COMMUNITY CENTRES AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Minister for Labour and Law, with regard to the reorganisation of Community Centres and Youth Organisations as announced by the Government five months ago, what progress has been made in such reorganisation; and whether Members of the Assembly are now expected and encouraged to participate in the activities of the Community Centres and Youth Organisations in their respective Constituencies.

Mr K. M. Byrne: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Department of Social Welfare has taken over control of all Social Welfare community centres and Rural Board community centres. It is in the process of taking over the Singapore Improvement Trust community centres, and work has been started on two small-sized community centres and one medium-sized community centre. The centralisation of all community centres under a single organisation is making progress and will not be completed until all new community centres planned by Government are built. With the winding up of the Singapore Youth Council, the responsibility for co-ordinating all youth activities now rests with the Singapore Council of Social Service.

Members of the Assembly can participate in the activities of community centres and youth organisations, provided they do not force their way in and are acceptable to the great majority of those enjoying these amenities and do not use these centres for political propaganda.