PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (1-6-64 - 30-9-64)

Mr Ong Lian Teng asked the Minister for Social Affairs between 1st June, 1964, and 30th September, 1964, (a) how many of the people who were in receipt of public assistance had had their assistance stopped; (b) how many had had their assistance reduced; and (c) what was the total amount involved in each case.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng): Mr Speaker, Sir, because of the increasing expenditure on public assistance and of reports received that a large number of public assistance recipients had not been reporting on their true family circumstances and were thus continuing to draw public assistance although they were, in fact, not eligible, it was decided early this year to conduct a systematic review of all public assistance cases.

Between 1st June, 1964, and 30th September, 1964, a total of 5,982 public assistance cases were reviewed and, as a result,

(a) 1,112 cases had their public assistance payments stopped;

(b) 1,285 cases had their public assistance payments reduced;

(c) the total amount involved for the said period in respect of (a) was $45,030, and in respect of (b), $19,977.

It should be pointed out that out of a total of 5,982 cases reviewed during the period in question 3,585 cases (i.e, about 60 per cent) were not affected in any way. Of the 2,397 cases affected, a total of 315 cases involving $4,191 had their public assistance restored or increased as a result of appeals made by them and further investigation.

I should also like to add that the annual expenditure on public assistance has been steadily rising from year to year.

I have available the figures of public assistance for the period 1952 to 1963. The figures are of inordinate length, and with your permission, Sir, they will be circulated in the Official Report. Following are the figures:- Year P.A. Expenditure $ 1952 913,104 1953 2,423,503 1954 3,595,311 1955 4,799,584 1956 5,576,801 1957 6,229,655 1958 6,922,409 1959 7,746,840 1960 7,398,179 1961 7,216,554 1962 8,890,021 1963 9,723,464