APPLICATIONS FOR CITIZENSHIP

Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour the total number of app1ications for citizenship received (i) between 1st January and 31st December, 1967; and (ii) between 1st January and 30th April, 1968; and what measures have been or are being taken 10 speed up the processing of applications.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Labour (Mr S. Rajaratnam): Mr Speaker Sir, the total number of applications for citizenship received between 1st January and 31st December, 1967, was 32,337. The total number received between 1st January and 30th April, 1968, was 8,338.

The hon. Member will appreciate that the grant of citizenship is a matter of privilege and not of right. A person who has the necessary residential qualifications will not automatically be granted Singapore citizenship. The hon. Member is aware that by the end of 1971 the British would have withdrawn from their bases. A great number of our citizens will lose their jobs. The complexity of our problems has been outlined by the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister in the recent series of Ministerial talks on the Crucial Years. In view of the run-down of the British forces and mounting unemployment, the Government has decided not to grant citizenship as freely as in the past. The number of cases that will be approved will now depend upon our economic position. A person who is granted citizenship must be able to make a positive contribution to the economic well-being of Singapore.