LEGISLATION TO COUNTERBALANCE DISPOSAL OF ESTATES BY WILL

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Health and Law whether Government will consider introducing legislation in this Session (a) to counterbalance, for the protection of dependants, the complete freedom of disposal of estates by Will; and (b) to meet the position whereby part of an intestate's estates is taken by the State where the deceased leaves only a widow and no next-of-kin.

Mr K. M. Byrne: Mr Speaker, Sir, Bills to curtail the complete freedom of disposal of estates by Will by making statutory provision for the protection of the families and dependants of deceased status, and to make changes in the law regulating intestates' succession and the right of the State to bona vacantia where the deceased leaves only a widow with no next-of-kin, have been drafted and have been sent to the Singapore Bar Committee for their comments. These Bills will be introduced in the Legislative Assembly after the views of the Singapore Bar Committee have been obtained. But I cannot assure the House that these Bills will be introduced during this Session.