PROSTITUTES APPREHENDED (Particulars)

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj asked the Minister for Home Affairs how many prostitutes were apprehended between 1st July. 1970, and the latest convenient date; and how many of them were (i) below the age of 21: (ii) Singapore citizens; and (iii) non-citizens.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Home Affairs (Mr L. P. Rodrigo) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, between the 1st of July, 1970, and the 26th of July. 1971, a total of 11 prostitutes were arrested for soliciting in public and 84 juvenile prostitutes were rescued from brothels. All those arrested are Singapore citizens above the age of 21. Of the 84 juvenile prostitutes. 55 are Singapore citizens and the remaining 29 are non-Singapore citizens.

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj: (In Malay): Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether these prostitutes were using hotels or private houses for soliciting?

Mr Rodrigo: Mr Speaker, Sir, as stated in my answer, these prostitutes were arrested for soliciting in public and presumably, therefore, they were arrested on public roads.

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj: (In Malay): Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary tell the House whether the prostitutes arrested were first-class or second-class prostitutes?

Mr Rodrigo: Mr Speaker. Sir, my Ministry does not classify prostitutes, nor does it have anything to do with the classification of prostitutes. This perhaps would he within the general knowledge of the Member himself!

Inche Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj: (In Malay): Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House where most of these prostitutes were found?

Mr Rodrigo: Sir, I fancy this question does not fall within the ambit of the original question, and I would like notice so as to be able to give the hon. Member the correct figures.