SCIENCE CENTRE BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

3.45 p.m.

The Minister for Science and Technology (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Mr Speaker, Sir,I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The Government has received two studies on the modernisation of the existing National Museum. In brief, the conclusion is that the Natural History Division of the National Museum should be converted to a Life Sciences Division which will display the functions of the cell; how genetics lead to the existence of species, methods of reproduction, locomotion and control of behaviour by the brain.

The other proposal is that there should also be a division which will show applications of scientific principles in engineering and technology. There will be in this division a science arcade given to a series of small rooms which will cover exhibits relating to specific aspects of science, for example, the atom, sound, radar, geophysical exploration which is very relevant in Southeast Asia today. There will also be an Industrial Technology Hall dealing with the techniques made use of generally in industry.

Thirdly, there will be a Communications and Transport Hall which will show the technologies used in modern communication science and transport, and will link this to the importance of Singapore as a communications and transport centre.

These two divisions will constitute the Science Centre. It will be an autonomous statutory body responsible to the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Science Centre will be managed by a single body, and this body will have access to the public in the collection of funds. It is estimated that there will be 340,000 visitors annually to the Science Centre. It is believed that the scope and organisation proposed for the Science Centre is such that it can form a new institution with an immediate useful function and considerable potential. It is a challenging concept. The strongest claim for proceeding with the Science Centre lies in the ability of such a centre to supplement science and technical education at a time when this is one of Singapore's greatest needs. The centre will certainly be the first and only one of its kind in the region. It can well attract considerable attention from visitors coming from other nearby Asian countries as well as serving the needs of Singapore.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

3.49 p.m.

Mr J. F. Conceicao: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to voice my wholehearted support of the Bill. The Science Centre, as we have just heard, will be an autonomous statutory body. It is good to note that whilst the Science Centre Board will be ultimately responsible to the Minister for Science and Technology, it will yet have discretion over the acquisition and disposal of funds, and have adequate administrative control over its officers and employees so that it will be in a position to direct the implementation of its objectives.

The setting up of the Board has a particularly special logic. The Science Centre, we have heard, will have two components generally, namely, life sciences and technology. In the real business of living, these two aspects are, I think, inextricably intertwined. One cannot produce technologists without orientating such people to the objectives of technology, namely, to make life much better for the people. At the same time, trying to interest our people in life sciences in vacuo is, I think, a most difficult task. Understanding of the relationship between man and his environment, a perception of the ecological problem, can best be inculcated by referring to the effects of technology on man. Technology has not been an unmitigated boon. Advances in science have resulted in pollution, in noise, anti-conservation, in traffic jams, in industrial hazards, mental ill-health, and so on. It is only when we bring home to our people a sense of the vital relationship between technology and our down-to-earth living that we can ensure a better life for our people as well as help produce technicians and technologists who will contribute to this gracious life. The setting up of this Science Centre will help, I hope, to combat our ignorance of the effects in the long run of the exploitation of nature, as well as encourage our people towards such an understanding of science as will enable our society to advance to more sophisticated levels of industry.

I think we must view this Bill as laying the foundation for the establishment of the new Science Centre. This Bill will enable the Board, when it is set up, to proceed apace with the negotiation for acquisition of exhibits, training of staff, planning for the construction of the centre itself, and so on.

The centre will eventually take over the National Museum, at least the exhibits there which relate to the life sciences. May I suggest that the current site of the National Museum with its historical architectural features can serve as a centre for the exhibition of such materials as can attest to the various cultural backgrounds that make up the multi-faceted life that we enjoy in Singapore.

3.54 p.m.

Dr Augustine Tan: The idea of a Science Centre is a worthy one. I only hope that it will not turn out to be expensive. I notice that no estimates of financial expenditure are provided. While we are fully confident that our Ministers are not extravagant people, as a matter of principle and a precedent for future Ministers who may not be so trustworthy, this House may want to insist, wherever possible, on the provision of financial estimates for proposed projects. As an economist I am not used to signing blank cheques. However, on this occasion I willingly do so.

3.55 p.m.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to congratulate the Minister on introducing the Science Centre Bill. This shows that our Government is interested in advancing the technological knowledge of our country. Our country is small, and therefore we cannot expect to compete with other advanced countries in this respect. We are not able to build an atomic reactor. At the same time we cannot imagine that we will be able to assemble a satellite to survey space, because this project will entail a lot of expenditure and human resources. Nevertheless, I would like to congratulate the Minister on his far-sightedness and effort in modernising our country.

To have modernisation, we must have technology. Mr Speaker, Sir, on the face of it, this Bill will not arouse the interest of the people because it concerns science and technology. It seems to have nothing to do with the workaday life of the people. However, for the nation, this is a very important Bill. This is because it will help promote technology and science in our country.

The main purpose of this Bill is to set up a Science Centre. I am aware that the centre will entail a lot of expenditure. This Bill also provides that public donations will be exempted from income tax. This is a very enlightened measure. I would like to raise a few questions and hope the Minister will clarify them.

Firstly, what benefit will the centre bring to the country?

Secondly, where will the centre be located and what will the Government spend on the building and equipment of the centre?

Thirdly, what kind of research will be carried out, and with what methods?

3.57 p.m.

Dr Chiang Hai Ding (Ulu Pandan): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Science Centre Bill, which the Minister has explained to us, will lead to the establishment and maintenance of a Science Centre which will exhibit objects related to life sciences as well as science and technology. The Explanatory Note states that the function of the existing National Museum as a natural museum will be taken over by the Science Centre Board. However, the National Museum also has exhibits which depict the growth of civilisation in Southeast Asia and the development of modern Singapore. I wish to enquire of the Minister what will happen to these exhibits, and where can Singaporeans see them in the future. It will be a pity if, in our laudable efforts to promote the dissemination of knowledge in science and technology, we lose sight of the larger human canvas against which our industrial achievements ought to be seen

3.58 p.m.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Mr Speaker, Sir, several Members have made inquiries concerning the running expenses of the Science Centre, and raised questions on the future of the anthropological exhibits which are at present located in the National Museum. I would like to add that the members of the National Museum Board have recommended that the Science Centre be located at a new site. I have no doubt that when the Science Centre Board has been appointed, it will be actively engaged in searching for a new location for the Science Centre. I am hoping that the anthropological exhibits in the National Museum will be permitted to remain there, and that they, together with paintings and other artefacts, can form an art gallery for the future. The Ministry of Culture has been responsible for raising funds for an art gallery. At present, although we are not quite certain what progress has been achieved in its fund-raising campaigns, I have no doubt that the Ministry of Culture will be only too happy to acquire the present building, which is now the National Museum, so that it can house the art gallery and whatever ancient antiques that we may collect from time to time.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Dr Toh Chin Chye].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.