MALAYANISATION OF CITY COUNCIL POSTS

[Mr SPEAKER in the Chair]

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Prime Minister (a) how many expatriates are still holding posts in the City Council; (b) when these posts will eventually be Malayanised: and (c) whether experienced local officers are receiving training locally or abroad to prepare them for taking over from the expatriates.

The Prime Minister (Mr Lee Kuan Yew): Sir, at the moment there are 10 expatriate officers in the Departments of the City Council which have been integrated with the Departments of the Government. Two of the expatriate officers are on the permanent service, having been offered guaranteed employment by the former City Council under its Malayanisation scheme, one up to 1964 and the other up to 1966. Eight expatriate officers are on contracts, of which four will expire during the course of this year: two in 1963 and one in 1964. One expatriate officer is on a month-to-month basis.

Local officers in City Council Departments which have been integrated with the Government are receiving training locally and overseas or have been earmarked for further training and will replace expatriate officers as planned for in Government service. There are 27 expatriate officers now holding posts in the City Council Departments that will form the Public Utilities Board. Twelve of these officers were offered guaranteed employment by the former City Council under its Malayanisation scheme as follows:- 4 up to 1964 2 up to 1966 1 up to 1967 4 up to 1969 1 up to 1976 Two other expatriate officers are on the permanent establishment, hut their services are subject to a six-month notice of termination on either side. They will attain the retiring age of 55 in 1968 and 1969. Thirty expatriate officers are on contracts, of which one will expire this year, one in 1963, 10 in 1964, one in 1969. Local officers in the City Council Departments that will form the Public Utilities Board are being given training locally as well as overseas to enable them to qualify for the higher appointments at present held by expatriate officers. Eight of them are studying for electrical engineering degrees, and five for chemical engineering degrees in Australia. The final selection of all local officers for higher appointments, including those held by expatriate officers, will be made by the Public Service Commission.