POLICE JUNIOR OFFICERS (New structure and salary scales) (Statement by the Minister for Finance)

3.27p.m.

Mr Hon Sui Sen: Mr Speaker, Sir, there has been some speculation about revision of salaries and terms and conditions of service for the Police Junior Officers arising from the Lee Soo Ann Report. I should like to state that the Lee Soo Ann Committee's recommendations with regard to the structure and salary scales for the Police Junior Officers have been accepted in principle by the Government, and will be implemented in the new fiscal year on 1stX April, 1972.

Under the new structure, there will be three ranks of Constables, Sergeants and Assistant Inspectors to replace the present six ranks. The new ranks of Constables and Sergeants will be accorded Division III status, while the new rank of Assistant Inspectors will be in Division II, thereby being eligible' for higher rates of vacation leave and other benefits in their respective enhanced status.

The new salary scales to be implemented on 1st April, 1972, will be - Constable $170 x l5A - 215/285 x 20A - 425/445 x 20A - 625; Sergeant $385 x 20A - 505/555 x 30A - 765; Assistant Inspector $600 x 30A - 690/750 x 35A - 925.

With these improved salary scales,. Police Junior Officers will be expected to carry out greater responsibilities commensurate with their new status.

In the interval between now and 1st April next year, a suitable method of' conversion of serving officers from the' existing salary scales to the new structure will be worked out. Agreement between my Ministry and the Ministry of Home Affairs on the method of conversion has not yet been reached. It is not possible to accept the conversions recommended by the Lee Soo Ann Committee, partly because those conversions were based on the assumption that all allowances will be abolished. The Ministry of Home Affairs has, however, made strong representation to retain some of these allowances and convert others to incremental credits. My Ministry has accepted this. Hence, adjustments to the salary conversions' proposed by the Report will be necessary.

Pending implementation of the new salary scales on 1st April next year and resolution of the method of conversion between the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance, it has been decided that the Police Junior Officers will be given an interim increase. From next month, that is, from the 1st of November, an interim allowance of 10 per cent of their present total emoluments, excluding housing and public utility allowances, will be paid to all serving Junior Officers on their present salaries. This means a 10 per cent increase in take-home pay, salary and special post and education allowances. This interim 10 per cent increase will be taken account of when converting these officers to the new salary scales on 1st April next year. Payment of this interim increase is expected to cost Government about $2 million a year on the basis of the present strength of the Police Force.

The approval in principle of the new salary scales will enable the Ministry of Home Affairs to attract even better qualified Police Junior Officers in future recruitment exercises, especially now that from the next intake of recruits payment for board and lodging will be waived during their period of training at the Police Academy. However, if any constable resigns within two years of his commencement of service, he will have to refund this cost. This is one of the recommendations of the Report which has been accepted.

Mr Speaker: Members may wish to ask questions on these two Ministerial statements.

Mr Teong Eng Siong (Sembawang): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask a few questions relating to the first Ministerial statement. Firstly, can the Minister for Law and National Development elaborate on the delineation of the electoral boundaries, and what are the basic principles and other considerations governing the subdivisions?

Secondly, after the readjustments to the electoral boundaries have been made what will be the land area, the size of the population and the number of the electorate in each division? Will they be evenly spread out on a pan-island basis? Will these readjustments serve the people better?

Thirdly, I notice that there has not been much change in the electoral boundaries in the rural areas. In future, will there be any subdivision of electoral divisions in the rural areas?

I hope the Minister will answer all these questions.

Mr Barker: I would suggest to the Member that he study the White Paper in which the reasons for the delineation of these electoral boundaries have been set out in detail. Reasons have also been given for increasing the electorate population of some areas and decreasing others, the whole object being to have a more equal distribution of the electorate.

As to what will happen in the rural areas in the future, I am afraid I do not know. The Member will have to wait for the next electoral commission.

Mr Speaker: Are there any questions? If there are none, we proceed with the introduction of Government Bills.