DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1972, TO 31ST MARCH, 1973

Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [1st Allotted Day].

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

2.32 p.m.

The Chairman: Development Estimates of Expenditure for Singapore for the financial year 1st April, 1972, to 31st March, 1973, contained in Paper Cmd. 4 of 1972. I shall take the total for each head of expenditure as it appears in the last column of the Summary of Estimated Expenditure on. pages 5 and 6 of the Paper.

I shall deal first with the heads of expenditure in respect of which amendments stand on the Order Paper Supplement.

Head 01 -

Mr J. F. Conceicao (Katong): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 01 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 001 of subhead 101.

Sir, during the debate on the Development Estimates last year, the Minister for Law and National Development said that he hoped the Member for Katong would support his project for the building of the new subordinate court complex. In view of the remarks I made regarding the slow progress d building that was going on, I would certainly support this project wholeheartedly, because a place where justice is administered should reflect the fresh, crisp, and clean atmosphere and appearance which characterises Singapore. I hope that it will not be necessary before long for those who are required to appear in court for one reason or another to experience the gloomy atmosphere of dilapidation that characterises the present subordinate courts.

It is, therefore, with some dismay that I note that of the $2 million voted for last year, a large sum has been re-voted this year, the actual amount spent being less than $200,000. Last year we were promised that piling work was scheduled to begin early in 1971. Now we are told that the same piling work will begin in early 1972. Perhaps the Minister could give us a progress report on this development, and assure us that steps will be taken to expedite the development of this project.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Sir, speaking as a lawyer, I would associate myself with the remarks of our learned Member. The delay has been caused again by resettlement problems as we experienced much difficulty in clearing the site. However, the Member will be pleased to know that the site has now been completely cleared, not only of its occupants but also of the existing buildings thereon. The tender for piling was accepted on the 6th of March this year. The piling contractor has taken possession of the site, and has commenced piling on the 22nd of March.

Mr Conceicao: Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the Minister's answer, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $3,500,010 for Head 01 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 31 -

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 31 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 101(The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Teong Eng Siong).

Sir, in moving this amendment, I merely wish to know from the Minister for Communications what progress has been made by this Unit last year. Sir, since there is an increase of $355,000 for this year, there must be some plans, and if so, what are they? Also the Memorandum on the Development Estimates indicates that the additional provision is for a feasibility study. I would like to know what this feasibility study is, and when will it be completed.

Mr Teong Eng Siong (Sembawang): I am not moving, Sir.

The Minister for Communications (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am in the fortunate position of being able to report some progress in respect of our Mass Transit Planning Unit. An application has been made to the United Nations Development Programme for assistance to undertake a study of this Mass Transit System. The objective of the study is, firstly, to compare the economic feasibility of alternative mass transit systems in the metropolitan areas, in relation to alternative pricing policies for urban transport. Secondly, to recommend a long-range transport investment programme, which includes mass transport facilities. And, thirdly, to define specific investment projects as well as the implementation programme.

This study will be guided by a steering committee of seven officials under the Ministry of Communications and will be carried out by consultants employed by the World Bank, which is the participating and executing agency. The study will take about 15 months. Five international consulting firms two from the United States, one each from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have been asked by the World Bank to submit proposals, and the study is expected to commence sometime in the middle of this year.

Local counterpart and accounting staff are being provided by Government and, in this connection, I am pleased to say that four local officers have been sent overseas for training under the U.N.D.P./World Bank fellowships. They are now under training in the United States, Japan, and Europe.

We have also found suitable accommodation to house the Mass Transit Planning Unit in a P.S.A. bungalow known as the "Golden Bell", and we have provided $855,000 for the coming year to meet Government contribution towards the project. This amount is to provide for the salaries of the local counterpart and other subordinate staff, rental of accommodation, P.U.B, services, etc.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Sir, in the light of the Minister's reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 31 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 202.

Sir, I would like the Minister concerned to indicate to this House when will the Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre be completed and be ready for operation.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: I am pleased to say, Sir, that the new Motor Vehicle Inspection Centre at Sin Ming Road is almost completed. Currently, cables for the supply of electricity are being laid by the Public Utilities Board, and the construction of a dual carriage-way leading to the Centre is in progress. All these are expected to be completed by the middle of next month and, if all goes well, this Centre will commence operation in May.

2.45 p.m.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Sir, can the Minister enlighten us as to the number of vehicles which can be inspected at this Centre? I believe the Inspection Centre at the Registry of Vehicles, Middle Road, is not able to cope with the great number of vehicles which are waiting to be inspected.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Sir, I can assure the Member that there will be 10 additional inspection pits, with an increased staff of 16, at the Sin Ming Road site. We should, therefore, be able to do much more than what we have been doing now at Middle Road, which has: a capacity of only six inspection pits. I must add that the Middle Road Inspection Centre will continue to be used for private vehicles. The new Sin Ming Road Inspection Centre will he used for the inspection of public service and goods vehicles, such as buses, taxis and lorries, and the present Inspection Centre at Middle Road will be confined to inspection of private vehicles.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: I thank the Minister for his reply. I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong (Mountbatten): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 31 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead. 203*(* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting).

Sir, I am glad to note that the headquarters of the Registry of Vehicles will soon be relocated at Sin Ming Road. In this connection, I have two simple and straightforward questions to put to the Minister for Communications. Is this vote of half a million dollars to provide for the total cost of the building? Has construction work on the building actually started, and, if so, when is it expected to be completed?

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have merely one small point to clarify with the Minister for Communications. I would like to know whether the R.O.V, headquarters at Sin Ming Road will eventually be the R.O.V, headquarters.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, in reply to the Member for Mount-batten, I would like to say that a piece of land of about three and a half acres has been allocated by the Housing and Development Board for the building of the new R.O.V, headquarters. This land is adjacent to the new Motor Vehicles Inspection Centre at the Sin Ming Road site, which has a total area of 2.4 acres, if we combine the two areas, we shall have a new R.O.V, headquarters occupying almost six acres of land. It is, therefore, our ultimate aim to remove completely the R.O.V, headquarters from Middle Road to the Sin Ming Road site. Of course, we have to begin first with the new Inspection Centre at Sin Ming Road, so as to cope with the increasing demand for the inspection of public service vehicles. Later, we will transfer the R.O.V, headquarters from Middle Road to the Sin Ming Road site. When this transfer is completed, we will also provide a new driving test centre at the new R.O.V, headquarters. This is to replace the present test centre located at Maxwell Road.

The whole cost of the project for this new R.O.V, headquarters is around $5 million. The Ministry of Finance has already supported this project to the tune of $4.5 million. There is no urgency to move the headquarters to its new site, which is still under acquisition. The provision shown in the Development Estimates for the coming year is to enable piling and earth-works to be carried out during the course of this year.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong: In view of the answer given by the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Yeo Choo Kok -

(4) That the sum to be allocated for Head 31 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 304.

The Chairman: Mr Yeo is not here.

The sum of $2,157,800 for Head 31 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

Head 32 -

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head 32, be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 302.

Sir, this provision of $999,000 relates to the re-development of the Passenger Terminal Building. I take it that this is another phase in the development of Paya Lebar Airport. I wish to ask the Minister two questions. First, when will development of this Passenger Terminal Building be completed? Second, what facilities will be provided in this Terminal Building? Will it provide better services to the passengers and tourists?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir,, in reply to the Member for Sembawang,. I would like to say that the redevelopment of the Passenger Terminal Building was completed in September last year, in time for the arrival of the Jumbo jets. What has yet to be done is the installation of equipment which costs about $1 million. Hence a revote has been made for the coming year. The equipment, which includes telecommunications equipment and the flight information display system, was ordered but has not yet arrived, and therefore no payment was made in the 1971-72 financial year. But I think the equipment will be delivered soon and put into operation sometime in the middle of this year; hence, the revoted provision, in addition, a portion of this provision is for the cost of completed works, which has been retained as retention fees, and late payment for other completed works, which has to be made in the next fiscal year.

I would say that the Passenger Terminal Building redevelopment has resulted in more than doubling the floor area of what it was previously, and it should therefore give better service than what it used to provide before its re-development.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply. I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 32 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 303.

The provision of $200,000 under this subhead is for the setting up of a new Air Freight Terminal. I have two simple questions to ask the Minister. First, has this new Air Freight Terminal been completed and, if not, when will it be completed? If it has been completed, then what is the purpose of this additional provision, which includes a revote of $50,000? What services will this terminal provide? All this money comes from the taxpayers, and we have to see that it is properly spent.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Sembawang is right this time. The new Air Freight Terminal has yet to be completed. This Terminal forms part of the intermediate phase `of the development proposals for our Airport costing $2.3 million, out of a total development cost of over $100 million. The foreign cost-component of this project, which is estimated at $1.7 million, will be financed by an Asian Development Bank loan of over $60 million. This Bank has projected that an annual total of 79,000 metric tons of air freight is likely to be handled at Paya Lebar Airport in three years' time, that is, in 1975. That is the year in which the new Air Freight Terminal is expected to be fully completed and operational. The tonnage of the air cargo handled last year was 25,000 metric tons.

The area where the Air Freight Terminal is to be sited has been acquired. It is in the process of being cleared of squatters. Extensive earthworks will have to be carried out on the site to prepare for drainage, and building construction work is expected to commence in April next year. Hence, the provision of $200,000 for the 1972-73 Estimates.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

3.00 p.m.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 32 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 306.

Sir, in moving this amendment, may I range over my next amendment* on subhead 307?

• The amendment reads as follows:

(4)That the sum to be allocated for Head 32 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 307.

The Chairman: Yes.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, subhead 306 refers to the New Sub terminal Building, and I have two questions to ask the Minister. Firstly, is the building in the process of construction and, if so, when will it be completed? Secondly, what facilities will be provided in this building, and whether the services will be better than what is offered at present?

Sir, subhead 307 refers to the New Boeing 747 Hangar and a sum of $1.5 million has been provided. I wish to ask the Minister three questions: (1) When will this Hangar be completed? (2) What is the total area of this Hangar, and how many Boeing 747s can it accommodate? (3) What are the charges per day for each aircraft garaged in this Hangar?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the New Sub-terminal Building at an approved cost of $31.3 million is also part of the intermediate phase of the development plan for our Paya Lebar Airport. We expect it to be completed by 1976 or earlier in order to cater for the very high growth of passenger traffic over the next few years. I have stated previously that passenger traffic for last year, 1971, passed the two million mark, and it is anticipated that by 1975, the passenger traffic through Paya Lebar Airport would exceed 3.6 million per year.

Land for the new sub-terminal building has been acquired, and it is in the process of being cleared for preparatory building works to commence. The first phase of the works is mainly that of earth filling which has to be carried out over a very wide area.

Sir, I believe the Member has also asked what is the anticipated revenue. For the present, I can say that the revenue will increase considerably because there will be more planes landing at Paya Lebar Airport. I do not think I need go into the details of the revenue except to say that a considerable amount of revenue is expected as time goes on.

As regards the New Boeing 747 Hangar, there is a provision of SI ,500,000. The project cost is $12 million for this hangar and it forms part of the intermediate phase of the development plan. For the information of Members, the size of the hangar is 300 feet x 300 feet x 80 feet. This provision of $1 million is to meet the cost of earthworks, drainage, and the laying of pavements, which will be carried out in the next fiscal year. We hope to get this hangar operational in two years' time.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, I thank the Minister for giving me a detailed answer, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 32 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 901.

Sir, since the provision for land acquisition is to the tune of $7.5 million, I merely wish to ask the Minister if he could inform the House as to how this provision will be utilised? Is it to be spent solely on land acquisition? And, if so, how much land will be acquired?

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the area of land which will be required for the intermediate stage of the development of the Airport is 523 acres. Of this, 323 acres are adjacent to the existing Airport land in the Tam-pines Wood area, and about 200 acres lie on the eastern side of the airfield. The sum of $7 million is mainly for land acquisition.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

In the absence of Mr Sim Boon Woo, the following amendment standing in his name was not proceeded with -

That the sum to be allocated for Head 32 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 908.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 32 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 911.

Sir, can the Minister inform the House as to what is this Airport Information Dissemination System? I understand that it is not a closed circuit T.V.; but that it works on an electronic principle, which is an improvement over the old fashioned closed circuit television.

Mr Yong Nyuk Lin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Punggol is right in stating that the Airport Information Dissemination System, in short, AIDS, is an electronic data display system for our air traffic controllers and is an improvement over what was previously known as the closed circuit television system. AIDS will display air traffic flight data and other associated information to the air traffic controllers, and thus enabling them to exercise their air traffic control functions efficiently. The current practice is done through an intercommunication system, which is hardly an efficient system. It is slow because of the need to transmit data to multiple addresses and also because of the writing work load involved at each receiving unit. The existing system with its heavy manual work load will not be able to cope with the increasing air traffic passing through Paya Lebar Airport. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide an electronic information dissemination system which will not only speed up the work of air traffic controllers but will also relieve them of their manual work, thereby enabling them to concentrate on other essential functions.

The project is estimated to cost $250,000 in all, but $50,000 have been provided for the fiscal year, 1972-73, for initial preparatory work. The scheme is planned for commissioning in two years' time, 1974. I would like to add further that AIDS will form an integral part of the future air traffic control system at the Paya Lebar Airport when other facilities, such as long-range surveillance radar, are implemented around 1975. In the coming years of supersonic air travel, it is imperative that the air traffic controllers be provided with suitable and adequate tools to enable them to perform their functions efficiently to match the speed of supersonic aircraft. The electronic AIDS is such a tool.

3.15 p.m.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: I am grateful to the Minister for his reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $24,708,500 for Head 32 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 41 -

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 103.

Sir, I note that only $1,300 was spent last year out of an allocation of a quarter million dollars. Could the Minister for Education enlighten this House as to why this is so? According to the Memorandum on the Development Estimates, a sum of:

`$750,000 is provided for the proposed setting up of the Singapore Educational Media Services ,(SEMS). This project includes the provision of a second Television Studio and additional photographic and film facilities.'

Can the Minister also tell us what will be the service, scope and functions of the SEMS?

The Minister of State for Education (Dr Lee Chiaw Meng): Mr Speaker, Sir, the sum originally allocated last year was meant for the purchase of studio equipment and other photographic needs. Members may be aware, at the beginning of last year an agreement was reached between UNESCO and Singapore to expand the Educational Television service into a full-fledged educational mass media. A feasibility team was formed, and their report has just been completed. For this reason, only $1,300 has been spent during the last financial year.

The Member also enquired into the functions of the new Educational Media Services. This primarily involves the enlargement of the range of the educational media, which may require such services as E.T.V.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Sir, that is precisely the purpose of my question. I have first asked for the scope and function of the SEMS. But since the Minister of State for Education has used the word "range", I will rephrase my question: can the Minister of State tell me what is the range of SEMS? I believe he has not satisfactorily answered my question.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, SEMS involves the production of more programmes not just for the E.T.V, series but also for educational films and other instructional materials, teaching aids, etc.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Sir, under Head 51, Ministry of Culture, there is a related item, Adult Education Television Service, which I shall come to later. Therefore, I want to know whether this SEMS project will duplicate the type of service that will be provided for by the Adult Education Television Service.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, SEMS will complement the Adult Education Television Service, not duplicate it. In fact, there is a proposal to house the two Services in the same building.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: In that case, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok (Delta): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 001 of subhead 203.

Sir, there is an acute shortage of students' hostels in Nanyang University. At the moment 101 Honours students, 120 Pre-university students and 27 Russian and American students of Nanyang University are all housed in Jurong Town Corporation flats. Because of a shortage of hostels for girls, three students' hostels and another half meant for boys have been converted into hostels for girls. So those local students who ask for allocation of accommodation in the University hostels are not allowed because they must give way to foreign students.

And now there is a request for a revote. With the development of Nanyang University, there will be more students requiring hostel facilities in Nanyang University. Two-thirds of the land belonging to Nanyang University are not being used. Since Nanyang University had asked for a vote for students hostels and the vote was approved last year, how is it that this vote is carried forward to this year? If we have to wait for the approval of the 10-year development plan, then with the present administration of Nanyang University, the building of students' hostels will not be in sight for a very long time. It is the policy of the Government to assist Nanyang University in building hostels. I do not know whether the 10-year development plan has been accepted or not; anyway the details have not been announced. The development plan and the hostels are two separate matters; they are not closely related. I hope the Ministry of Education will ask for the necessary vote to help Nanyang University to build all the necessary hostels to alleviate the hardship and to solve the problems of the students in terms of accommodation.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, as there are a few amendments on the Order Paper Supplement regarding the development of Nanyang University, I would like to take this opportunity, in answering the first question from the Member for Delta, to make clear the philosophy of the physical development of a university. Universities are not built and developed just for today, for tomorrow, or for the year. They are built to stay for hundreds of years. Therefore, any physical development programme must be considered in the greatest detail. We cannot build a cluster of concrete buildings just because there happened to be some empty space, or because it is the most suitable development to meet the needs for the present. I believe it is in this context that the Member for Jurong last year asked whether a Master Plan was being prepared for the Nanyang University. I believe Members know that a 10-year development programme has been prepared and is under active consideration by the Ministry of Education. The building of students hostels and other forms of development are part and parcel of the total physical development of the Nanyang University, and therefore the matter has to be looked, into very closely.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok (In Mandarin.): Sir, it goes without saying that we must build in preparation for their use for the next 100 years or more. But at the moment the students have no place to put up. Before you can finish your 10-year development programme, the lot of them will not be able to live anywhere within the University campus. They have to put up in flats in Jurong Town together with the workers. Perhaps because of the present lack of hostels, many students are not able to join the Nanyang University. So you must have both the long-term plan and also the short-term plan. I hope the Minister will answer this question.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, in order to get over the short-term problems, I think the Member knows that we have certain accommodation facilities in Jurong Town made available to Nanyang University students. To solve this problem further, perhaps we can look into the possibility of renting out premises or quarters returned to us by the British Forces on their withdrawal.

There is one point I would like to make about this question of travelling. I think our students are being a bit spoilt! I do not see what is so difficult to travel six miles to go to the university to study. I used to travel 12 miles to study.

Some hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Yeo Choo Kok (in Mandarin): Sir, notwithstanding the fact that the Minister of State had travelled several miles to attend lectures, in my days overseas I had also travelled about one hundred miles to attend lectures. But Singapore is Singapore. We cannot compare our situation with conditions overseas. At the present moment, there are 92 units of J.T.C, flats made available for Nanyang University students, but only half of them are occupied. Perhaps our Nanyang University undergraduates are not prepared to live in the J.T.C, housing estates, because they would have no choice but to travel a long distance to attend lectures.

I hope the Minister will ask for more money from the Ministry of Finance to build more hostels. I understand that at the present moment two buildings have been put up by the Hokien Huay Kuan, but these are not related to the development plan of the University. However, since the Minister of State is not prepared to give a more satisfactory answer, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The following amendment stood in the names of Messrs Ch'ng Jit Koon and Yeo Choo Kok-

(3) That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 003 of subhead 203.

The Chairman: Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon.

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon (Tiong Bahru): I am not moving, Sir.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 003 of subhead 203.

Sir, the building of the sports complex in the Nanyang University should not be delayed any more. Originally a vote of $700,000 was asked for a sports complex. After revision and reassessment, another request was made for $1.2 million, but this was turned down. In order to provide the urgent needs of students for sports facilities, the Nanyang University have condescended to cut down their original request for an Olympic-sized swimming pool for the sports complex. Because of that, the sum was reduced from $1.2 million to $900,000, but the request for this sum of money, which was made to the Ministry of Education, has so far not been approved.

Sir, the Nanyang University urgently requires a sports complex. This time last year when we were debating the same item under the Development Estimates, the Minister of State agreed with me that of these three items in the Development Estimates - students' hostels, staff quarters and sports complex - the most urgent were students' hostels and the sports complex. Sir, at the present moment whenever it rains in the University, all sports or physical activities have to be stopped, because these activities are carried out in the open air and it is impossible to carry on in the rain. The building of a sports complex will not only solve the present needs of the students but will also provide facilities for the training of coaches and instructors for the various schools in Singapore. There is no reason for the Minister for Education not to press the Ministry of Finance further for the vote to complete the building of the sports complex as early as possible.

3.30 p.m.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am afraid we are more ambitious than the Member for Delta. It is precisely because we do not want a half-sized swimming pool but a full-sized swimming pool of Olympic standard that negotiations are still going on. Since the Budget sitting last year, a team of experts has been engaged to draw up the Master Plan for the development of Nanyang University.

Regarding the complaint by the Member for Delta against sports activities being held in the rain, I can say that this only enhances the argument of the wisdom of making students do national service before they join the university.

Mr Yeo Choo Kok: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the nature of the Minister of State's answer, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Ho Kah Leong (Jurong): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 203.

Sir, in moving this amendment, I am seeking elucidation from the Minister of State for Education on the matter of students' hostels and staff quarters. Sir, this question was raised in last year's debate on the Development Estimates in this House. At that time, there was a vote of $500,000 for the construction of staff quarters. But according to this year's Development Estimates, the same amount of $500,000 is being re-voted for the same purpose. We can see from this that there has been a prolonged delay in the construction of staff quarters.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand that the provision of quarters to the staff of Nanyang University is considered an urgent matter. There are about 30 members of the staff in Nanyang University waiting for staff quarters. Furthermore, Sir, because Nanyang University is situated in an outlying area, lack of quarters will cause considerable inconvenience to the staff, and it will also aggravate the difficulty of recruiting more staff for Nanyang University, since new staff will have to travel all the way up there to work. As a result of this, I would like to ask the Minister concerned the reasons for the delay.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think I can elaborate any more than what I have said when I answered the question put by the Member for Delta. It is considered as part and parcel of the Master Plan, and this is being considered by the Ministry.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, since he has said that staff quarters is part and parcel of the whole development plan, we must wait for the Master Plan to be approved before we can do anything. In that case I would like to know when the Master Plan will be approved and when will such approval be announced. Sir, in last year's debate, in answer to my question, the Minister of State said that as soon as the Ministry of Education received the 10-year development plan for Nanyang University it would be announced. This can be found in Volume 30 of Hansard, Col. 1293. I would like to ask the Minister of State to implement what he said last year.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Education has already received the 10-year development plan. I believe the Council of Nanyang University has issued a statement and the local press has fully publicised this. As to when we can implement the Master Plan, we have only gone to the stage of conceptual planning and have not drawn out the physical development plan as yet.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister of State tell the House how much time will be taken to finalise the work of consideration?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: (In Mandarin): What kind of work?

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): How much time will the Ministry take to consider the Master Plan?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have said we have only received the conceptual plan. We have not done the physical planning of the Master Plan yet.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): In view of this, I beg leave to withdraw, Sir.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 301*(* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Cheong Yuen Chee).

I am glad to note, Sir, that the Government plans to build three primary schools, one of which will be in Tiong Bahru. I would like to ask the Minister concerned where will the new school be built, and when will construction commence? I hope the Minister will not consider my request as excessive.

Sir, according to the 1970 census, there were in Tiong Bahru about 7,652 children in the age group of five to nine. These children should by now already be in primary schools. But this figure does not include those children who have moved into the Housing and Development Board flats in my constituency in the last two years. At the present moment, there are 33 classrooms in the three primary schools in my constituency, and they can accommodate a maximum number of 2,640 students if there are double sessions running with an accommodation of 40 students per class. I hope the Minister concerned will sympathetically consider the urgent request of my constituents to build a school early.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, in implementing our school building programme as contained in the Development Plan, we do not take into consideration the needs of each constituency but the area as a whole.

With respect to the proposed primary school at the junction of Jalan Membina and Jalan Bukit Merah, we hope to commence construction work within this financial year.

Mr Cheong Yuen Chee (Toa Payoh): Mr Speaker, Sir, the shortage of primary schools in Toa Payoh is an annual problem. Every year, parents clamour to enrol their children in schools near their homes. Some of them even had to camp overnight at these schools to ensure that their children are registered. There are only three primary schools in Toa Payoh proper and 11 other schools in Toa Payoh constituency. But they are all sited outside the Toa Payoh housing estate. I understand there are several sites reserved by the Housing and Development Board for the construction of primary schools in Toa Payoh. I would like to ask the Minister of State how many of these sites have been reserved by the Ministry of Education and how many have been taken up by private organisations for the construction of primary schools in Toa Payoh?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not able to give the exact details of how many private organisations have taken up the offer, but I can say that plans are being finalised to resite in Toa Payoh housing estate two aided primary schools and three aided full-schools, that is, a primary and a secondary school housed in one building. There are also plans to build three other primary schools as replacements in that area in the future.

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon: (In Mandarin): In view of the Minister of State's reply, I beg leave to withdraw, Sir.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 001 of subhead 401*(* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Cheong Yuen Chee).

Sir, I note that although a sum of $1 million has been allocated for the construction of new secondary schools, none is to be provided for Tiong Bahru constituency. I am jealous about this. In his answer to my question just now, the Minister of State for Education said that his Ministry was still considering the 10-year development plan in which the building of new secondary schools would depend on the needs of the various constituencies.

Sir, I would like the Minister of State to take note of the statistics I am going to quote, which I hope will help him in his consideration of the 10-year development plan. According to the census taken in 1970, Bukit Ho Swee had about 7,363 children between the ages of 10 and 14; Delta 6,385; Bukit Merah 9,039; Queenstown, 5,993; and Tiong Bahru 8,094. In all these constituencies, Sir, Bukit Ho Swee has two secondary schools with 60 classrooms; Delta, two secondary schools with 46 classrooms; Bukit Merah, one secondary school with 25 classrooms; Queenstown, three secondary schools with 100 classrooms. In Tiong Bahru, there is none. Sir, by giving all these statistics, I am not complaining that there are more secondary schools in other constituencies. But the Minister of State concerned has answered me earlier that schools are built according to the needs of the area as a whole. That being so, according to the 1970 census, there are altogether 36,874 children in the correct age group for admission to secondary schools in the five constituencies. And there is a total number of eight secondary schools, housing 231 classrooms with accommodation for 18,480 students. It would appear, therefore, that there is an acute shortage of secondary schools for these five constituencies, it means that there is only one place for every two students in these five areas.

I hope the Minister concerned will look into this.

Mr Cheong Yuen Chee: I am not moving, Sir.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, I value the Member for Tiong Bahru's appreciation of the difficulties we are facing. In fact, in view of the predicted shortage of places at Secondary I level, the Ministry of Education has, at the beginning of this year, expanded the facilities of all the secondary schools in the Queens-town area, which includes Tiong Bahru. As a result, only a few hundred students were posted out as against a figure of over a thousand last year. However, we have earmarked two new secondary schools to be built within the Queens-town area in our Development Plan. Of course, the Member will also appreciate that we are at the moment faced with the fact that the bulge of the population is in this age group, and it will only level off around 1976.

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon: I beg leave to withdraw, Sir.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon-

(7) That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 002 of subhead 401.

The Chairman: Mr Ch'ng, amendment (7).

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon: I am not moving, Sir.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 401.

Sir, in moving this amendment, I am raising the question of building a secondary school in Jurong. On two previous occasions, I have asked the Minister concerned to consider building a secondary school in Jurong Town. I am glad to note that, in the Memorandum on the Development Estimates for the next financial year, the Ministry has finally agreed to allocate the sum of $1 million for this purpose. This is good news for the people living in Jurong Town. Therefore, I only have to ask the Minister as to when will building work commence.

3.45 p.m.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, details of the plan for the school building are now being finalised for tendering. If everything proceeds according to schedule, the school should be ready to admit its first batch of students by January 1974.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): I thank the Minister of State for Education for his answer. I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 402.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in moving this amendment, may I ask the Minister of State for Education whether any provision is being allocated for the extension of the existing secondary school in Jurong. I have appealed to the Minister on several occasions to extend Jurong Secondary School. The Jurong Secondary School is one of the smallest secondary schools in Singapore and it lacks many facilities. In view of the increased population in my constituency of Jurong, there is an urgent need to extend the Jurong Secondary School. I believe the Minister has received a very detailed memorandum from the principal of this school requesting funds for the urgent extension of the school. I do not like to repeat the reasons for this extension, but to ask the Minister whether any provision has been made for the extension of Jurong Secondary School.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, if my memory serves me right, the present Jurong Secondary School has only eight classrooms. It will, therefore, be extremely uneconomical to spend large sums of money to extend it into a standard type secondary school, especially when we are going to build a 24-classroom secondary school in Jurong.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Jurong Secondary School is for children living in Jurong Town. According to the Development Plan, Jurong Town will soon have a population of 100,000. The Jurong Secondary School also caters for children living in Chua Chu Kang and The surrounding areas. According to investigations, there are altogether 47 Primary VI classes in this area with a student population of 9,000. In addition to the Jurong Secondary School, there is the Jalan Lama Secondary School. However, these two secondary schools are not big enough to accommodate all the students who would be leaving primary school. There is, therefore, an urgent need to extend the Jurong Secondary School. Even if the number of classes is not extended, there should at least be more facilities so that the students will feel that their own school is comparable with other schools. The students of Jurong Secondary School will, therefore, not be ashamed of their own school because of the lack of laboratory facilities. I would appeal to the Minister of State to consider this question seriously.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I fully agree with the Member for Jurong that there should be sufficient places for students in any given locality. However, in the case of the Jurong Secondary School, I think any extension to the school will take just as long a time to complete, and it will probably cost more than building a new school. The whole point of the question is whether it would be better to build a new secondary school or to spend as much money on extensions to this particular school.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not satisfied with the answer given by the Minister of State. Jurong Secondary School has a great prestige built up over the years, lit has twice won first prize in the horticulture competition organised for schools in the whole of Singapore. The students have also done very well in the field of sports. Academically too the students have shown a very good performance. Therefore, my request is worth serious consideration by the Minister of State. Even though he does not wish to build more classrooms, he should build more laboratories. There is only one laboratory now, and that is used for biology, chemistry and other experiments. What about a domestic science laboratory? I think it is a question worthy of his consideration.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not deny that the Jurong Secondary School has done very good work over the last few years. But the proposed plans for the extension to the school, referred to by the Member for Jurong just now, are, I am afraid, too elaborate. The proposed extension will cost almost as much as building a new school, and therefore we cannot consider any proposal of that magnitude.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister of State then consider this? If it is agreed not to extend the number of classes, will he consider the provision of additional laboratories for domestic science and other necessary facilities?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, there are about 12 Government schools in the Queenstown area. We are at the moment engaged in a very interesting experiment of building a "special facilities" room. Perhaps the needs of the Jurong Secondary School can be considered in a similar light.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 503*.

(* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Teong Eng Siong)

Sir, I would like to ask the Minister of State whether he is prepared to make some provision to rebuild Loke Yang Public School. May I say something about this school? This school was originally situated at the 16th m.s. Jurong Road. It was later demolished as a result of a resettlement scheme. The authorities concerned had reserved two acres of land at the 9 m.s. Lim Chu Kang for the re-building of this public school. I understand that all the villagers have been moved out from the Jurong area. They are mainly poor farmers. It is, therefore, unfair for them to bear the cost of rebuilding this school. I hope the Ministry of Education will provide some funds, at least on a dollar-for-dollar basis, to help these people to rebuild Loke Yang School.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to raise two questions under this subhead. The vote under this subhead is in respect of Capital Grants to Government-Aided Schools. This is a form of financial assistance to the aided schools for various expenditures. I understand that it is quite difficult to get approval for such grants. For instance, certain schools have applied for assistance to repair school equipment and furniture, such as chairs, but their applications have usually been turned down because of the tedious procedure involved. I hope the Minister of State will look into this matter to see whether there is any truth in such allegations.

The provision of $1 million for the next financial year is quite a large sum of money. I wish to know whether any applications have already been made in this regard.

Mr P. Govindaswamy (Anson): Mr Speaker, Sir, I just wish to raise one question about aided schools. I cannot understand why the Umar Pulavar Tamil School at Maxwell Road has no field or a playground. I wonder whether the Minister can provide a playing field for that secondary school.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to the question raised by the Member for Sembawang, I believe he is aware of the policy on capital grants. This policy has been enunciated by my Minister in answer to a question raised during the debate on the Main Estimates. There is no point for me to dwell on it again. As regards the particular point he has raised, if my memory serves me right, the Ministry has not yet received any proposals, and therefore I am not in a position to answer him one way or another.

With regard to the question raised by the Member for Jurong, I am sure he realises that there are sufficient places for primary school entrants in Singapore, except perhaps in those schools which are located out of the way. There are primary schools in certain areas which are not, in fact, fully occupied. Therefore, we cannot consider any request too generously. However, if he has any case which he thinks deserves special consideration, will he please let us know. I think the Member for Sembawang has also asked for the names of schools which have applied for capital grants. I am afraid I do not have the details with me now. If he so wishes, he can give notice of a Question for Oral Answer, and I shall then give him the full details.

In answer to the Member for Anson, I am not very familiar with the Tamil school in the Anson constituency. There are playing fields in the other schools in that constituency, and I am sure the students from that Tamil school can use them. Alternatively, they can make use of the community centres in that constituency.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, when the site at Lim Chu Kang area was being selected for a school, a representative of the Ministry of Education was present. Therefore, the Minister of State for Education cannot deny that his Ministry is not responsible for re-siting the Loke Yang School. However, I would like to ask the Minister of State whether he will give sympathetic consideration to an application by this school for funds to rebuild it.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware that Loke Yang School has to be resettled. However, as I have said, I have not as yet received any proposals for grants.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, my question is this. If he were to receive an application from Loke Yang School for financial assistance, will he give it favourable consideration?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, we will consider the application in accordance with the policy enunciated by my Minister.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the reply by the Minister of State, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

4.00 p.m.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 41 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 603.

Sir, the provision for the Hotel and Catering Training Centre is $258,600. I would like to raise five questions: (1) What are the actual conditions of training at this Centre? (2) What are the courses offered by this Centre, and is there a course for the training of cooks? At present with so many hotels and restaurants being set up, there is an acute shortage of cooks. Many of the cooks working in our restaurants at present have come from abroad, and we have to spend a lot of foreign exchange on them. If we can train our local people to be cooks, we can reduce the foreign exchange spent on importing foreign cooks. (3) What are the qualifications required for admission to this Centre? (4) What are the fees charged by the Centre for each student? (5) What is the duration of each training course? Will it take six months or one year to complete a course?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Sembawang has asked various questions about the Training Centre. I think the best answer I can give is to ask him to pay a visit to the Hotel and Catering Training Centre so that he can see for himself how the Centre is being run. Among the courses run by the Centre, there is a course for the training of cooks.

As regards the qualifications required for the admission of students, this is largely dependent on the type of training course that the student is applying for. There are various kinds of courses available, each requiring a different standard of qualification. As regards school fees, the amount is dependent on the duration of the course and the different levels of training to be provided. For instance, for the training of cooks, the duration of the course is long and the fees will have to cost more.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, how many cooks can we train in a year?

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: (In Mandarin): Sir, I do not have the actual figures, but I believe that it is about 100.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, in view of the satisfactory answer given by the Minister of State for Education, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $20,207,770 for Head 41 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

Head 51 -

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 51 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 101*.

(* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Sim Boon Woo)

Sir, a sum of $190,000 has been provided for the T.V. Outside Broadcasting Equipment. Under this subhead, I would like to raise two queries to the Minister: (1) Can the Minister give this House a detailed information regarding this Equipment? (2) Is there any plan for the setting up of colour T. V, in Singapore? Many countries, including some South-east Asian countries, have introduced colour T.V. As an advanced country in this region, we should now give early consideration to the provision of colour T.V, so that our people can enjoy their programmes better.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, has the Minister any plans to start a third T.V, channel, especially for Tamil and Malay programmes?

The Minister for Culture (Mr Jek Yeun Thong): Mr Speaker, Sir, we have two outside broadcast vans, and they are used to cover events occurring in the various parts of Singapore, such as National Day parades, sports activities and, occasionally, variety shows at the National Theatre. The vans were purchased in 1962 at a cost of $794,000. They are useful for covering events live. But because of the lack of crew, we have not been able to use the vans as much as we want to.

The second query is about colour T.V. This is a very complicated matter. Of course, colour T.V, is the logical follow-up of the black and white T.V. that we now have. The problem is: do we have enough technicians to run a station for telecasting colour programmes? As it is now, we are actually short of technicians. Therefore, it is not possible at this stage to say with any certainty when we can introduce colour T.V., but we are certainly travelling on that course. The problem is much more complicated than it seems. For instance, there are at present three different systems used by countries all over the world for colour TV. Firstly, there is the N.T.S.C. -National Television System Committee - which is used by the United States, Canada, Mexico, Philippines, Japan and Taiwan. The second system is S.E.C.A.M. - do not ask me what it is, because I am as ignorant as some Members are. All I know is that it is called S.E.C.A.M, and it is used by France, the U.S.S.R, and certain Eastern European countries. The third system is P.A.L. It is used by most Western European countries, including the United Kingdom, and it is going to be used by Australia and New Zealand. The important consideration here is to choose a system that is used by the majority of the countries in the world. If we were to choose the wrong system, then we may come up with many difficulties in the future, such as programme exchanges, spare parts, and others. For the moment, it appears that the P.A.L, system is gaining the upper hand. So much about the systems that we have to choose from.

The other point is that if we want to run our colour T.V, as successfully as we want it to be, then it is only logical that as many viewers as possible do enjoy our colour T.V, programmes. At the present moment, I am afraid this is not possible because of the high cost of a colour T.V. set. I understand that an ordinary colour T.V, set costs between $1,000 and $2,000 each. Even though we are getting this 13th salary payment, I do not think colour T.V, is within the reach of many people in Singapore. I hope that the day will come when these colour T.V, sets can be produced in such large numbers that their price can be brought down to a level where many people can enjoy this service. It is no use spending millions of dollars to provide a service which can only satisfy the luxurious needs of a small section of our people.

The other aspect of the problem is that it takes a long time to put this service into operation. Take, for example, Australia. Since 1967 it has committed itself to colour T.V, but up to now it has still not telecast any colour T.V, programmes yet. From this example, we can see that we have barely the knowledge of how to initiate such a scheme. All I can say is that at the present moment we are travelling on that course. We have sent two engineers to Germany for training, and another two will be sent in the near future to, possibly, the British Broadcasting Corporation in England. When they return, we hope to be able to build up a nucleus of engineers to start this service. But I am not able to say when it will be because of the many problems which I have outlined just now.

As regards a third T.V, channel, I do not think it is possible to provide because we do not have enough channels on our T.V, sets. If we want to have a third channel for Singapore - the other two are occupied by the Malaysian network - we have to introduce a different system, which again is a very costly matter. Therefore, I do not think it is possible to introduce a third channel at the present moment.

4.15 p.m.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, I thank the Minister for his very detailed explanation of the problems. I am glad to hear that his Ministry has sent two engineers abroad for this sort of training, and that he is paying close attention to the development of colour T.V. In view of this, I believe that very soon our people will be able to enjoy colour television. Although the Minister cannot say for certain when we can have colour television, what he has said augurs well for our people to know that very soon they will be able to enjoy colour television. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Conceicao: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 51 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 103*.

(* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting)

Sir, I would like to ask the Minister for Culture for further details about the capital development aspect of this subject. The Memorandum on the Development Estimates says that an amount of $500,000 is provided for work to commence on the Adult Education Production and Training Centre. Sir, could we be informed what will be the total capital development cost for this project? In respect of contributions to this project, what will be our share of responsibility, as against the responsibility of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung? Perhaps the Minister could also touch on the benefits that will accrue to Singapore with the physical location of the Centre here.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Sir, last year there was a token provision of $10, but for this year a sum of half a million dollars is being allocated for this project, that is, the Adult Education Television Service. Just now, the Minister of State for Education mentioned that the S.E.M.S, project would complement that o the Adult Education Television Service. In this respect, I would like to know from the Minister for Culture what programmes and courses will be organised by this Adult Education Television Service, in view of the fact that the setting up of the A.E.T.S, is the result of a joint venture between the Singapore Government and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. The information I am seeking on this topic is quite similar to that asked by the Member for Katong. With the programming of this service, I wish to know what is the medium of instruction and which level of the adult population are we trying to programme this service for.

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Sir, this Adult Education Television Service is not so much a joint venture. It is actually a joint effort between the Singapore Government and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung to provide training in adult education television programmes for countries in this part of the world. The Centre is known as the Centre for Production and Training of Adult Education Television (CEPTA T.V.). CEPTA T.V, will be sited at the R.T.S, complex; iii fact, it is just a stone's throw from the present T.V, complex. The cost of the building is estimated at $1 million to be totally borne by the Singapore Government and the cost of the equipment, which is estimated at $6.5 million, will be borne by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung of the Federal Republic of Germany. It is not possible to say now what kind of courses will be conducted or what language medium will be used for the training of these programme producers. What I can say now is that it is not so much a centre for the production of adult education programmes but a place to train producers so that they can return to their respective countries and produce their own adult education programmes. I think Singapore, as well as many other countries in this part of the world, is in great need of such training facilities, and it is to our great benefit to have the Centre here in Singapore. That is as much as I can disclose for the time being.

Mr Conceicao: I thank the Minister for his reply, and beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

In the absence of Mr Sim Boon Woo,, the following amendment, standing in his, name, was not proceeded with -

That the sum to be allocated for Head 51 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 104.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 51 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 001 of subhead 201.

Sir, I notice that out of a provision of $1 million in the last financial year for Works and Buildings, only $14,000 has been spent and the balance of $986,000 is being revoted this year, together with an increase in the allocation, making a total provision of $2 million for the next financial year. I would like to seek clarification from the Minister for Culture as to what progress has been made with regard to the new Radio Studios and Office Buildings. With this additional provision I believe there must be some real need for it, and I therefore hope that the studios will be ready soon.

In this respect I would also like the Minister to inform this House whether the construction of the building has been completed, and when will it become operational? Moreover, with the setting up of the new studios, will there be a new radio station over the air?

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Sir, the new radio station complex costing about $2 million will be going up very soon. The project will be open to tender at the end of this month. I was advised that the building works will take at least 18 months to complete. Therefore, the installation of the equipment and other facilities will take another six months. Iii all, that will take us to the middle of 1974. But the operation of this new complex will solve a lot of problems, one of which is congestion in office and studio space.

As to the query about whether a new radio station will be launched when the radio complex is ready, the answer is no. We already have quite a few stations in service now. In fact, we have altogether eight different wave lengths, four in the AM, and four in the F.M, service, and with one F.M, stereo station thrown in. Since we already have a lot of broadcasting outlets, the problem is not to increase the number of stations, but to improve the quality of the programmes. That is what we are trying to do.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: I thank the Minister for his reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Teong Eng Siong -

That the sum to be allocated for Head 51 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 201.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: I am not moving, Sir.

In the absence of Mr Cheong Yuen Chee, the following amendment, standing in his name, was not proceeded with -

That the sum to be allocated for Head 51 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 403.

Mr Conceicao: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 51 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 404.

Sir, I merely wish to ask the Minister where will this Katong Library he sited. The Memorandum on the Development Estimates says "it is proposed to build another branch library in the Katong/Joo Chiat/Siglap Area." Presumably the designation of these districts refers to constituencies. I would like to know what is the estimated population that will benefit from this provision, and what sort of investigation or data has led to the siting of this library. I reserve further comments for the Minister's reply.

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Sir, if the Member for Katong thinks that the library will be sited in his constituency, I am afraid he will be disappointed. It will not be sited in his constituency, but in a district which we have always called vaguely "Katong District". Therefore, the name "Katong" is quite relevant to the site for the library which we are going to provide.

The site will be in the Katong Estate, Phase II Development, on reclaimed land between Joo Chiat Road and Still Road. The library will serve a densely populated area. It will be about two miles away from the Tanjong Rhu Housing Estate, which the Member for Katong has so fondly referred to. Therefore, his constituents will have easy access to this new library. I was told that a new housing estate will he built in this area, and, therefore, a library there will serve much more people than if it were sited merely in the Katong constituency. I think we should look at it this way: a library should serve not just one constituency. If we are to provide each constituency with a library, we will run out of funds in no time. The problem is how to distribute the services of a library so that several constituencies can share one library. In this respect I think the proposed site should serve the purpose.

4.30 p.m.

Mr Conceicao: Mr Speaker, Sir, with respect to the Minister's view that we should not site a library in each constituency, I would like to point out that, apart from the establishment of this new library in the new development area, there is also, already, a library in the Too Chiat constituency serving the people in that area. Too Chiat constituency is in very close proximity to this new library. If this is so, I would suggest that perhaps we could have a small library in the Katong constituency too, or at least extend some kind of service from this new district centre to the Katong constituency.

Sir, the point 1 would like to raise is that the development of this new housing estate would be finer than that which is characteristic of the Tanjong Rhu Housing Estate, The majority of people in the Tanjong Rhu Housing Estate are living in one-room and two-room flats, and it will therefore be more convenient if some provision not necessarily such a library - were made for them. This would be better than to site a library close to an area where the characteristic of the housing is large bungalows and houses that belong to the more affluent people. In view of what I have said, perhaps the Minister will consider extending at least some sort of service to the people in the Tanjong Rhu Housing Estate. If the Minister does not wish to answer, but wishes to consider -

Mr Jek Yeun Thong rose -

Mr Conceicao: I see that he wishes to answer.

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Mr Speaker, Sir, when it comes to considering where to site a library, I think we should not be parochial in our approach. In fact, Katong constituency is now served by two libraries, one in Too Chiat and one in Siglap. Though they are both quite small libraries they serve the purpose for the time being. By siting this new library in the reclaimed land, we hope to serve a much bigger population than just Katong constituency because, unlike what the Member for Katong has described just now that the place will be full of large bungalows and so on, it is not quite true, and I understand that the Housing and Development Board has plans to build fairly big flats in the housing estate there.

Mr Conceicao: Four and five-room flats!

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Yes. So I think the population there will be quite large in, say, 1974, when this project will be put into operation. Further, by siting this library away from the Katong constituency, we have the advantage of not only serving Katong but also the rural areas like Changi, Siglap, Tam-pines and many others. This will, in fact, benefit much more people, including the poorer people living in the rural areas, than just those living in Tanjong Rhu flats.

Mr Conceicao: Mr Speaker, Sir, all I am saying is that, since both Siglap and Joo Chiat have each a library, can the provisions of this new central library be extended by way of a better mobile service to the Tanjong Rhu area, which is in my constituency? Never mind if Katong cannot get the same provision a the other constituencies, but at least he can afford the provision of a mobile library service. Otherwise, it is very unfair; but as the Member for Anson would say, "What to do!"

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: It is not just a matter of what to do. We can do something. For instance, after we have set up this new branch library, and if we find that the present Too Chiat Library is too close to it, we may even consider taking it away, and, if the Member for Katong can put up concrete proposals, set it up in his community centre. I think that may solve his problem. But for the time being we have to make-do with the two libraries in Joo Chiat and Siglap.

Mr Conceicao: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sure the Minister will give consideration to the proposal that we will put forward later on. I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $5,492,000 for Head 51 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. Head 52 -

The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon -

(1) That the sum to be allocated for Head 52 be reduced by $10 in respect of item 001 of subhead 101.

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon: I am not moving, Sir.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 52 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 201.

Sir, this vote of $150,000 is for rural community centres. I would like to take this opportunity to praise the People's Association for promoting the various activities in community centres. I would also like to thank the management committees of the community centres for devoting their time and effort in promoting many useful kinds of activities.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in all we have about 190 community centres, including those in the rural areas. However, the provision of $150,000 for this financial year is inadequate to meet the needs of the rural community. Therefore, I would like the Minister to ask for more money from the Minister for Finance. Although there are nine community centres in my constituency, I still think they are not enough because the rural community is spread over a very wide area. But in town, the area is very small and one or two community centres will serve the purpose. For example, there are 15 community centres in Chua Chu Kang constituency, which is six more than my constituency. There are also 15 community centres in Jurong. However, I still think there should be more community centres for Chua Chu Kang and Jurong constituencies, because more and more people are shifting in to these rural areas. Therefore, we should build more community centres for the rural areas.

I would like to ask the Minister whether he has any plans to build a rural-type community centre for Sembawang out of this vote. There are two villages in my constituency with a population of about 500 families. They have asked for the provision of a community centre.

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member is rather covetous, not only in other respects but also in respect of community centres. If that is what he wants, the answer is no. In fact, we are going to cut down the number of community centres in his constituency, because we feel that they are not being properly used. The problem is not how many community centres we should have, but how are we going to use them to the best advantage so that they can provide beneficial and useful amenities to the people. If you have a very good and active community centre, it is as good as having 10. For instance, there is only one community centre in my constituency. I think the Member for Tanglin has not even got a standard-size community centre in his constituency. In the case of Sembawang, there are already three standard-size community centres and six rural-type community centres. And we feel that many of them have not been properly made use of or under-used. So we may even initiate plans to cut down the number of community centres in Sembawang.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): I would like to lodge a protest against the Minister. I have only brought forward the views of the people from my constituency. There is a real need for more community centres in my constituency, because I have toured my constituency and the people there have made such requests to me. Perhaps the Minister has got his information from the wrong sources, and I would like the Minister to rescind his order to reduce the number of community centres in my constituency. This is tantamount to a threat on his part. If he withdraws his threat, then I will withdraw my amendment. But he should reply to some of my questions first.

Mr Jek Yeun Thong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it is necessary to make a study of the activities of the community centres. We are going to initiate plans to find out whether or not they have been properly used. And if they are not used, I think it is only fair that we should close them down, because you just cannot have a centre when nobody wants to use it. It is true that people want community centres, but they want good and active ones. So the solution really is not to have more centres but to have good organisers in them so that they can rally the interest of as many people as possible. As I have said, you may only have one community centre, but if you can make it a success, it is worth more than 10. The emphasis is on quality, not quantity.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Minister for his reply, but I would like to tell him that all the nine community centres in my constituency are fully utilised. For example, during the day, every centre conducts kindergarten classes, and during the night, cooking and sewing classes are conducted in these centres. I would like to make a request for yet another community centre on a new site in Sembawang. I hope the Minister will consider my request.

I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $370,000 for Head 52 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

4.45 p.m.

Head 61 -

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 61 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 203.

This vote of $45,000 is for the building of a Cellular Block, Female Prison at Changi. Can the Minister please answer five questions which I am going to ask him? They are: (1) Has any training been provided for the inmates in this Female Prison? (2) Does the training include any handicraft work? This kind of training will enable the female inmates to earn a living when they leave the prison. (3) Are the inmates given any allowances for attending training courses? (4) How do we sell the handicraft work of the inmates? (5) How many female inmates are there in this prison, and how many of them are illegal immigrants?

The Minister for Social Affairs (Inche Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker, Sir, I see that the Member for Sembawang is now interested in female prisons! The provision of $45,000 shown under this subhead in the Development Estimates for 1972-73 is the amount necessary to meet the balance of expenditure for the project which has a total cost of about $180,000. To-date the expenditure is $142,554.

In the female prison, the emphasis, of course, is on rehabilitation. There is a rehabilitation programme aimed at assisting the inmates to return to the community as law-abiding and socially useful persons. This programme includes the following: training in self-control and discipline; vocational training and work; moral training and the cultivation of social consciousness; group work and female counselling work. They are also given opportunities to learn skills, to improve their work habit and to participate in work for which they are paid a fair wage, ranging from $1 to $10 per week according to their skills and industry. For those who are involved in productive work, like tailoring, laundering or the manufacturing of stuffed dolls, an industrial bonus at piece-rate is payable, in addition to the normal prison earnings. They are not eligible for any prison earning for the first month. However, thereafter they are graded according to their performance and are paid as follows: (a) eight cents per day and 15 cents bonus for each completed week; (b) 10 cents per day and 20 cents bonus for each completed week; (c) 15 cents per day and 30 cents bonus for each completed week; (d) 20 cents per day and 40 cents bonus for each completed week; and (e) 25 cents per day and 60 cents bonus for each completed week. On an average, Sir, a female prisoner gets approximately $5 a week as industrial bonus. Higher earners can get as much as $10 per week.

We have a showroom at Changi Prison where the articles made by the prisoners are on show. There is also a showroom at the Singapore Council of Social Services building at Penang Lane. If the Member is interested, he can visit these showrooms.

At the moment, there are 26 female prisoners. Off-hand, I cannot tell the Member the number of illegal immigrants. Anyway, I am told that most of them are immigrants or aliens. The rest were convicted for various offences, ranging from murder to theft. There were times when the highest muster for any one day exceeds 100.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, I wish to ask another question. What are we going to do with the illegal immigrants? Are we going to deport them after locking them up for some time?

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, the question of illegal immigrants is in the hands of the Ministry of Home Affairs. If I get a clearance to send them back to their own country, then they will be sent back; otherwise we will have to keep them here in Singapore.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the detailed explanation, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 61 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 301.

Sir, this vote is intended for the building of a fire station in Jurong. Sir, in last year's Budget Estimates, there was a provision of $242,100 for the building of a fire station in Jurong. Jurong urgently needs a fire station. I spoke at length on this matter last year, and in reply to my question the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs said that this fire station would be built sometime in 1971 or 1972. The Minister can refer to Hansard, dated 25th March, 1971, at col. 1337. However, construction of this fire station has not yet commenced. And we are now coming back to this House to approve the same vote. I would like to know why there is a delay in building this fire station at Jurong. Can the Minister say definitely when will work begin on this fire station?

Inche Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, I regret that, although the project for the fire station at Jurong was approved in this House this time last year, work on the building of the fire station has not yet started. The Jurong Fire Station project is now being evaluated by officials in the Ministry of Finance. When the project papers are finalised, they will be put to the Development Planning Committee for consideration. It is not, therefore, possible for me to inform the Member for Jurong as to when the fire station will be built, because formal approval has not yet been granted by the Development Planning Committee.

As to the reason for the delay, this can only be attributed to the need for costing. This was only completed in January 1972. We were advised by the Senior Architect of the Public Works Department that the cost of building the fire station would amount to $750,000 approximately. The Member will appreciate that development projects from the various Ministries are submitted to the Ministry of Finance and the Economic Development Division who will then process these projects in accordance with their priorities. The Jurong Fire Station project is now receiving the urgent attention of the officials of that Division.

The proposal to build a fire station was first mooted in June 1966 for inclusion in the 1967 Development Estimates. This proposal was considered and approved by the Development Planning Sub-Committee which had recommended a sum of money towards the project. The approval was conveyed to us on 21st August, 1968. However, on 14th November, 1968, my Ministry was advised that the Minister for Finance had decided not to proceed with the Jurong Fire Station project and, as a result, the Fire Brigade head of expenditure was deleted from the 1969 Development Estimates. The Minister for Finance was then of the view that the Jurong industrial town would be adequately served by the Alexandra and Bukit Timah Fire Stations. My Ministry subsequently re-submitted the proposal for a Jurong Fire Station, and it was included in the 1971-72 Development Estimates. Negotiations have been concluded with the Jurong Town Corporation for a suitable site for the fire station, and cost estimates have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance. Sir, as the situation stands now, it is anticipated that construction work cannot begin before June or July this year.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like the Minister to take personal note of this matter and to expedite the building of this fire station. I hope it can be built as soon as possible. I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $961,200 for Head 61 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

Head 71 -

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 71 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 101.

Sir, I welcome the increase in provision for the development of parks in both the MacRitchie and Seletar Reservoirs. In view of the fact that more and more people now live in high-rise flats, more open spaces and parks will be required by these teeming flat dwellers for their relaxation and recreational activities during week-ends and public holidays. In this respect I would like to know what recreational amenities will be provided in the parks. May I suggest that more pavilions be built in these parks and more grounds be made available for children to romp around, as they are generally brought there by parents to play. There should also be some food stalls, although the Memorandum on the Development Estimates states that some refreshment kiosks will be set up there.

Sir, I would also like to know what has happened to the proposal to set up a miniature zoo at the Seletar Reservoir by a Government-sponsored organisation. What progress has been made in this respect, and when will this zoo be ready for public view?

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board has already initiated plans to provide more and better facilities at the parks at MacRitchie and Seletar Reservoirs.

The provision of $170,000 for development at MacRitchie Reservoir will be utilised for the construction of an additional car park and the development of a landscape area along Lornie Road to provide additional amenities, such as large lawns which would be suitable for family picnics and a play area for children. Simple shelters and benches will also be provided, and planting will be incorporated in this area. Although there is already a tea kiosk at the MacRitchie Reservoir, which provides refreshments to visitors, additional food stalls have also been constructed recently in the vicinity.

The provision of more than $181,000 for development at Seletar will be utilised for the construction of a bandstand, fountains, ice-cream and refreshment kiosks, benches, an additional car park and toilets, augmenting the existing children's playground, rock garden, marsh garden, shelters and landscaping.

The zoo at Seletar is being looked after by the Singapore Zoological Gardens, a Government-owned public limited company incorporated under the Companies Act. This zoo is expected to be opened to the public either at the end of this year or, at the latest, in early 1973. A sum of about $600,000 has already been spent by the Company in respect of salaries for staff and landscaping, buildings and staff quarters, and the building of animal enclosures, and installations. An additional sum of more than $3,300,000 has been committed to provide a car park and access road to the zoo entrance and construction of enclosures, administration block, and other buildings.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I must thank the Minister for Law and National Development for his detailed reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 71 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 302.

Sir, the provision of $10 million for this subhead is a fairly large amount. Members in this House will be interested to know more from the Minister as to what these properties are, where they are situated, and for what purpose?

Mr Barker: Sir, the Singapore Government proposes to purchase, and to pay from this provision, certain properties belonging to the United Kingdom Department of Environment, and NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air Force Institute). They are housing estates in Braddell Rise/ Braddell Hill, Poulden Court at Seletar, Chia Keng II at Yio Chu Kang Road, Ministry of Transport godowns at Alexandra Road, and NAAFI properties - Britannia Club at Beach Road and Somerset House at Grange/Somerset Roads. These properties are for long-term development requirements of Government for public housing, industrial and recreational uses.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong: Sir, may I further ask the Minister what will happen to the Britannia Club, and whether this property will be made available to the public for recreational purposes?

Mr Barker: We will take over the Britannia Club and we will pay for it. I do not know whether our Army, Air Force and Navy will take over, but if they do, it means the public will be out.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong: Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $20,538,200 for Head 71 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

The Chairman: I propose to take the suspension now.

Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

Mr Speaker: I suspend the sitting now and shall take the Chair again at 5.35 p.m.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 5.05 p.m. until 5.35 p.m. Sitting resumed at 5.35 p.m.