NON-CITIZENS IN DIVISION I APPOINTMENTS IN CIVIL SERVICE (Number)

Mr Bernard Rodrigues asked the Minister for Finance the number of non-citizens in Division I appointments in the Civil Service.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance (Mr S. Ramaswamy) (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are 208 non-citizens holding Division I appointments in the Civil Service.

Mr Bernard Rodrigues: Sir, will the Parliamentary Secretary consider fixing a time limit to take up citizenship for those civil servants who are eligible to apply for Singapore citizenship but have not done so; and what is the position of such appointments held by civil servants who are non-Singapore citizens?

Mr Ramaswamy: The Government does not, today, require the serving non-citizen Division I officers to take up Singapore citizenship. But if there is any promotion, their citizenship status will be one of the factors which will be considered.