CIVIL SERVANTS RESIGNING AFTER SPECIALISED TRAINING ABROAD (Wastage of public funds)

Mr L. P. Rodrigo asked the Minister for Finance what measures are in force to prevent a waste of public funds by the resignation of a civil servant who has been sent abroad for further or specialised training at considerable public expense.

Mr Tang See Chim (for the Minister for Finance): Mr Speaker, Sir, when an officer in the civil service is selected for a training course or scholarship award, he is required to sign a bond with the Government in which he undertakes to serve the Government for a specified period, normally five years, after completing his course. He is also required to provide two sureties guaranteeing his performance. In the event of any breach, the officer will be required to compensate the Government by payment of liquidated damages, the amount of which is calculated according to the amount the Government has expended on him and the period (or the remaining period) which he is obliged to serve the Government.

So far, the incidence of officers resigning before completing the period of their bond is low - 17 out of 479 who returned from overseas during the period 1964 to 1968. And in every case, there is no loss of public funds, as the Government is able to recover the amount of liquidated damages stipulated in the bond.