FIRST AND SECOND CLASS BAR LICENCES (Figures)

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Finance how many first-class and second-class bar licences were issued during the period 1st January to 20th November, 1966, and how many first-class and second-class bars were there in Singapore on 20th November, 1966.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr S. Ramaswamy) (for the Minister for Finance): From the 1st of January to 20th of November, 1966, 30 first-class public house licences and two second-class public house licences were issued. There are 294 first-class public house and 59 second-class public house licences now.

Mr Ho See Beng: A supplementary question, Sir. In view of the high figure of first-class bar licences issued by the Government, will the Minister consider imposing a moratorium on the issue of bar licences, as I have been informed that young bar waitresses, who are engaged to sit with the customers, also take on other assignments? In view of my information, this practice will bring about a very adverse moral effect on our young population. So I would like to ask the Minister to consider my request to impose a moratorium on the issue of bar licences.

Mr Lim Kim San: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have not had the pleasure of pub-crawling. So I am not able to confirm whether what the hon. Member says is true. But our policy here is to allow freedom to people to trade. If there is any danger of moral turpitude, I think we will tackle it in some other way, rather than by restriction of bar licences.