ADJOURNMENT TO A LATER DAY MOTION

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Sir, I beg to move,

That at the conclusion of the business set down on the Order Paper, this Assembly do stand adjourned to a date to be fixed by the Leader of the House,

Sir, the explanation is this. Members of the House are aware that during the Second Reading of the Singapore National Referendum Bill, we expressed the hope that this Bill would go through a Select Committee before the end of April, so that it could come up before this House for its Third Reading.

It is our desire that at the next sitting of this Assembly, this Referendum Bill will be debated on the Third Reading. Members of the House are also aware that today only one Bill has been introduced by the Government for Second Reading at a future sitting. That being so, we would like to include the Singapore National Referendum Bill in the business for the next sitting of the Assembly.

Mr Speaker, since you are the Chairman of the Select Committee, on the Singapore National Referendum Bill, and therefore responsible for the passage of this Bill through Select Committee, we will have to await the Report of the Select Committee on the Bill before we can fix a date for the next sitting.

Mr Speaker: Just to correct a point made by the Deputy Prime Minister procedurally. I think the Deputy Prime Minister has asserted that the Speaker will be responsible for the passage of the Referendum Bill through Select Committee. That is not strictly correct. The time of the Select Committee is at the disposal of Members of the Select Committee. I have no doubt the three Ministers on the Select Committee will see that the Bill is considered as expeditiously as possible.

Question proposed.

Mr David Marshall: Mr Speaker, Sir, we have seen today an exhibition of the discourtesy of the Leader of the House which is a shining example of the reason why we have no confidence in him whatsoever. It is a matter of normal parliamentary procedure for a Leader worth his salt to consult Members of the opposition, or to advise them in advance, when he seeks to lift Standing Orders for any special reason.

Mr Speaker: Order. The Member for Anson is completely out of order. He is not permitted to debate that particular motion. That motion just goes to the vote without amendment or debate. We are now on this particular motion which is,

That at the conclusion of the business set down on the Order Paper, this Assembly do stand adjourned to a date to be fixed by the Leader of the House.

Mr David Marshall: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am explaining the reason why I am voting against the motion and why the others should vote against it. And the reason is to express strong disapproval and lack of confidence in the Leader.

Mr Speaker: Any other Member who wishes to speak on the motion? No? Dr Toh, in reply.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Sir, I am not usually a virulent man, which fact probably a majority of the Members of this House will admit. But as the Member for Anson has expressed in so vigorous terms his disapproval of my conduct, I am afraid I have to reply to him.

Personally I would say this to the Member for Anson: that the time of the Government and the time of the Assembly is not at the behest of the Member for Anson. When we had the motion which we are supposed to debate this evening, he was absent. When we had the amendment moved by the Member for Anson on Malaysia, where was he? He was in Brunei attending to his business, and probably getting a handsome income for it.

I see no reason why I should ever consult him, seeing that he has shown his disrespect to this House, and consecutively running away from voting on all amendment -

Mr Speaker: Order. I do not think the Deputy Prime Minister is entitled to say that the Member for Anson or any Member has run away from voting.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Absconded!

Mr Speaker: Order. I am afraid I did not hear that word. Perhaps the Deputy Prime Minister can now pull himself together and, let us get on with the business of the day.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: As I have pointed out to this House, we are under no obligation to consult the Member for Anson, because the time of the Government, which is responsible for the administration of the country, and the time of this Assembly, which is responsible for legislation, will be wasted upon him: or to adapt our time so that he can fit it in with his business appointments. Therefore, if the Member for Anson disapproves of me and has no confidence in me, let him correct his behaviour, and probably we may hope one day that the Pied Piper of Anson may be a person who can also be believed or trusted.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That at the conclusion of the business set down on the Order Paper, this Assembly to stand adjourned to a date to be fixed by the Leader of the House.