PERSONS DETAINED UNDER CRIMINAL LAW (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE AS ON 31ST MARCH, 1962

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what was the number of persons detained under the provisions of section 55 of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance as on 31st March, 1962; (b) how many of these persons have been detained for more than 3 years; (c) how many have been detained for more than two years; and (d) how many persons detained under the Ordinance are detained (i) in Changi Gaol, and (ii) in Pulau Senang.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, the number of persons detained under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance as on 31st March, 1962, is 804. Of the 804 under detention, 85 persons have been detained for more than three years; 235 have been detained for more than two years. Of those detained, 375 are in Changi Prison and 423 in Pulau Senang. Up to date, a total of 135 detainees have been released from Pulau Senang.

Mr David Marshall: Does the Minister envisage the danger that constant companionship and common hardship over a long period of time of detained suspected gangsters may result in coalescing anti-social forces to the detriment of the country?

Mr Speaker: Order. That is a question which puts forward the Member's own point of view and cannot be asked at Question Time. He can raise it by way of an adjournment speech or any other way open to him, but not during Question Time.

Mr David Marshall: May I inquire whether the Minister envisages any danger in having these people together?

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, from our experience of Pulau Senang, the result is just the opposite of what the Member for Anson is afraid of.

Mr David Marshall: May we know the result, Sir, and the policy of the Government in connection with the release of these people or their treatment?

Mr Speaker: That is a different question.