ASSISTANCE FROM UNITED NATIONS F.A.O., W.H.O. AND T.A.A.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Minister for Finance how much assistance does Singapore get from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation, World Health Organisation and Technical Assistance Administration.

Mr Low Por Tuck (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked to reply to the question:

(a) The assistance from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation has been limited in the main to the supply of publications, bulletins and information on assistance on livestock, plant quarantine and on fisheries. In 1958, a Veterinary Officer attended an Agricultural Extension Seminar organised by the Organisation.

(b) The World Health Organisation has for a number of years supplied specialist staff under its regular programme and Technical Assistance Programme. These staff have helped in nursing education, the preparation of modern hospital records systems and the establishment of an island-wide domiciliary midwifery service. The estimated cost of the Organisation's expenditure on the aforementioned programme in 1960 amounts to U.S. $76,896.

In addition, the Organisation has awarded a number of fellowships for advanced specialised training. In 1960, an award was given for a Public Health Tutor Course in the United Kingdom.

(c) The United Nations Technical Assistance Administration in 1960 supplied an iron and steel expert on a 2½ months assignment to make initial investigations to consider the feasibility of establishing a steel industry in the State. Since October, there has been a seven-man Industrial Survey Team provided by the U.N.T.A.A. to assess the State's potential for industrial expansion.