GOVERNMENT AND MISSION SCHOOLS (Extensions made in 1959)

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Minister for Education to how many Government and Mission schools were substantial extensions made in 1959.

Mr Leong Keng Seng: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been directed by the Minister for Education to reply. In 1959 no Government schools had substantial extensions. But nine mission schools had received Government aid and had substantial extensions made.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I wonder whether the hon. Member will be able to give us the names of the nine mission schools.

Mr Leong Keng Seng: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the nine schools are: the Anglican High School, the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, Montfort School, the Kuo Chuan Girls' School, St. Margaret's School, St. Theresa's Convent, Ming Sin School, Yok See School, and Red Swastika School.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: I wonder whether by "extension" is meant what the Member for Nee Soon just now said, physical extension - I beg your pardon, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health.

An hon. Member: Education.

Mr Speaker: Order.

Mr Leong Keng Seng: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the extensions include class-rooms, libraries, school tuckshops, scientific installations and other equipments.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sorry I did not make myself clear. I used the same term as was used by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health. By "physical extension" I meant construction - the extension of buildings. Or "extension" could just mean, according to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, extra equipment supplied in, let us say, a science laboratory.

Mr Speaker: Order. I might inform Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and hon. Members that if questions involve a great deal of detail, as these questions seem to involve, then the right thing to do is to say that the details will be circulated in the Official Report, because I do not think the time of Members of the Assembly should be spent in this way. Details, as I have said, can always be circulated in the Official Report, and if they are not sufficient, then of course hon. Members could ask further questions later.