PUBLIC RECEPTIONS IN SRI TAMASEK SINCE 2.2.63 (Total cost)

Tun Lim Yew Hock asked the Prime Minister how many receptions for the public have been held in Sri Tamasek since 2nd February, 1963; what is the total cost of these receptions, and against what vote is this cost charged.

The Prime Minister: Sir, according to my social diary, I have given two receptions at Sri Tamasek since the 2nd of February, 1963. One on the 16th February to the farmers who gave warm support for the Veterinary Services Extension Station at 9� m.s. Tampines Road, and the other on the 19th March in honour of the recipients of State honours. I do not consider it in good taste to the many people who accepted my hospitality to state publicly the cost per head expended.

Mr David Marshall: State hospitality.

The Prime Minister: Indeed, Sir, I hope from time to time the Member for Anson would grace the occasion. These people have graciously accepted my hospitality in spite of the sparse and the frugal fare, and no point is served by publicly underlining this fact. If the hon. Member is sincerely interested in factual information, he can get the exact cost of these receptions and I shall supply him with the number of persons invited and present so that he can work it out per head from the representative of his Party on the Public Accounts Committee of the House. Payments are all made out of the Entertainment Expenses vote.

Tun Lim Yew Hock: Mr Speaker, Sir, is it not a f-act that members of the public who were most helpful to the Prime Minister during his visits throughout the constituencies were invited to Sri Tamasek after his visits?

Mr Speaker: Order. That is only volunteering information. What is the supplementary question?

Tun Lim Yew Hock: The point is this. The Prime Minister says there were only two receptions, but as far as we know there were more.

Mr Speaker: The question is - were there more?

The Prime Minister: The question as framed says: how many receptions have been held in Sri Tamasek since 2nd February? And my social diary shows two. He can check up with the sentries. If he wants, I will get a check properly made. I myself do not keep a note-book of these matters, Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not make money out of receptions, nor do I spend money on them. Unlike some other satay parties where I know one political Party spent $15,000 just eating satay ---

Mr Speaker: Order. Surely that does not arise from the question itself. Question No. 7.