SETTING UP OF

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister of Defence, in view of the extra financial expenditure involved in the implementation of National Service, if he will consider setting up a "National Service Fund" and conducting a campaign for donations to the Fund from the public.

The Minister of State of Defence (Mr Wee Toon Boon) (for the Minister of Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, the extra expenditure incurred by the introduction of National Service should properly be paid out of the Consolidated Fund according to estimates approved by Parliament.

Expenditures of this kind should not be made to depend on private donations. If additional sums of money are required, they should be obtained through increased taxation.