CASE OF SARDARA SINGH, FORMER ACTING SERGEANT, SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

Mr David Marshall (Anson): Mr Speaker, Sir, I will only take five minutes. I know the House will be happy to hear that.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I acted in a professional capacity for a man called Sardara Singh, a former Acting Sergeant of the Singapore Police Force. The matter is ended. He has left Singapore. I have no further pecuniary or professional interest in the matter, nor any personal interest apart from certain facts which I have gleaned which, to my mind, raise very grave public issues.

However, Sir, you have indicated that it might possibly be deemed improper for me to bring forward a matter in which I have professionally acted in spite of the fact that I have no further pecuniary interest. In the circumstances, I quite naturally am anxious to have even that important principle clarified.

In the circumstances, Sir, I would welcome a reference of this matter to the Committee of Privileges, and until such time as the Committee of Privileges decides the issue, the subject matter of my motion will stay in abeyance. I would like to invite, if I may, Mr Speaker, Sir, the Leader of the House, who normally does these matters, to move that this subject be committed to the Committee of Privileges.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Mr Speaker, I confirm that we have discussed this matter brought up by the Member for Anson and I raise it as a matter of privilege.

Mr Speaker: I have satisfied myself that it is a matter prima facie affecting the privileges of the House, and I therefore refer the matter to the Committee of Privileges.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly do now adjourn.

Adjourned accordingly at Two minutes past Eight o'clock p.m.