PERMIT FOR PRINTING AND PUBLISHING OF NEWSPAPER (Government policy)

Mr C. H. Koh asked the Minister for Home Affairs what policy is adopted by the Government in the matter of granting a permit for the printing and publishing of a newspaper, and what are the conditions endorsed by him on such permits.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker. Sir, the policy at present followed under the Printing Presses Ordinance is to grant permits in all cases, save when it is considered that a publication will be used for the publication of material which is undesirable or which contravenes generally accepted standards of decency and morality or to promote alien loyalties among the people of Singapore or for subversive purposes. The bona fides, competency, sense of responsibility and financial position of each applicant for a permit are also taken into consideration.

The conditions* which are endorsed on such permits are too long for me to

• Appendix I, cols. 881-2. read out, and, with your permission, Sir, I shall have them circulated in the Official Report.

Copy of conditions handed in.

Mr C. H. Koh: Mr Speaker, Sir, may the Hon, the Minister for Home Affairs inform us whether he considers anti-P.A.P. articles to be undesirable articles?

Mr Speaker: That is a matter of opinion. Mr C. H. Koh, Question 8.