COMMISSION OF INQUIRY REPORT BY MR JUSTICE F. A. CHUA

3.12 p.m.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Mr Speaker, Sir, Members will remember that during the debate on the Budget, Mr Ong Eng Guan, who was then the Member for Hong Lim, made certain allegations against the Prime Minister and the Minister for Labour and Law. He was given every opportunity to substantiate his allegations and, in fact, on 29th December the House waited for him to appear in this Chamber to substantiate his allegations.

Mr Ong Eng Guan, however, tendered his resignation and the House could not therefore hear him. I therefore at that time announced that the Government would institute a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the truth or the falsehood of these allegations. At the same time, my motion calling for the condemnation of Mr Ong Eng Guan, the then Member for Hong Lim, for his dishonourable conduct in abusing the privilege of the Assembly was postponed sine die until the Commission of Inquiry had made its findings.

Members will know by now that the Commission of Inquiry under Justice Chua has sat and has completed its work. The Report of the Commission is now with the Government Printer and will be distributed to Members as soon as it has been printed. Members would like to know that this morning I have submitted a motion calling for a debate on the Report of the Commission of Inquiry. This debate is to be held on 1st March.

Mr Speaker: Questions may be asked on that statement.

Mr A. P. Rajah (Farrer Park): Sir, could the Deputy Prime Minister tell us when the Report will reach the hands of the Assemblymen?

Dr Toh Chin Chye: I hope to deliver printed copies to the Clerk of the Assembly tomorrow, and I presume that as soon as he receives those copies they will be distributed to Members.

Mr Rajah: Will the Deputy Prime Minister reconsider the date for the debate, in view of the lengthy report that might be submitted?

Dr Toh Chin Chye: I cannot do so, Sir, because, for one thing, I have given ample notice of the debate, and I think one week is quite ample time for Members to study the report. However, Sir, I would like to assure the Member for Farrer Park that the report does not run to volumes or several hundred pages.

Mr Speaker: Order. I might, of course, add that the presentation copy which accompanies the notice is in the Assembly Library and may be perused by hon. Members. The printed copy will reach Members as soon as possible.

Tun Lim Yew Hock (Cairnhill): Sir, will the Deputy Prime Minister give an indication whether a by-election for Hong Lim will take place?

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Mr Speaker, Sir, an indication will be given when the debate is held.

Mr Speaker: In any event, that question does not arise out of that statement. Is there any other question which arises out of the statement? No. Dr Sheng.