DETENTION FIGURES UNDER CRIMINAL LAW (TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Home Affairs how many persons now detained under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance have been detained (a) prior to June 1959, (b) since 1959, (c) since 1960, (d) since 1961, and (e) since 1962.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, as on 1st June, 1963, the position is as follows:- (a) Detained prior to June 1959 46 (b) Detained since June 1959 50 (c) Detained since 1960 129 (d) Detained since 1961 216 (e) Detained since 1962 277

Mr David Marshall: If it please you, Mr Speaker, Sir, could the Minister indicate whether there is any hope for those who have been detained for more than four years of ever being released? How long does he anticipate that they will continue in detention?

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, most of the persons detained for more than four years were non-citizens of either Singapore or the Federation of Malaya. In fact, they were down for banishment.

Mr David Marshall: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would ask of the Minister: if they are to be banished, whether in fact it takes more than four years for the machinery of banishment to take effect. That can hardly be the explanation. And whether it is really the policy of this Government that a person who is not a citizen of the Federation or Singapore and who is suspected of being a gangster should remain in prison indefinitely.

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, the delay is not on the part of the Government. In fact, all the necessary procedure is completed and the difficulty is with the recipient country. If the Member for Anson can persuade the country from which these persons came to accept them, I think they would be gone in no time.

Mr David Marshall: The Minister appreciates that until I am appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to those countries of admission, I cannot very well attempt it. But I would ask the Minister to answer my question: When does he anticipate that those persons who are not citizens of Malaya and Singapore, will no longer be detained in Singapore, will either be free or away from this State?

Mr Ong Pang Boon: Mr Speaker, Sir, the easiest way is for the detainees to accept voluntary repatriation, and the Government is prepared to pay for their passages, including the passages of their families.