APPLICATIONS FOR SINGAPORE CITIZENSHIP IN 1965 (Particulars)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Labour if he will state, by races, the number of applications received from adults for Singapore Citizenship, and the number approved, in 1965, and the number of minors registered as Singapore Citizens in the same year.

Mr Sia Kah Hui (for the Minister for Labour): I regret to inform the hon. Member that it is not possible to give a breakdown, by race, of the number of applications received from adults for Singapore citizenship and the number approved in 1965, as the information is not readily available from the Registry of Citizenship.

The Registry does not keep a record of applications and approved cases by race as there is no racial grouping in respect of citizenship. I can only inform the hon. Member that a total of 18,669 applications were received by the Registry in 1965. This figure includes applications from minors. The number of applications approved in 1965 totals 15,295, of which 11,250 were in respect of adults and 4,045 were in respect of minors.

Mr Govindaswamy: I cannot understand the reply of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour when he says that there is no record of applications by race, is it true that there is no record by race?

Mr Speaker: I think the Parliamentary Secretary's reply is that, in the application form for citizenship, there is no requirement that race be indicated, so that the Registry does not classify applications by race. Is that correct, Mr Sia?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: Although the race of the applicant is indicated, we do not keep groupings by race. That is why the figure is not readily available, as I have said, because we are not really interested to know how many Chinese or how many Indians are made citizens.

Mr Govindaswamy: That is exactly what I am interested in, that there should be a record by race. If there is any such question by the public, we cannot furnish the number of applications from our different races. Will the Parliamentary Secretary take action to keep a record by race in future?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: If the hon. Member is really interested in it, we might be able to find out for him.

Mr Govindaswamy: It is not that, Mr Speaker. But it would be better if the information I am seeking is available, because somebody may be interested and may ask for it.

Mr Speaker: Mr Govindaswamy, I think you must not misunderstand the Parliamentary Secretary's reply. He has earlier said that the information is not readily available. But if you are pressing it, he says he will make someone get that information for you. Would you like that done?

Mr Govindaswamy: Yes, Sir.