In regard to inmates of the Borstal Institute, they are invariably released provided they are of good behaviour for some considerable time before the expiry of their sentences, and during that time they are required to report and a very close eye is kept on them. I know of no case in which a boy in a Borstal institution has been released from that institution without being suitably placed. If the hon. Member has examples that he can give to me, I shall be very happy to look into them, but he has not brought any such case to my notice and I certainly know of none.

In regard to the prisoners in the Changi Gaol - the adults serving their prison sentences - there is, as he is aware, an association called the Prisoners' After-Care Association which is always seeking for public support in every way, and I am sure that they will welcome any support the hon. Member is prepared to give them.

Question put, and agreed to.

The sum of $39,560 for Head 17 ordered to stand part of the Schedule.

12.15 p.m.

The sums stated for the Heads stated below ordered to stand part of the Schedule. Head Title Total $ 25 Contributions and Charit-able Allowances 103,055 28 Estate Duty and Stamp Offices 17,244 41 Veterinary 10 46 Education 470,650 47 Library, Raffles National 22,080 50 Ministry of Labour and Welfare 11,140 9 Broadcasting 790 10 Chemistry 2,150 27 Customs and Excise 3,872 37 Marine 1,120 42 Ministry of Local Government, Lands and Housing 12,125 49 Medical and Health 30,840 53 Social Welfare 7,000 D 8 Chief Secretary 26,000 D11 Defence Services 23,100 D44 District Councils 120,000 D46 Education 679,549 D61 Public Works, Non-Recurrent (General) 1,000,000 D57 Postal Services 2,130 D60 Telecommunications 36,700

The sum of $2,889,360 for the Heads of Expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule ordered to stand part of the Motion.

Motion and Schedule reported, without Amendment.

Question on the Motion put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly resolves that the sum of $2,889,360 shall be supplied to the Government under the heads of expenditure and for the services specified in the Schedule contained in Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 17 of 1959.

Mr Speaker: I think it is an appropriate time to suspend. I will take this Chair again at half-past two.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 12.18 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. Sitting resumed at 2.30 p.m.