GOVERNMENT SCHOOL BUILDINGS (Construction statistics for 1959)

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Minister for Education how many buildings for Government Primary, Secondary and Technical schools were started in 1959: how many of these buildings were completed in 1959; and how many were still under construction in December 1959, and, of these, how many were in an advanced stage.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Mr Leong Keng Seng) (for the Minister for Education): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been directed by the Minister to reply. Only two schools, both primary, were started and substantially completed in 1959. During the whole year there was a freeze on expenditure. For the first half year it was imposed by the previous Government, while this Government imposed a freeze on taking office in order to carry out a comprehensive review of the financial resources of the State.

Tun Lim Yew Hock: Does the Parliamentary Secretary not know that there was a vote in the Budget for building schools?

Mr Leong Keng Seng: (In Mandarin): I did not hear very clearly just now. Will the Member please speak again?

Mr Speaker: Will the Member for Cairnhill repeat his question?

Tun Lim Yew Hock: Sir, arising out of the answer of the Parliamentary Secretary, I asked whether he is not aware that there is a Budget provision for building more schools.

Mr Speaker: I was wondering whether the Parliamentary Secretary is in a position to answer.

Mr Leong Keng Seng: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have not received prior notice of that question. Therefore, I cannot answer.

Mr Rajah: Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that in the 1959 Budget, there were a few million dollars voted for the building of schools?

Mr Speaker: We are still having teething troubles. Will the Member for Farrer Park please repeat his question?

Mr Rajah: The question, Mr Speaker, was whether the Hon, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education was aware that in the 1959 Budget there was a sum certainly exceeding $1 million for the building of schools.

Mr Leong Keng Seng: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, as regards this question, I have not received prior notice. Therefore, I cannot now give any answer here.

Inche Ahmad Jabri Bin Mohammad Akib (Southern Islands): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, could the Parliamentary Secretary enlighten us what schools were erected in 1959, the date of their commencement, and the date on which they were completed?

Mr Leong Keng Seng: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, just now I said that two primary schools were built - one is the Norfolk School and the other is the Ayer Rajah Malay School.

Inche Ahmad Jabri: (In Malay): My question was, when were the buildings started and when were they completed?

Mr Speaker: The Parliamentary Secretary does not appear to have any notes to reply. I take it he will supply the information later.