REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON MINIMUM STANDARDS OF LIVELIHOOD AND REPORT ON SOCIAL SECURITY MEASURE

[Mr SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Labour whether (a) Government would consider tabling a White Paper on the Report of the Committee on Minimum Standards of Livelihood (Cmd. 5 of 1957) and the Report to the Government of Singapore on Social Security Measures (Cmd. 56 of 1957); and (b) he will indicate what measures Government has in mind for this Session in the fields of social security and unemployment insurance.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour (Mr Wee Toon Boon) (for the Minister for Labour): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government has studied not only these two Reports, but three other Reports on this subject. Each of these Reports examines the findings of the Committee receiving it. All these actions had been taken under the previous Government resulting m proliferation of paper without any decisions. The view of the Government is that these measures cannot be proceeded with unless the support of organised labour is obtained. Without it, the implementation of social security is impracticable.

My Minister had already stated, in answer to a previous question, that leaders of certain sections of organised labour had opposed the introduction of social unemployment insurance on a contributory basis. These leaders are Messrs. Lim Ching Siong, S. Woodhull, D. Puthucheary and the Member for Thomson.

To force contributory social security against the wishes of organised labour is something which does not appeal to this Government. The Government considers that these measures can only be successfully introduced if both the unions and employers are prepared for a contributory social security scheme. The unions and employers will be asked for joint discussions and the Government hopes that after a thorough exchange of views, agreement can be reached on unemployment insurance as the first step to a more comprehensive social security scheme.

Mr David Marshall (Anson): Am I to understand, Mr Speaker, Sir, that in fact, there have been no discussions in the past on this aspect?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: May the Member repeat the question, Sir?

Mr David Marshall: If I might assist, the Parliamentary Secretary said that discussions will be held with unions and employers. Does that mean that there have been , no discussions in the past on this vital issue?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, as far as consultations between union leaders and the Government are concerned, they have taken place, but not discussions between Government and the employers yet.

Mr David Marshall: Would the Government consider publishing a White Paper in respect of its own recommendations and the course of events which have arisen since it made those recommendations? The people of Singapore are entitled to know.

Mr Speaker: It is a supplementary question. Mr Wee.

Mr Wee Toon Boon: As I have said just now, Mr Speaker, Sir, Government hopes, through discussions with the parties concerned, i.e., employers and unions, that it will be able to find a basis of introducing the social security scheme,

Mr David Marshall: When is it anticipated that these discussions will be held?

Mr Wee Toon Boon: Of course, Mr Speaker, Sir, as soon as the Minister is convenient to look into this matter.