RADIO AND TV SINGAPURA (Conversion into statutory corporation)

The following Question stood in the name of Mr P. Selvadurai -

Mr P. Selvadurai: To ask the Minister for Culture if he will make a statement on the proposed conversion of Radio and TV Singapura into a statutory corporation; the need for such a conversion, and if such a conversion will result in changes in the cultural policy hitherto pursued by the Government in relation to Radio and TV programmes.

Mr Speaker: Mr Selvadurai.

Mr Conceicao: Question No. 16.

The Acting Minister for Culture (Mr Wee Toon Boon): Mr Speaker, Sir, it has been thought for quite some time that the public of Singapore will be better served by a Radio and Television Service that is run by a statutory board or even by a commercial corporation. The pros and cons of this view have received considerable study and the advice of an overseas expert has also been obtained, but a final decision has yet to be made.

The main advantage of a statutory hoard or of a commercial corporation, as opposed to a Government department of Radio and TV, is that such a structure leads to better operational efficiency and convenience. Radio and Television has just become financially independent in so far as recurrent ex penditure is concerned and it is now possible, therefore, to give serious consideration to a structural change.

Whatever the outcome of that consideration, there is no reason to suggest that the cultural and overall policy must be changed as a result of a change in structural organisation.