AMENDMENT TO PENSIONS ORDINANCE

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider amending the Pensions Ordinance so as to enable Government officers to retire with pension, gratuity or allowance, before their retirement is due, in order to be nominated as candidates for election as members of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Singapore or of the Federal Parliament of Malaysia.

The Prime Minister: I certainly will consider the possibility of amending the Pensions Ordinance to enable Government officers to retire with pension. gratuity or allowance before their retirement is due provided it has the overwhelming support of this House.

I think gestures such as this are usually made once in the history of a people, and that is just before they get independence. I am quite prepared to consider this matter provided the House is with me.

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi (Kampong Kembangan): Could the Prime Minister indicate when he would consider making such an amendment?

The Prime Minister: I have just had notice of this question, Sir,I will be quite happy if the Member would support it with a memorandum and I will circulate it to all Members of the House and ask for their views thereon.

Mr A. P. Rajah (Farrer Park): Thereafter, the Prime Minister is supposed to reconvene the Assembly?

The Prime Minister: At the appropriate time, Mr Speaker, Sir. As I have explained publicly outside, this House will go into recess on Thursday evening. I am quite sure Members are aware that the Government is installed, or can be if it wishes, for the rest of the financial year till December 1963 and for three months thereafter. But I can assure Members opposite that we will go back to the people and renew our mandate quite some time before then.