TRIBUTES TO MR SPEAKER

6.16 p.m.

The Chief Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, before moving the adjournment, I beg leave to say a few words.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sure I speak on behalf of all Members of this House when I say that we are greatly indebted to you for the calm, unbiased and skilful manner in which you have presided at all sittings, both as Speaker and as Chairman, inside this House and in many Committees of the Assembly.

We have been truly fortunate in having you as Speaker from the very beginning to guide, correct and, not infrequently, restrain us, thereby enabling this Assembly to conduct itself in a manner which has excited respect and admiration for the institution of parliamentary debate.

By your ever-patient and tactful handling of the many difficult situations, you have succeeded in bringing about a high standard of conduct and debate, and instilling into all a respect for the Chair, which, in turn, has bred a respect for all decisions given by the Chair.

I am sure hon. Members of this House will associate with me in these expressions of sincere appreciation which have been fully earned. If at times we had been inclined to be trying or difficult, it was not prompted by disrespect but by emotion which, on a number of occasions, some of us were quite unable to contain.

It augurs well for the future of Singapore and our hopes for a truly democratic Government that under the new Constitution you, Sir, will also preside as Speaker when the new Assembly comes into being.

I would like also, Sir, to place on record, on behalf of all Members of this House, our sincere appreciation of the services and assistance which the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and his staff accorded all Members during this and previous sessions.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to place on record the deep esteem we have felt for the way in which you have conducted your high office. You have endowed it with the dignity and solemnity with which many of us on the Floor of this House have not been able to endow our seats.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, we would also like to associate ourselves with the remarks made by the Chief Minister and the leader of the P.A.P.

Mr Francis Thomas: Mr Speaker, Sir, as the Leader of the Labour Front, may I pay my tribute as well for the very high esteem we have for the Chair?

Mr Speaker: Of course, all this is a little out of order. In ruling these remarks out of order, may I say that I am completely overwhelmed by the kind and generous remarks of hon. Members? I can only say that my task, which has been exacting at times, has been made easier by the goodwill, cooperation and understanding of hon. Members, and I am sure that with these ingredients any future Speaker will find little difficulty in maintaining the dignity and prestige of this Assembly.