NATIONAL SERVICE (Registration of non-citizens)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister, of Defence how many non-citizens, who, are permanent residents and who are within the call-up age group, have registered for National Service at the Manpower Base, and how many of them have been called up.

The Minister of Defence (Dr Goh Keng Swee): Mr Speaker, Sir, as at 5th March this year, 3,338 non-citizens have been registered. None have been called up for full-time National Service as registration is not completed. This is expected to be completed by 20th March. After that date, there will be call-up in three intakes commencing July this year.