MALAYSIA SOLIDARITY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (Appointment and expenses of Singapore delegate)

Mr David Marshall asked the Prime Minister (a) who appointed the Member for Geylang Serai as a delegate of Singapore to the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee which met in Jesselton in August, 1961; and (b) whether the expenses of the Member for Geylang Serai in connection with his visit to Jesselton to attend that meeting were paid out of public funds and by what authority.

The Prime Minister: The Member for Geylang Serai was appointed a delegate of Singapore to the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee which met in Jesselton in August 1961 by the Government Members of the Singapore delegation to the C.P.A. Conference in Singapore in July after discussion with Opposition Member delegates to the same Conference. His expenses amounted to $596, and so did those of the Minister for Culture who also went to the Jesselton Conference. They were paid out of the Conference vote under Head 28, sub-head 10. This vote is under the control of the Ministry of Finance.

Dr Lee Siew Choh (Queenstown): The Prime Minister said that the Government Members consulted the Opposition Members. Did the Prime Minister realise that our Opposition Member, the Member for Choa Chu Kang, was never consulted?

The Prime Minister: Mr Speaker, Sir, we would have saved ourselves a lot of trouble if Members of the new Barisan Sosialis Party had indicated their stand on the confidence motion on 20th July. We asked them where they stood: for or against the Government. They said they were not against the Government. Therefore they could not be the Opposition. Now they complain that, in fact, they were the Opposition and that they were not consulted. So they cannot have it both ways. Now that they are clearly in the Opposition, if there is to be any consultation, we shall take in the Member for Queenstown.

Mr Ong Chang Sam (Choa Chu Kang): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I refer to what the Prime Minister has said just now. Although I took part in the C.P.A. Conference, I was not invited to discuss the question of representatives. Therefore, the Government did not have a discussion with us regarding the choice of representatives to the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee.

Mr Speaker: I think I must make it clear that we are on supplementary questions. We are not debating this question. But if the hon. Member has a supplementary question, he can ask it.

The Prime Minister (Mr Lee Kuan Yew): (In Mandarin): On the 20th of July, at a sitting of this Assembly when we debated the motion of confidence in the Government, the Member for Choa Chu Kang did not indicate that he was against the Government; so we presumed that he supported it. It was only on the 31st of October that we knew he went over to the Opposition. The meeting was held in August without inviting him, because he did not seek contact with us. Therefore, we were not responsible for that.

Dr Sheng Nam Chin (Nee Soon): Mr Speaker, Sir, is it the contention of the Prime Minister that all Assemblymen on the Government Benches will automatically agree with Government policies whether in principle or in minute details - and that without consulting them at the beginning, he can assume that they have agreed with all his policies? If that were so -

Mr Speaker: Order. I think the hon. Member is going a little too far. We are now dealing with the appointment of a representative to the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee. If he has a supplementary question on that, he may ask it, but not on the wider implications of policy and so on.

Mr Ong Chang Sam: (In Mandarin): A Minister of the Government should take notice that he should hold consultations with the others.

Mr Speaker: There again I think we are perhaps entering into a debate. There does not seem to be any supplementary question to be answered.

The Prime Minister (Mr Lee Kuan Yew): (In Mandarin): I think our Party Whip has carried out his duty. Of course, he has to inform all Members concerned.

Dr Lee Siew Choh: Did the Prime Minister inform the President of the C.P.A. about the matter?

The Prime Minister: Sir, I was on leave at that moment, and the Acting Prime Minister was the Leader of the House. I do not think he was in any way connected with the C.P.A. delegates to this Conference.

Mr Speaker: I think we have had enough of debate. If any hon. Member wishes to raise the question, he will have an opportunity either on the adjournment or in a motion.