BATTLE FOR MERGER (Total number published, cost of publication, and sale)

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Culture to state the total number of Battle for Merger pamphlets published, the cost thereof, and the amount recouped by way of sales.

Mr S. Rajaratnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, two editions of the book were published - the hard cover edition selling for a dollar and containing appendices not included in the soft cover edition which is distributed free.

The hard cover edition was initially printed in English, and the first impression of 5,000 copies were sold. The second reprint of another 5,000 copies were issued early this month. The cost of production of the 10,000 copies is $6,623. Some 7,500 copies have been sold as from 23rd February, and the amount recovered after commission to book-sellers is $6,062. 7,500 copies of the hard cover edition in Chinese were released for sale on 6th March. The cost of this edition is $5,125. We have no returns as to the number of copies sold since they were only put on sale less than a fortnight ago. There is also a print order of 2,000 copies in Malay, costing $1,615, which will be on sale shortly.

As regards the soft cover edition, there was a first print of 100,000 copies in all the four languages at a cost of $29,159. All these have now been distributed in Singapore. However, in view of the demand for this edition not only in Singapore but also from the Federation and Borneo territories, a second reprint is now under production.

Mr David Marshall: Would the Minister indicate the expenditure of $30,000 in respect of 100,000 soft cover copies, as he calls it, and a further 100,000 copies, no doubt costing another $30,000 - are they coming out of the vote of the Ministry or are they specifically authorised?

Mr Rajaratnam: They are coming out of the vote of the Ministry. They have a special vote for printing, and they are coming out of the Publicity vote.