NON-PAYMENT OF INCOME TAX ON ANNUAL VALUE OF OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSES

Dr Thio Chan Bee asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that house owners in the Federation who occupy their own houses are not required to pay income tax on the annual value of such houses; and whether he is prepared to give the same concession to owner-occupied houses in Singapore.

Mr Ramaswamy (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, this Government already announced on 3rd April, 1963, that it will provide the same concession on the same basis, except that the limit of the net value of a house eligible for exemption should not exceed $3,000.

Dr Thio Chan Bee: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance please explain why the answer to this question was first given outside this Assembly over Radio Singapore and in the Press rather than at this sitting, thus making it appear that he was jumping the gun to beat the Assembly?

Mr Ramaswamy: Before the Member filed his question, the Government had decided to announce this, but because of administrative formalities, it took some time.

Tun Lim Yew Hock: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek your ruling? When a question is asked in this House, and two days before the Assembly sits a member of the Government gave over Radio Singapore the answer. Could you please give that ruling?

Mr Speaker: I really do not know what ruling is asked for. But I am here as the guardian of the Standing Orders and order in this Assembly. The fact that the Minister or any other Member of the Assembly chooses to make a statement outside this Assembly before making a statement in this Assembly is, of course, his own desire. But it is something which Members ought to think very carefully about, because Members who take that course could be accused in this Assembly of being discourteous to this Assembly.