NEW UMAR PULAVAR SCHOOL AT MAXWELL ROAD

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Minister for Education when was aid to build a new Umar Pulavar School at Maxwell Road initiated.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: On 18th of March, 1959, the last Legislative Assembly, inter alia, approved an application for supplementary vote of $76,225 as capital grant for a new Umar Pulavar School. I have additional information on this school which may assuage the thirst for knowledge on the part of the Member for Mountbatten, who appears to have become inspired and activated after her recent visit to Taiwan.

Mr Speaker: Order. The Minister is always inclined to indulge in personalities, but they are completely irrelevant to the question. The question is quite clear and straightforward, and perhaps the Minister will give a clear and straightforward answer.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: They do receive bits of information. The fact is that, at the time the application for a capital grant for the new Umar Pulavar School was put before the last Assembly, her colleague in the Singapore People's Alliance, the Member for Cairnhill, was the Chief Minister, the Minister for Education, and concurrently the honour-able patron of this Government-aided Tamil school. Patrons of aided schools are normally expected to provide financial aid out of their own pockets and not appear generous by dispensing with public money.

Tun Lim Yew Hock: Does the Hon. Minister imply that the vote to establish, the building of the first Tamil High School was not in order?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have mentioned concurrent facts for the House to know.

Tun Lim Yew Hock: Is it not a fact that it was a dollar for dollar vote, as all other aided schools are receiving aid?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Of course, it is a dollar for a dollar.

Mr Rajah: Does the Minister suggest that this Government's contribution was an improper one? If so, why does he suggest it?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, in answer to the Member for Farrer Park, I never suggested that it was not in order. I only said that the concurrent facts were such.

Mr Rajah: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister now says he did not suggest it. But that is the impression which this side of the House got. I am glad he has withdrawn that suggestion.