TELEVISION

Miss Fung Yin Ching asked the Minister for Culture (i) what sum of money has been expended by Government on the introduction of the television service; and (ii) on whose authority did the Permanent Secretary to his Ministry suggest to coffee-shop owners that they consider installing television sets in their shops.

Mr Rajaratnam: With regard to the first question, the total sum of money expended on the introduction of television service is $3,683,863.07.

With regard to the second question, the suggestion to coffee-shop owners that they consider installing television sets in their shops comes within the administrative authority of the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Culture.

Mr Ong Chang Sam: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister for Culture assure this House that the licences of those coffee-shops which do not install television sets will not be cancelled?

Mr Rajaratnam: We cannot guarantee anything which we have not suggested to the coffee-shop owners. There is no suggestion to the coffee-shop owners that if they do not install television sets their licences will be cancelled.

Mr Chan Sun Wing: (In Mandarin): Has the Minister for Culture noticed that the request by the Permanent Secretary to his Ministry has given the impression to many coffee-shop owners that if they do not install television sets in their shops they may be embarrassed when they apply for a renewal of their Licences?

Mr Speaker: That is not a supplementary Question. That is offering information. Is there a question?

Mr Chan Sun Wing: My question is whether the Minister is aware that the result of this -

Mr Speaker: Order. That is not a question. Probably the question is: will the Minister do anything about it? Is that the question?

Mr Chan Sun Wing: My question is this: is the Minister aware that the suggestion by the Permanent Secretary has caused coffee-shop owners to be worried over the renewal of their licences?

Mr Speaker: That is still giving information. There is no question. Mr Tan Cheng Tong.