NATIONAL CULTURAL BRIGADE (Statement on progress of formation)

Mr Ong Chang Sam asked the Minister for Culture when the National Cultural Brigade will be set up and if he will make a statement on the progress. of its formation.

The Minister for Culture (Mr S. Rajaratnam): Mr Speaker, Sir, plans relating to the organisation of the Cultural Brigade have been completed and a number of possible recruits have been interviewed. The Brigade will be in operation as soon as a sufficient number of suitable personnel can be recruited. We hope we will be able to launch the Brigade sometime next year.

Mr Ong Chang Sam: (In Mandarin): The Minister for Culutre is aware that last year the Government promised to set up this Cultural Brigade, but up to now this has not been done. Is this due to any political reason?

Mr Rajaratnam: It is not because of political reasons.