SOCIAL ESCORT SERVICES

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Defence whether the Police have deemed it necessary to look into the matter of the growing number of' agencies offering social escort services in Singapore; and whether he considers any' legislation necessary in this regard.

Mr Lim Kim San: Sir, the police are always looking into illegal activities. I do not know whether tourist agencies are largely engaged in illegal activities, but the police have kept an eye on them and, up to date, my information is that they suspect hat some of them are up to no good. There are 106 of these firms registered and where they are suspected of carrying on activities which the Member for Katong has in mind, the Anti-Vice Branch will take appropriate action.

Mr J. F. Conceicao (Katong): Sir, I had in mind the regulations administered by the Tourist Promotion Board. If I may just quote from the Tourist Promotion (Certification and Control of Guides) Regulations, 1964:

'No person, other than a person whose name is on the Register and who has been issued a letter of authority under the provisions of sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (1) of regulation 7 of these Regulations, shall be entitled to act as a tourist guide for remuneration:'.

If I may just add, Sir, many of these escort services purport to offer tourist services and, as such, they may be infringing the Regulations. Will the Minister consider taking action if there is infringement of these Regulations?

Mr Lim Kim San: Sir, I have never made use of this escort service. Personally, I cannot say that I am aware of this state of affairs. But where there is an infringement of the Regulations, I can assure Members that the police will take appropriate action.