COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO CHINESE SECONDARY FOUR EXAMINATION BOYCOTT (Expenditure and legal fees involved)

Dr Lee Siew Choh asked the Minister for Education what expenditure was involved in the Commission of Inquiry into the Chinese Secondary Four Examination Boycott in November/December 1961; how many legal representatives were engaged by the Government, on whose behalf were they engaged and from which legal firms; and what amount of legal fees was paid in each case.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Mr Lee Khoon Choy) (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked to reply. The expenditure to date for the Commission of Inquiry into the Government Secondary Four (Chinese) Examination Boycott in 1961 is $18,026.04.

Only one legal representative was engaged by the Government. This legal representative was engaged as Counsel for the Minister for Education. The solicitor concerned is attached to the legal firm of solicitors, Messrs. Lee and Lee. He was paid token fees on the basis of assigned Assize cases, i.e. token fees intended to defray a lawyer of his transport and out-of-pocket expenses when he undertakes the duty to defend an accused charged with murder at the request of the Court.

The total amount of legal fees paid to date covering 79 sittings of the Commission amounted to $9,675.

Mr David Marshall: Was he charged with murder?

Mr Speaker: Order.

Dr Lee Siew Choh: The Government has already a Deputy Public Prosecutor helping the Government to look into the investigations. Why was it necessary to have another lawyer from outside to help the Minister for Education?

Mr Lee Khoon Choy: Mr Speaker, Sir, the legal representative was acting for the Minister for Education in his capacity as a Minister.

Dr Lee Siew Choh: How did the counsel from Messrs. Lee and Lee happen to have been employed?

Mr Lee Khoon Choy: I believe he has faith in the firm.