MAIN AND DEVELOPMENT ESTIMATES OF SINGAPORE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1973 TO 31ST MARCH, 1974

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

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

2.37 p.m.

The Chairman: Main and Development Estimates of Singapore for the financial year 1st April, 1973 to 31st March, 1974, contained in Paper Cmd. 3 of 1973. For convenience, I shall take the totals in respect of the Main Estimates and the Development Estimates for each Head of Expenditure as they appear on the sixth and seventh columns respectively of the Summary of Estimated Expenditure in pages 53 and 54 of the Paper.

May I draw the attention of hon. Members to the Statement which appears at the bottom of page 51? The total in respect of the Main Estimates for the two Heads, Head 0101 Civil List for the President of the Republic of Singapore and Head 0102 Statutory Expenditure, are not to be voted. I shall therefore not take those totals. Further, the total amount to be voted in respect of the Main Estimates as shown on page 54 is $1,547,038,440 and not $1,854,441,910.

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

Head 0105 --

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi (Kampung Kembangan): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0105 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2003.

Sir, in the past, Members of Parliament have been given free Government Gazettes, and also Hansards, both the loose copies as well as the bound volumes. But at the moment Members of Parliament are not given any more free Government Gazettes, and with this vote, I would like to know whether Members of Parliament will continue to be provided with the bound volume of Hansards at the end of the current series.

The Minister for Health and Home Affairs (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to the question raised by the Member for Kampung Kembangan, I would say that hon. Members will receive a bound copy, with an index, of the current volume 32 of the Official Report of Parliamentary debates, i.e, the Hansard, in addition to the loose copies or the single issues which they are now receiving.

However, commencing with the next volume, that is, Volume 33, it is proposed to supply Members only with the loose copies or the single issues of the Official Report. Nevertheless Members may have their loose copies bound with an index, free of charge, through the Clerk of Parliament. When the volume for this series is closed, the Clerk will notify hon. Members so that those Members who wish to have their loose copies bound can send them to him for binding.

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff: (In Malay): Sir, in view of the reply, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The following amendment stood in the name of Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi -

(2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0105 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2011.

The Chairman: Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff, amendment (2).

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff: (In Malay): I am not moving my amendment, Sir.

The sum of $1,568,480 for Head 0105 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

Head 0108 --

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0108 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1080.

Sir, the establishment of a special Commercial Offences Investigation Department with specially qualified staff to investigate commercial crimes in Singapore is a long overdue measure. However, my original expectation, and perhaps those of others too, had been that this would mean giving the Commercial Crimes Department of the Police a real skilled and qualified fraud squad, and that it would also mean raising that unfortunate department from the status it has acquired in the Police itself, i.e, of being a sort of elephants' graveyard, to a more respectable condition. But now, for better or for worse, the Commercial Offences Investigation Department has been wedded to the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Could we know what advantages there are in this measure? And how, will the obvious necessity of liaison with the Police and other organisations, like the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the Registrar of Companies, and so on, be effected? Does it also mean, Sir, that the newly passed Securities Industry Bill will be partly the responsibility of this Unit in the Attorney-General's Chambers?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon): Mr Speaker, Sir, it was found that commercial offences in Singapore were becoming more varied and sophisticated. The facilities of the Commercial Crimes Branch of the Police as presently constituted were inadequate to cope with the problem. It was therefore decided to create a new department called the Commercial Offences Investigation Department, which will have a staff consisting not only of Police officers but also of lawyers and accountants. The functions of this department will be to investigate offences under the Companies Act and the Securities Industry Act, as well as to investigate offences of cheating, criminal breach of trust, falsification of accounts, forgery and other offences of a commercial nature.

Although the Estimates have provided for a new department under the Attorney-General's Chambers, the objectives can equally be met by an expansion and restructuring of the existing Commercial Crimes Branch under the Commissioner of Police. The Police prefer to do this and the Attorney-General has no objections. A final decision on this question is expected to be made shortly.

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

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

2.45 p.m.

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0108 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2001.

Sir, I am sorry that this query regarding accidents involving Government vehicles seems to be cropping up from year to year. In 1970 the matter was raised by me during the Budget session and the Minister for Law and National Development agreed that drivers of Government vehicles should set a good example in courtesy and caution on the road. Last year the Member for Punggol also raised this question and expressed his concern in this regard. The fact that I am raising it again this year is, I think, an indication that nothing much seems to have been done `with regard to improving the standards of driving by drivers of Government vehicles, and to courtesy and caution on the road; although in the case of the Singapore Armed Forces vehicles, their drivers have shown some improvement. Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary could enlighten us in this regard.

I think we should emphasise as often as possible the importance of courtesy and caution on the road and I am prepared to raise this matter again next year, as the result so far seems to be unsatisfactory.

Mr Ho Cheng Choon: Mr Speaker, Sir, the amounts incurred over the last three financial years in settling claims arising out of accidents involving Government vehicles in cases which did not go to trial, and the number of such cases are:

1970-71, there were 224 cases in all, and the amount paid out was $87,667.89.

1971-72, there were 194 cases in all, and the amount paid out was $72,091.92.

1972-73 (March), there were 237 cases in all, and the amount paid out was $124,742.87.

These figures show that the number of cases that have been settled remains at a steady level, although the amounts expended have increased. This is attributable to the fact that the average sum involved in each case has increased rather sharply. Drivers of Government vehicles involved in accidents through their negligence are subject to departmental proceedings with a view to disciplinary action in cases of proven negligence.

In the case of the Ministry of Defence vehicles, the drivers are not only liable to disciplinary proceedings but may also be ordered to pay or contribute towards the cost of the repair of their vehicles. Improvements have also been made to the training courses which these drivers have to undergo.

All these measures to try and reduce the number of accidents arising out of negligence are additional to the work planned by the National Safety First Council, the Traffic Police, and the Registrar of Vehicles, to obtain a better all-round standard of driving, courtesy and safety on our roads. However, these figures do not cover the position in respect of the various statutory boards which come under the general direction of various Ministries. If the Member would give notice of a question, we can try and get the necessary information on the extent of the problem and the steps taken to reduce the accident rates.

Mr Conceicao: Mr Speaker, Sir, I will take advantage of the invitation extended by the Parliamentary Secretary to ask the question which he has advised me to ask. In view of that, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $1,424,070 for Head 0108 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

Head 0201 -

Mr P. Govindaswamy (Anson): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0201 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001.

Sir, last year I raised the issue of the Prime Minister's salary, to which the Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, replied [Hansard, Volume 31, No. 11, col. 704, dated 17th March, 1972] by quoting Hansard, Volume 30, No. I, col. 8, dated 7th May, 1970, at paragraph 5, which reads as follows:

`I am not increasing my own salary of $3,500 a month. My salary will stay as it is until the end of 1972, by which time Singapore should have overcome the economic problems caused by the rundown in British military expenditure, provided we all work hard for higher and higher productivity and more and more industries.'

I am not particular about the Prime Minister's salary as such, but since he had already stated that it would stay until the end of 1972, I must, therefore, bring it up again. It is only a few weeks ago that the salaries of top civil servants were increased by a great percentage. Some of them were, in fact, given more than double their former salaries. I feel that it is time our Prime Minister's pay be increased in proportion to the recent pay rise for civil servants; and it should not be lower than a Minister's pay. Our economy is booming, and I am sure that our Prime Minister, on looking at our economy, can afford to smile now.

The Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen): Mr Speaker, Sir, the matter is now under consideration.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0201 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1041.

Since anti-pollution measures were introduced about three years ago, air pollution in Singapore has been considerably reduced. I believe three scientists were sent abroad for training specially to counter pollution.

However, I wish to know, more about the mysterious haze which had been "misting" our environment off and on sometime ago, which experience we have not had for many years. During the time it happened a number of people complained of irritation in their eyes. The only reason given for that appearance of haze was that there was a forest fire in Sumatra. Whether this is true or not has not been verified. Even now we seem to feel that our air is not clean. I wonder whether the Ministry of the Environment is planning anything to counter pollution of the air. Otherwise later on the polluted air might affect the health of our people and give rise to greater problems. Probably, in the future, we may have to wear gas-masks in this, smog-affected island.

There is another point that I wish to raise. I believe that sea pollution comes under the jurisdiction of another department. But what about smoke emitted from the funnels of some vessels? This seems to be the responsibility of another department. In, any case, what precautionary measures are taken against air pollution caused by the smoke of some of the vessels coming into our port?

The Minister for the Environment (Mr Lim Kim San): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Anson may not have been aware that the Ministry of the Environment did issue on 11th October, 1972, a press statement on the subject of haze over Singapore. It advised people not to be unduly concerned about the haze which spread over a very large area in this region. It also pointed out that it was not of local origin and that it was not photo-chemical smog. This was confirmed by the Anti-Pollution Unit whose air monitoring station did not indicate any increase in the pollution level except for a reduction in visibility.

I would like to assure the Member for Anson that the level of air pollution in Singapore is permissible and under control, though he may feel otherwise. We use scientific instruments to measure the pollutants and the level of various pollutants, particularly sulphur dioxide, and oxidant which cause photo-chemical smog, as monitored by the Anti-Pollution Unit, is still low and well within the international air pollution standards and criteria.

With regard to the question of smarting eyes, if the Member for Anson can be more specific and give more details, then an investigation will be carried out. But' I doubt whether the cause is due to air pollution in Singapore. I would like to remind him, however, that there are many causes to smarting eyes, e.g, cigarette smoke, spicy food, late nights and not enough sleep and, last but not least, conjunctivitis. If anyone should suffer from conjunctivitis, I would suggest that he refer it to a doctor or see the Minister for Health!

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has given an explanation which I think is not very clear. How did the haze come to Singapore? Has anything been done with the other Government to prevent the haze from coming to Singapore? I do not think so. The Minister only replied that "we are doing everything possible to see that it is all right." But the Minister, in replying to my question, should have said, "We will try to do something about that." Then I would accept it. But it is all right in any case.

The Chairman: Mr P. Govindaswamy, are you going to put your amendment to the vote?

Mr P. Govindaswamy: No, Sir. In view of the explanation, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0201 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1101.

Sir, the boundaries of the electoral divisions should be properly checked and voters who have removed from one place to another should have their change of addresses recorded immediately in the Register; otherwise, when voting day comes, these voters will not be able to vote. In fact, this happened during the last elections, when so many voters complained that they did not receive their voting cards. A voting card may show that a voter is staying in Hoe Chiang Road, but he may have to go to Jurong to vote. But he might already have gone to Hoe Chiang Road to vote, only to find that he has to go to Jurong to vote. Or it may even be Hoe Chiang Road! That is the trouble many voters have experienced. Why is it so? The names of the roads and also the names of the polling stations must be properly checked and recorded. I want this done, Sir.

3.00 p.m.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, for the information of the Member for Anson, when a voter changes his address, he must report directly to the Commissioner of National Registration or to those community centres designated for this purpose. At the moment, there are 82 centres in 63 constituencies to which they can make a report of a change of address. All these reported changes of address are notified to the Elections Department, which will then compile a list known as List B. A separate List B will be compiled for each of the 65 electoral divisions and will be exhibited for public inspection for a period of 14 days upon an annual revision of the Registers of Electors. This annual revision of Registers is always announced on TV, over radio and the press. I therefore advise every voter to inspect the electoral registers at any of these 82 centres, whenever it is announced that these registers are open for public inspection. Every elector who has reported a change of address should also inspect the Registers of Electors during such an annual revision.

In addition, members of the public can always go to the Elections Department at City Hall to seek advice on this and other election matters. Further, whenever an election takes place, polling cards are sent to all electors at their last known official addresses. Those who fail to receive polling cards can go to the Elections Department for such cards.

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

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $2,867,980 for Head 0201 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

The sum of $281,500 for Head 0201 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

Head 0301 --

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0301 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001.

Sir, in the past, there has been a lot of talk about making Singapore a brain centre in South-east Asia. What efforts have been made to this effect? We have quite a number of students going abroad for further studies. There is no doubt that Singapore cannot cope with certain fields of study. However, I wonder why many of our students still go abroad for their basic studies, facilities for which are available in Singapore. Obviously, they are either dissatisfied with the facilities available here or that many facilities are not available. All this talk about making Singapore a brain centre should show more concrete forms. We should put in more effort into what has been planned so that Singapore can truly be a brain centre.

The Minister for Education (Dr Lee Chiaw Meng): Mr Speaker, Sir, on the question of making Singapore as a brain centre, there are various developments towards this objective. The Applied Research Corporation at the Ministry of Science and Technology for Services in applied scientific and technological research, the International Development and Engineering Construction Organisation at the Ministry of National Development for engineering and allied services, and the various developments in medical specialities are some of the examples of our efforts to make Singapore a brain centre in this part of the world.

With regard to the Member's query on the large number of students going overseas, let me assure him that the institutions of higher learning in Singapore are one of the best equipped and staffed in this region. However, there are various reasons for students going overseas. We can divide them into various categories. Firstly, there are those who are on scholarship awarded by foreign governments and they are required to study in those countries. Secondly, there are those who go overseas for post-graduate research, either on scholarship or on their own. Thirdly, there are those who go overseas for subjects not available in Singapore, such as music and aeronautical engineering. And finally, of course, there is the group of people who are on their fathers' scholarships, and they go overseas because they cannot gain admission into our institutions of higher learning. The number of this category of people amounts to no more, than one-fifth of the number who go overseas.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, I am happy with the explanation given by the Minister. I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0301 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2013.

Sir, I rise merely to seek information regarding this subhead in respect of "Research". What sort of research is being done with Grants amounting to $90,000, and whether this research is in relation to the Applied Research Corporation which the Minister referred to just now, or whether this is something else? Where Contract Work is concerned, how is it given, and for what purpose? For the other two items, Patent Search and Miscellaneous, I just want some information, Sir.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Research Grants under this subhead have been provided since 1969 to finance and encourage applied scientific and technological research which are practical and relevant to our industrialisation programme. It is a bit difficult to describe what type of research is being carried out. Perhaps 1 will just quote a few examples: research on telecommunications problems, methods of shielding heat from walls of, high-rise apartments and, design characteristics, of waste disposal, incineration, etc. Each year, project proposals are invited from .the teaching staff and research personnel of our tertiary institutions, for consideration of financial support. Therefore, this is quite different from the Applied Research Corporation which I mentioned just now. The proposals are then evaluated by the Science Council and, upon its recommendations, the Ministry makes the grants.

With regard to Patent Search and Miscellaneous, these sums are provided for search as to whether any invention has not been developed and patented elsewhere.

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

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0301 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3003.

Sir, our conversion to the metric system in weights and measures is highly commendable. I would like to know how far has metrication been extended to the hawkers. I hope that during the process of metrication the markets in particular, could be looked into, with careful attention, because there is a tendency for them to carry on a great deal of unfair, means. The daching system of weighing has always rendered the customer the loser. It is hoped that the daching would be entirely got rid off as a system of weighing, and instead a proper balance scale be introduced so as to reduce the possibility of cheating.

Furthermore, with the promotion of metrication, may I suggest that each market be provided with a spring balance weighing machine where members of the public can check the weight of the food they buy.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: Sir, at the outset, we recognise the difficulties involved in introducing metrication at the retail trade level. That is why the White Paper presented to Parliament in 1970 recommended that the metrication in the retail trade be allowed to be implemented over a period of time. Notwithstanding this, we have been able to introduce metrication into certain trades, e.g. petroleum, textile, etc.

With, regard to the suggestion for the provision of weighing machines by the Government, I understand that a large number of Government markets at the moment do provide weighing machines calibrated in the customary units for the benefit of the customers. As and when the metric system is introduced into the markets and the retail trade, this will be provided for.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, 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 0301 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 11.

Sir, it cannot be denied that since its inception the Ministry of Science and Technology has done a great deal for Singapore under the enlightened and qualified Minister, who is now attending a scientific conference in Tokyo. In regard to research in science, he has made great contributions. This is very commendable.

Sir, the contribution to the Science Centre Board for 1973-74 is only $4.5 million, an increase of $0.5 million over 1972-73. This means that the work of the Science Centre Board has increased. I would like to ask a few questions about the work done and to be done by the Board:

(1) Since the establishment of the Science Centre Board, what work has been done in connection with scientific research and science?

(2) What plans in hand are to be implemented, and whether such plans will promote the interest of the people in science?

(3) Will such plans help in the dissemination of scientific knowledge?

3.15 p.m.

Dr Lee Chiaw Meng: (In Mandarin): We are still building the Science Centre. There is not much activity at the moment.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): He is not the Minister concerned with this subject, but I can excuse him for attempting an answer. I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $1,526,670 for Head 0301 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

The sum of $17,445,000 for Head 0301 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

Head 0401 --

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0401 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001*. (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Mr P. Govindaswamy and Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi.).

Sir, the Ministry of Defence, in a very short space of time, has done a great deal for the defence of our country. Our young people in the national service understand the problems of our country and they have actively taken part in the national service to shoulder the responsibility of defending our country. Since this task has now been established on a firm basis, we should now proceed with lesser speed. On this point of view, I remember that at the opening of this Parliament, when the President delivered his speech, he mentioned that we can now proceed with the task of nation building and defence at our own pace. The sum to be allocated now is $65 million for development. It is only half that of last year. This is a good trend. For this reason, I would like to make two suggestions for the Minister to consider.

First of all, relax the applications for part-time national service. There are some people who have to provide for their families. Some of them may be graduates and they are very much required both by the Government and, the private sector. May I quote an example? There is a hawker for soft drinks. Because of ill-health (he was suffering from high blood pressure) his business was carried on by his children. However, his son was called up for national service last year. This particular hawker, that is the father, applied to Central Manpower Base for his son to do part-time national service. The reason he gave was that his health was failing and that he could not look after his business. Unfortunately, his application was rejected. When we deal with applications like this, I suggest that the Department concerned should give their sympathetic consideration.

Secondly, for those who are studying abroad, we should either relax the conditions for national service or we grant them deferment. The parents of these students have paid a deposit with the Government to guarantee that their children will return to serve national service when they are required to do so. This is, of course, a reasonable arrangement. Some of these students, after graduation, may be granted scholarships and would therefore like to proceed for another year or two to do post-graduate research. The parents of these students therefore apply for deferment of national service for their children, and I hope the Minister will also give such cases his sympathetic consideration. These graduates will be able to contribute more for the country when they have further equipped themselves with qualifications, and I hope the Minister will help them to fulfil their wishes.

There is another case where two brothers have received call-up notices. As both brothers are called up, the family will be affected to a great extent. Their parents have applied for deferment or exemption for one of the boys until the other boy has at least completed his national service, so that this arrangement will not affect whatever business the parents have. This will help the family to carry on. I think requests of this nature are reasonable, and the Minister should therefore consider them sympathetically.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, a few years ago the question of the standard of driving of our national servicemen was brought up. The Minister then replied that disciplinary action would be taken against those drivers for careless driving. For a time the standard of driving showed improvement. But of late I must say that their standards have gone down a great deal. It is not an uncommon sight to see the jeeps, land rovers and trucks with MID number plates speeding along the road and causing a danger to other road users. I wonder if the new type of training course has any beneficial effects on the MID drivers.

I understand that some students from the Polytechnic were asked, at short notice, to lake over the duties of the ground technicians at the Changi Air Base from our national servicemen. If it is true, why do they ask students, who are still engaged' in their studies in the Polytechnic, to do, the duties at the Changi Air Base?

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff: (In Malay): Sir, the Minister of Defence has said in his press statement that people who are domiciled in Singapore, i.e. permanent residents, will be given citizenship because they have proved their loyalty to Singapore by enlisting for national service. A test of loyalty in such manner can be carried out on persons who are domiciled in Singapore and who are within the call-up age limit for national service. But for those permanent residents whose ages are beyond the required age for national service, what will be the alternative test of their loyalty so that they can become Singapore citizens? This question of citizenship has been relaxed as the Minister has said previously. I believe these permanent residents require citizenship very badly in order to get jobs and education for their children, etc. I believe these people are more loyal than those who are within the call-up age of 18 and 21 years, because they are grown up, elderly, and they have their wives and children born in Singapore. They expect their children to have a future in Singapore. Can the Minister of Defence give these people an opportunity to prove their loyalty in order that they can become citizens?

The Minister of Defence (Dr Goh Keng Swee): Sir, the Member for Sembawang, makes a plea on behalf of various categories of young men for deferment of national service. He quoted one instance where a son of an ice-water hawker was not allowed deferment. May I explain to him the way in which such applications for deferment of national service are handled in the Ministry of Defence? These requests go before an Appeals Committee, which consists of ordinary citizens, teachers and workers and so on, and they will examine the circumstances of the applications in some detail. Where it has been established that the family income will be adversely affected, deferment is invariably granted. In fact, more than 300 young men have had their national service deferred, and in cases where they have not been called up for full-time national service; they have been asked to do part-time national service. So it is not true that we are being very harsh and pay no heed to the economic circumstances of applicants.

Now, regarding people who study abroad. The Member wants us to be more generous. Actually, I think we have been over-generous to the extent that we are now in some trouble. May I explain the circumstances? I think I made a statement in Parliament some months ago about requiring parents of children who are studying abroad to furnish the Government with a bond. And we then decided that this bond will be forfeited if the young man does not come back when he is asked to do national service. As a safeguard, we appointed a committee to hear appeals in the event that people say that they cannot furnish this bond. This bond does not come up to an awful lot of money - $30,000 or $50,000. For some strange reason which I cannot understand, the Appeals Committee allow all appeals. As a result, most of the children studying abroad, even in secondary schools, are now not under bond. The Minister for Home Affairs and I are re-examining the whole subject, and we may want to re-establish the amount of bond and override the decision of the Appeals Committee. The trouble is this: the Member says that those who have done a University first degree should be allowed deferment to do their Ph.D. It starts actually from secondary school, not at the university. We allow them to finish their secondary schooling abroad. When they finish the Cambridge School Certificate or its equivalent, they say they want to do the Higher School Certificate. So we allow that. And when we do that, they say, "Look, I have got a place in the university." If we still allow that, they say, "You know, I am doing the Master's Degree." After that, then they will say, "Now I am going to do my Ph.D." When we have done all that, then the parents come round and say, "Look, my son is very brilliant. He now wants to do a doctorate of Science." This goes on, and by the time we get him, he probably is a grandfather. This has got to stop, and we shall have no more nonsense.

3.30 p.m.

So I am not in sympathy with what the Member has said. If you can maintain your son abroad in England, Australia, or America, or whatever place it is, you are not a poor man, and we cannot allow such families to form a privileged group to evade national service.

Now, as regards drivers, the Member for Anson said that Army drivers are becoming dangerous again. Actually I can give some details of what has happened since I last reported to Parliament. Sometime in 1970, Army trucks were involved in accidents at the rate of about one accident per 10,000 miles of travel. This is a rather shocking rate because in the British Army in Singapore the accident rate was one in every 40,000 miles travelled. So I enquired very closely into why our accident rate was so high, and it appeared to me that there were certain faults in the system. The first was that when an Army driver got involved in an accident, he was not dealt with by the Army but by the Police. So he was charged before a Traffic Court and usually he would appear in the Traffic court only after he had left the Army because of delays in the civil courts. So Army drivers who committed one offence after another virtually got away scot free. They were not punished. I therefore decided that the moment Army drivers are involved in any accident, they are to be placed under open arrest immediately. The Commanding Officer will then investigate the circumstances of the accident, and if it is found that the driver is the guilty party, he will be sentenced to detention. That measure had an immediate effect in making Army drivers drive more carefully. Hon. Members must remember that these drivers are, not old people. They are teenagers, 18 to 19 years old. A 19-year old boy, driving a three-tonner, will generally feel quite grand about it and will try to push smaller vehicles off the road. But when they get punished immediately for any driving offence, they will say, "Look, we had better be more careful."

The other defect in the system was that national service drivers also act as driving instructors to the new recruits. Hon. Members can imagine a 19-year old boy teaching an 18-year old boy how to drive a three-ton truck! This is not the ideal system. So we have to recruit a lot of regulars to make sure that the system of driving instruction is more satisfactory.

On top of all this, we also have to ensure that the trucks are better maintained, with proper brakes, clutches, and so on. This meant improving the maintenance of Army trucks, getting more spare parts and recruiting experienced mechanics.

All that has been done, and the result is that the accident rate has been reduced substantially. From one accident in every 10,000 miles travelled in 1970, it has improved to one in every 23,000 miles in 1971, then to one in every 27,000 miles in 1972. This rate includes accidents where the fault lies not only with the Army driver but also with the other party. So if you say that half the cases is the fault .of, the Army driver and the other half the fault of the civilian, you will get an, accident rate of one in every 50,000 miles, which means that we have at least reached the standard of driving of the British Army in Singapore.

As regards speeding, here again the reports of the Traffic Police are taken seriously and are reported to the Commanding Officer of the Unit in which the driver is attached, and the driver is dealt with by his Commander. I do not quite agree with the Member for Anson that there are more speeding cases. In fact, my statistics show that the number of speeding cases has gone down slightly. In 1971, there was a monthly average of 34 complaint of speeding. In 1972 it has gone down to 26 per month. This is still a lot of cases of speeding, and I intend to make sure that Commanding Officers punish speeding drivers more severely.

Regarding Polytechnic students at Changi Air Base, we did not `kidnap' any students from the Polytechnic. These are people who have completed their studies, done their national service, and have completed their basic military training. From there, they are sent to Changi Air Base as maintenance and repair personnel, where the skills they have learned can be put to good use. The Air Force Engineers' tell me that they are doing a good job there. So that is a good thing.

The Member for Kampung Kembangan put to me a poser as to how I can test the loyalty of people who are outside military age and who are too old to become soldiers. Well, I really do not know. I do not think it is for me to test their loyalty. I think this is something for the Minister for Health and Home Affairs to deal with these matters. It is his problem, not mine.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, as the Minister has given us a constructive reply, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave withdrawn.

The sum of $448,550,790 for Head 0401 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

The sum of $65,338,000 for' Head 0401 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

Head 0501 --

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

That the sum to be allocated to Head 0501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001.

Sir, after the independence of our country, we have actively pursued a policy of non-alignment and neutrality, maximised the number of friends and minimised the number of enemies. This is the fundamental of our foreign policy. As a result of this policy, we have established diplomatic relations with many countries in the world and have maintained very close relations with many of them. We have built up our reputation in international circles. This is the result not only of the policy of the Government, but also the result of the performance of our knowledgeable and learned Minister for Foreign Affairs. The implementation of our foreign policy has been very smooth and has met with no obstacles whatsoever.

In recent years, we can say we have been very busy in our foreign activities. For example, the Prime Minister went to Europe and Thailand; the Minister for Foreign Affairs went to India and Sri Lanka for State visits. In all these visits they have accomplished their mission and our country has been able to further strengthen and consolidate relations with these countries. Now there is peace in Vietnam and international relations have progressed further.

I would like to ask the Minister, in view of this development, whether our foreign policy will be modified. I would also like to ask: now that there is peace in Vietnam, in what direction will our foreign policy be taking? Will there be any basic change? What are the new diplomatic missions to be established in foreign countries to further strengthen the relations between these countries and Singapore?

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, with the recent signing of the peace treaty, peace has become a reality in Vietnam. May I ask how it will affect us in our relationship with Southeast Asian countries, and how will our commercial projects benefit as a, result?

Last year, I brought .up the question of diplomatic relations with China; to which the Foreign Minister replied [Hansard, Vol. 31, col. 730]:

`I have stated on many occasions that, in principle, since we have recognised and supported China's admission to the United Nations we must, sooner or later, have other forms of relation with them. But we are an island-state situated in South-east Asia. We have many neighbours whose interests and views must be considered should we want to enter into negotiations to establish a diplomatic mission in the People's Republic of China.'

He also mentioned that:

`Members of ASEAN have discussed this matter and there is general agreement that before any member of ASEAN enters into diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, he must consult the body and co-ordinate his action.'

Mr Speaker, Sir, may I know what is the outcome of this issue at the moment? Are the ASEAN leaders still contemplating on this issue, or is it too early to discuss the issue?

There is also one more point which I would like to raise, and that is, the proposal by the Thai Government to construct a canal through the Isthmus of Kra which is scheduled to be completed in a few years' time. I believe that the result of this construction would be that our international trade and foreign policies may be affected. May I know the views of the Minister whether there would be any threat to our country, Sir?

Mr Yeo Choo Kok (Delta): Mr Speaker, Sir, it seems to me that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has had great difficulties in recruiting suitable persons to head several overseas missions. Out of the existing 17 overseas missions, four missions are without representative Heads and some of these top posts have been vacant for quite a long time. Sir, I do not think this situation is healthy and helpful in promoting or strengthening good relations between Singapore and those countries where the missions in question are stationed.

Sir, there are several factors contributing to the vacancies of these posts. I wonder whether the out-dated and unsatisfactory terms and conditions of our Foreign Service are not .the deciding factor which deters persons of good calibre from joining the Foreign Service. I hope the Minister can quickly remedy this situation of having embassies without ambassadors.

3.45 p.m.

Sir, in the past we were often led to believe that our future as well as that of Southeast Asia as a whole would to some extent depend on the way the war in Vietnam was to he settled. Now that a settlement has been reached through negotiations, the dust has settled and the post-war situation assessed. I think it is high time for us to be informed as to the way in which the negotiated peace in Vietnam will affect the direction of ASEAN and whether Singapore has, in accordance with the concept of a global city, found a realistic formula for establishing links with the post-war Indochina.

Mr Conceicao: Mr Speaker, just a brief intervention, Sir, one stumbling block to better relations between countries is the difficulty posed by differences of ways of life, by differences in cultural attitudes and the poor understanding of the different forms of these cultural expressions. Perhaps one way to reduce this obstacle is for cultural relations to be encouraged between countries. This may take the form of informal discussions over exchange programmes or even cultural agreements or treaties.

Can the Minister for Foreign Affairs enlighten the House about such cultural arrangements that we may have with other countries, formal or otherwise, and whether we intend to extend such co-operation in the near future?

The Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr S. Rajaratnam): Mr Speaker, Sir, I always like to listen to the Member for Sembawang because every year he gives me a diploma for my performance! In fact, his estimation of my performance is even better than my own estimation of myself. However, a number of Members have asked a general question about Singapore's foreign policy in view of the end of the war in Vietnam. Obviously, the settlement of the war in Vietnam creates new conditions and new problems for us, because it will definitely bring Vietnam into Southeast Asian politics for the first time since the end of World War II.

In regard to our objectives, of course, they have always been consistent. First, it is to promote the national interests of Singapore, whatever the changes in the environment. That is our constant goal. Secondly, it is to promote Singapore's security. Thirdly, to make friends with all who want to be friends with us, and fourthly, to join with all nations, both in this region and outside, who would ensure peace, stability and progress in the area. These are constant objectives. But we cannot be assured of what the concrete situation in the region would be, whether there will be one Vietnam or two Vietnams, and whether the end of the American intervention in Vietnam would automatically end all conflicts in Southeast Asia. I do not know. It is obviously clear that we would first have to wait and see what the outcome of the peace agreement is. Will there be peace? If there is peace, then things will be much easier for Singapore and for this region. But if there are new conflicts, then we must study the nature of these conflicts to see how they will affect any of the four objectives that I have outlined, and we would have to make adjustments accordingly. There is no finality about foreign policy. Foreign policy is something which you change according to changing circumstances, bearing the four constant objectives in mind.

Now, with regard to the specific questions asked, first, by the Member for Sembawang. He has asked how many new missions we intend to set up. At the moment, as Members know, we have about 17 missions. It has been the policy of the Government not to establish missions for the sake of prestige or establishing a mission just because everybody is doing it. We only establish a mission when there are specific political, financial or security interests involved. If we feel that any of these interests can best be promoted and safeguarded by having a mission, then we will have it. We are rather cautious about establishing missions. Over the years we have gradually increased the number of our missions as our relations expand. This year, as far as our thinking goes, we intend to establish two new missions in Europe, one in Paris and the other in Bonn. This is because of the emergence of the European Economic Community not only in world politics but possibly also in the economic development of our region. This is an important factor, and therefore we feel that we should establish these two missions. It is also possible that we may, if not this year then later on, have to establish some kind of mission in Vietnam. This will depend on how things work out in Vietnam. If it works out according to the terms of the peace agreement, I think there should be no problem at all in establishing a mission either in North Vietnam, South Vietnam or in one Vietnam.

The Member for Anson has asked what is the latest with regard to our developing new forms of relations with the People's Republic of China. Broadly, what I said last year is still valid, except that clearly the establishment of closer relations between China and the countries of South-east Asia is far more imminent now than it was last year. But in view of the particular character of Singapore society and the particular image of Singapore among some countries in Southeast Asia, I think it would be convenient and definitely prudent for Singapore to allow other countries first to establish diplomatic missions. We can then follow suit soon after, without undue difficulties for ourselves. This is one of the reasons, as the Member for Anson has quite rightly pointed out, why the ASEAN countries had an understanding - not an agreement -- that before any such move can be made by any one of the ASEAN countries to establish a diplomatic mission in China, there should be consultation. However, in the case of Indonesia, I must point out that they had diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China before, and they suspended it only because of the difficulties they had a few years ago. But in view of the fact that in the present context establishing diplomatic relations with China will have repercussions of varying degrees on some of our neighbours, it is only fair and proper that, before any member-country makes such a move, it should discuss the matter with the other ASEAN countries with a view to determining whether or not such repercussions may affect their own security, national interests or stability. Singapore's position at the moment is this: we are prepared to be at the tail-end of the queue.

With regard to the Kra Canal, this matter was discussed even when I was a school boy. It is a perennial subject which comes up from time to time. But, as far as we know, only a survey is going to be carried out. Even if the canal is going to be a fact, it will take at least ten years before anything can be done. Therefore, I think we can afford to be a little bit more relaxed about the problem. We can give it serious consideration only if it is going to be a fact.

The Member for Delta raised the question of four missions which are without Heads of Missions at the moment. He wants to know whether this is because the conditions of pay and service are not attractive. I can assure him that this is not the case. We have no difficulty in finding Heads of Missions if we want to. But what we are concerned is to have a Head of Mission who can perform his functions effectively in the country to which he will be sent. It is more a question of the quality of the person. A Head of Mission may be very effective in one country, but he may not be able to perform or fulfil his functions equally well in another country because of language or the personality of the man in relation to the place. For example, an ambassador in Washington must behave differently from an ambassador in Moscow. They have different approaches. That is the problem we are confronted with. It is really a problem of finding suitable persons for the particular countries, and not the conditions of service. However, I think it is quite likely that some of these missions, in fact all of them, would have Heads of Missions fairly soon.

4.00 p.m.

The Member for Katong raised the question of encouraging cultural relations and having treaties with other countries. As a matter of fact, we have cultural treaties with a number of countries. Some countries do not sign such treaties but we still have cultural exchanges, whether in terms of visiting troupes of musicians, painters or artistes. Over the years, this has tended to increase. What has fallen short is that we ourselves have not been in a position to reciprocate. It is largely because it is not feasible or financially possible for us to send cultural missions abroad as frequently as other countries do. But I hope that in the near future we may venture a little bit more than what we have done in the past and send some cultural missions, especially in Southeast Asia.

If we define "culture" a little bit more broadly, we do have cultural exchanges. We have students who come and study here. The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies holds seminars and affords an opportunity for intellectuals and experts in various fields to meet together to discuss and understand one another's problems. In the field of cultural exchanges, we are not doing too badly, although it is quite true that we can always do better.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Sir, in view of the detailed reply given by the Minister to my satisfaction, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1006.

Sir, is our Government planning to open any more embassies in other countries in the near future? In view of the fact that nowadays some elements may have hostile intentions towards certain countries, I wonder if any extra security precautions are being taken at our embassies abroad? This is to ensure that we do not suffer the fate of one embassy in Bangkok or, more recently, one in Sudan.

Mr Rajaratnam: Sir, in view of the fact that our stated policy is to be friendly with all countries, I hope the fears that the Member for Anson has manifested in regard to the security of our ambassadors overseas would not be as serious as that. We are relying mainly on the Vienna Convention which governs diplomatic relations under which the host country or the receiving state must guarantee the security of both the personnel as well as the mission in the country to which it is accredited. However, in the normal course of events we have taken certain elementary precautions, not because we believe that we are in a hostile territory and not because we fear any hostile acts against us, but because we want to ensure the normal security, like making sure of the bona fides of visitors, fencing of missions where we can, and taking normal security precautions with regard to documents, confidential reports and so on. Apart from that, there is no likelihood, I hope, of Singapore embassies in foreign countries suffering the same fate as that of the Saudi Arabian embassy in Sudan.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The following amendment stood in the name of Mr J. F. Conceicao -

(3) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2016.

The Chairman: Mr Conceicao is not moving amendment (3). Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff, amendment (4).

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2021.

Sir, I just want to know more about the rental of a photo-copying machine. Is this vote provided only for the financial year 1973-74, or will there be a similar provision for the coming years? There was no such provision for the financial year 1972-73. If the photocopying machine is also to be used in the coming years, does the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not think of saving money by buying a machine rather than renting it?

Mr Rajaratnam: Sir, as far as I know, this is a charge for the hire of a photocopying machine. For financial reasons, it is cheaper to rent this machine than to buy one. Because of the various sizes of documents to be copied and the large numbers required for distribution to our missions, we have found that the small machine which we now have is quite unsuitable for this purpose. On the other hand, the cost of purchasing a big machine, advanced enough to handle the material for copying, would be unduly expensive, in fact, almost prohibitive if we are to add yearly depreciation to the cost. It is felt that for the time being, an expenditure of $5,000 a year on rent is more economical than to buy one. But if, at some future time, the volume of material churned out by my Ministry for distribution justifies this, then we may consider purchase of the machine. For the moment, I understand it is not at all economical to buy the machine.

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff: (In Malay): Sir, in view of the reply given by the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3003.

Sir, in moving this amendment, I merely wish to seek clarification from the Minister for Foreign Affairs as to the number of awards to be given under the ASEAN Training Awards scheme, and in what fields of training. I notice that there has been almost a two-fold increase in the provision, from $52,000 in 1972-73 to $100,000 for the financial year 1973-74.

Mr Rajaratnam: Sir, the increase in the provision for the year 1973-74 is really to finance ASEAN training awards which, as the Member knows, started in 1971. Over the years the call on Singapore to train people from ASEAN countries has steadily increased. According to statistics that I have, for the first year there were 17 places in various fields of studies, like poultry training, public works, road construction, building construction, sewerage, and so on. For the second year, it increased to 41 places for some 13 courses such as botanic studies, fire-fighting, librarianship, market gardening, prison work, public health, nursing, social welfare, and so on.

For the financial year 1973-74, there will be some 47 places in 16 different courses and, therefore, this increase is to meet such demands as we feel would be made on us to train. I think this is a good thing and Singapore is doing far more in this respect. The money is worth the goodwill, and it also affords an opportunity for Singapore to pass on on what skills as it may have to our neighbouring countries in the spirit of ASEAN co-operation. This money is well spent and we hope that if further calls are made to increase the sum next year, we shall be happy to do so.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Sir, in view 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 0501 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3104.

Sir, the Minister for Foreign Affairs mentioned just now that two new missions will be set up in Europe this year, and also "some kind of mission in North Vietnam or South Vietnam or one Vietnam" will also be set up, if necessary. According to the Memorandum on the Main and Development Estimates of Singapore, it says that Trade Offices would also be set up under this vote. If it is, could I ask the Minister to inform this House as to where would the trade offices be set up.

4.15 p.m.

Mr Rajaratnam: Sir, I think the trade offices may be the first step towards establishing diplomatic relations with Indo-china. We may have to do it progressively in the Indo-chinese states. As you know, a trade office is less political than a diplomatic mission. Sometimes it is better to enter through the non-political gate first, before moving into much closer relations at once.

We may set up a few others, but we are not quite sure yet. Perhaps in Europe, if the need arises, but there we do not yet know how our relations with the EEC would develop. So it may be possible. But primarily this vote is really for Indo-china.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am satisfied with the Minister's reply, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $18,903,820 for Head 0501 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

Head 0601 --

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker,

Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001*. (*The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr P. Govindaswamy.).

Sir, I would like to raise two matters:

(1) how to prevent industrial accidents, and

(2) relaxation of the requirements for work permits.

Because of the rapid development of our industrialisation programme all these years, industrial accidents have been on the increase recently. Workers are either injured, disabled or have lost their lives. The Government has taken various steps to prevent industrial accidents, but the situation still remains the same. In fact, in spite of the various measures taken by the Ministry of Labour, industrial accidents are still on the increase. According to statistics given by the Ministry of Labour, over the past ten years industrial accidents resulting in death increased by 258, and the number of workers involved in nonfatal accidents increased by 500 per cent. What are the causes for all these increases? We must find them out and take preventive measures. According to an explanation given by the Minister, one of the reasons for these accidents is that the Factory Inspectorate is still under-staffed, and as a result, inspections cannot be carried out extensively, and that there is really very little that can be done to improve the situation.

Last week, during the debate on the Budget statement, the Minister for Labour revealed that the Factory Inspectorate has a staff of only 20 members. This number may have remained the same for the past ten years. This is a very unsatisfactory state of affairs. We know that ten years ago our industrial development was still in the initial stages. The number of factories was then very small, around 300 to 400 factories. But now we have some 2,000 factories in Singapore. In spite of this increase in the number of factories, the number of factory inspectors still remained at 20. How can this number be enough? Because of this gross under-staffing, a lot of Labour regulations cannot be enforced or implemented. This shortage of staff should be overcome. Are we going to allow this shortage to carry on and do nothing about it? No. We can recruit more inspectors. Is there any problem about the salary or the terms of the conditions? There should be no problem because the number is small, only 20. We have a surplus of some $20 million. So, to increase the number of factory inspectors will only mean increasing our burden by a very small degree. I hope the Minister will recruit more factory inspectors to go on rounds in the factories to enforce the rules and regulations, and to ensure that old machines are not allowed to be used any more. Employers must be held responsible for the continued use of old and inefficient machines. It is only then that industrial safety measures can be implemented properly.

Secondly, the question of relaxation of requirements for work permits. Although there has been some improvement in recent years, this improvement is only in respect of the building construction industry. So a review has to be made in other respects. For example, shopkeepers and clerks are still in short supply because of this over-restrictive requirement for work permits. As a result of this, some shops for example, barber shops and coffeeshops are still shorthanded. It is my hope that the Minister will consider a further relaxation of the requirement for work permits in respect of clerical staff and shop assistants so as to help these shopkeepers.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, as I have another three remaining amendments* under the same Head, may I seek your permission to speak on these amendments, as it will then be easier for the Minister to answer?

• The remaining amendments, standing on the Order Paper Supplement, read as follows:

Mr P. Govindaswamy: (2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1101. (3) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1181.

Mr P. Govindaswamy:

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi:

Mr Ng Kah Ting: (4) That the sum to be allocated for Head 0601 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1351.

The Chairman: Yes.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, we are experiencing a boom of enormous proportions. It is greatly due to our present economic policy. We have brought about a sound government. A good and practical government has brought in investors flocking into this island to invest. All this is good for us, considering the fact that many of our neighbours are not so lucky. Whereas there is unemployment in many parts of Asia, we are experiencing the reverse. Thus we have a good number of work permit holders and a number of temporary work permit holders. These temporary work permit holders have created a problem. Do you not think, Sir, that these work permit holders, who are non-unionised, are liable to exploitation by unscrupulous employers? It is time we introduced a minimum wage limit for these poor unfortunate people who, because of their circumstances, have to seek employment in Singapore.

Regarding fire-fighting equipment and other professional appliances to combat fire in firms and factories, could the workers not be taught to make use of these facilities in case of emergency? Fires can break out at any time during the course of their duties. There are also instances where applicants for work permits have used decorations and titles to their names to claim certain skills. But when work permits are issued to them, they are found not able to do any skilled work. This sort of irregularity should be corrected. Though the Office is liberal with the issue of work permits to non-citizens, at this stage I believe there are quite a number of such "irregular" work permit holders. Is there any discrimination in the issue of work permits? I have heard of a complaint of work permits being indiscriminately issued.

Could the Minister also enlighten the House as to the recent dispute which our seamen encountered in Australia? And is there any remedial action taken on this subject?

Last year, according to the Labour Ministry, more than 10,000 accidents have taken place in work places, of which over a hundred cases are fatal. In view of the rapid industrialisation in Singapore, we have a phenomenal increase in the number of factories. However, our Factory Inspectorate consists of eight Inspectors who are expected to carry out spotchecks on our factories. How can eight Inspectors check on factories throughout the various parts of the island? No wonder we have so many violations of safety rules, and safety precautions have been found to be lax in most factories. If we are really interested in safety precautions in our factories, it is time the number of Inspectors were increased several-fold so that the Factory Inspectorate can do its work efficiently.

Mr Ivan Baptist (Potong Pasir): Mr Speaker, Sir, the terrible toll in the number of accidents in factories in Singapore is causing great concern to the NTUC. I am sure the Minister realises that the four E's towards accident prevention is a necessity for his Ministry to uphold. The four E's are: (1) Engineering, that is, the safeguarding of machinery and assurance that safety equipment are being used by workers. (2) Enthusiasm, the creation of enthusiasm of the workers and employers towards industrial health and safety. (3) Education, which is a means to ensure that accidents actually are limited. (4) Last, but not least, enforcement.

The Member for Sembawang has touched on enforcement, and I would like to ask what steps the Minister is taking to improve Education and Enthusiasm to ensure that workers do not continue to suffer in this terrible way where industrial accidents are concerned.

4.30 p.m.

The Minister for Labour (Mr Ong Pang Boon): Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Member for Sembawang will recollect that in Parliament last year I outlined a three-prong strategy to reduce the number of industrial accidents occurring in Singapore. Firstly, appropriate measures were taken to tighten up existing legislation to provide for higher standards of health, safety and welfare in the factories and at construction sites. Secondly, the Building Operations and Works of Engineering Construction Regulations, 1971, were promulgated to deal with the problems of high accident rates in the building construction trade. Thirdly, the quantum of workmen's compensation payable under the Workmen's Compensation Act was trebled to encourage employers to provide more adequate safety measures for their employees.

Members will also recall that a two-week long national campaign on industrial safety and health was launched in March last year. This was aimed at creating public awareness to the increasing rate of industrial accidents in the Republic and driving home the message that industrial accidents, quite apart from bringing sorrow and anguish to the victims and their families, also result in social and economic losses.

A new Factories Bill has gone through its Third Reading in Parliament recently. Upon coming into force, the provisions relating to the establishment of safety committees and the appointment of safety officers and industrial nurses would be enforced. Although I quite agree with both the Member for Sembawang and the Member for Anson that the number of factory inspectors should be increased if it is to be more effective - nevertheless, with the force that is available at present, the Ministry has stepped up its inspection of factories and construction worksites with a view to ensuring that the safety regulations under the law are strictly complied with. For the information of hon. Members, a total of 11,000 inspections were carried out in 1972, doubling that of the previous year, resulting in 234 court actions. This result was achieved in spite of the fact that the establishment of the Inspectorate has been rather small, as pointed out by some Members

Sir, the Ministry is also setting up study groups to consider and make recommendations on various aspects of industrial health and safety in specific industries. I think the shipbuilding and ship-repairing industries will receive prior attention, as the accident rates have been particularly high in the last year. These study groups will comprise persons who are conversant and directly involved with the problems in the industries concerned so that their recommendations can be adopted and implemented. Furthermore, the services of an ILO expert on industrial health and safety have recently been enlisted. Among other things, he will help organise and conduct courses for safety officers both in the public and private sectors. As a further step, the Ministry is also finalising plans for the registration of contractors. Certain minimal safety standards will be imposed upon registered contractors. It must, however, be stressed that prevention of industrial accidents is a tripartite responsibility. Without the sincere and wholehearted support of the workers and employers, stern and punitive measures on the part of Government alone can at best only bring about partial solution. In this respect, it is quite heartening to note that the NTUC is taking an active interest in educating its members, and I hope that with the effort of both Government and the unions as well as the employers, the rate of industrial accidents may be reduced in the coming year.

The Member for Sembawang also made a plea for further liberalisation of the issue of work permits, while the Member for Anson held a contrary view. Mr Speaker, Sir, in so far as the issue of work permits is concerned, the Ministry has been granting work permits liberally to non-citizens who possess the skills Singapore needs, who are hardworking and who, because of their educational or other qualifications, can be trained for our necessary skills and disciplines. The request for the liberal issue of work permits to white-collar workers, such as clerks and shop assistants, cannot be granted, because the need for immigrant workers is in the factories i.e, in the blue-collar jobs, not the white-collar jobs. The Government has no intention to liberalise the issue of work permits for shop assistants and clerical workers.

Sir, there is a limit to which the issue of work permits can be liberalised. The Government has to ensure that only those who can contribute to the growth of the economy and the well-being of the State are admitted, so that the social services for our own citizens are not overstrained and the quality of life is not lowered. So work permits will continue to be liberally given to technicians and skilled workers. If they prove to be an asset to the country, the Government will take the necessary measures to enable them to have their yearly work permits renewed on a three-yearly basis on the recommendation of their employers. In addition, they will also be eligible for consideration for permanent residence within a period of five years. This, we hope, will encourage those who would be an asset to the country to remain in Singapore.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Minister's reply is reasonable as we feel that there is a shortage of skilled workers. It is my hope that the Factory Inspectorate will get the necessary staff to enforce the rules and regulations more effectively against industrial accidents, so that we need not have to talk about industrial accidents any more next year. On this note, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The Chairman: Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff, amendment (4).* (*See footnote, Amendment (4), cols. 681-2.)

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff: (In Malay): I am not moving, Sir.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: I am not moving, Sir.

The sum of $4,889,470 for Head 0601 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

Head 0701 --

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker,

Sir, I beg to move,

That the sum to be allocated for Head 0701 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001*. (* The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Cheong Yuen Chee, Ong Teng Cheong and Ho Kah Leong.).

Sir, I would like to raise two matters: (1) improvement to bus services in Singapore; and (2) improvement to electrification programmes.

On the question of public bus services, Sir, it cannot be denied that after the reorganisation of the motor transport service two years ago, there has been considerable improvement. For example, the routes of the bus services have been extended to cut down the necessity to change buses. These are very good measures. But in spite of all these improvements, there are still some shortcomings which merit our attention.

Firstly, buses fail to keep to their schedule. We have received many complaints from the public about this, and I myself have seen that at many bus stops there are always crowds. The complaints are that a lot of people have to wait for more than half an hour for a bus, resulting in their being late for work. At other times, half a dozen or more buses will arrive at the same time, as if they are on a rampage, thus causing traffic congestion. This is a serious situation, and it is my hope that the Minister will take immediate and effective measures to remedy this.

Secondly, there are many accidents involving buses. Over the past year, we can see that the number of accidents involving buses is increasing. Many people have been injured or even killed on the roads because of such accidents. Mr Speaker, Sir, what are the causes for such an increase in the accident rate? Is it because of the poor driving of the bus drivers, or because of lack of experience, or because of some other reasons? Or is it because buses are too old and the engines are not in good condition? I hope the Minister will take measures to improve this situation.

4.45 p.m.

Thirdly, we should take immediate steps to ensure that the over-aged buses are replaced. I remember that in April 1971 when the White Paper on the Reorganisation of the Motor Transport Service was published, the Minister explained in great detail how a time-table would be provided in which old buses would be replaced gradually. Every year a certain number of old buses would be replaced according to a time-table. But in spite of that time-table we still see old "bone-shakers" on the road. There are many breakdowns of old buses on the road, and some bus drivers would just put a triangular Safety sign at the tail-end of the bus and walk off leaving the bus behind for display. As a result of such breakdowns, traffic congestion is frequently seen on the road. I hope the Minister can tell this House whether the replacement of old buses has been carried out according to the time-table, which is to ensure that old buses are replaced completely in due course, thereby improving our public bus services.

Fourthly, Sir, the attitude of bus conductors should be improved. We have read in the newspapers many complaints about the trouble between bus conductors and passengers. Many people have written to the newspapers to complain that there is discourtesy on the part of bus conductors. Of course, explanations have been given by the bus conductors, and there have also been accusations by bus conductors against passengers. We are not arbiters in such disputes. In any case, it is bad to hear of disputes and trouble between bus conductors and passengers, no matter who is right or wrong. It may be due to some misunderstanding. But bad impression is created for tourists because of these disputes. It is my view that the Ministry concerned should hold consultations with the unions of bus workers and the Association of Bus Employers for the general improvement of the services provided by the bus workers. We can hold courtesy campaigns and training courses for the bus workers.

Mr Speaker, Sir, the next point I wish to raise is the improvement of telephone services. Generally speaking, telephones arc a common feature in Singapore. They are even available in the rural areas. However, the popularity of telephones in Singapore does not mean that our telephone services are efficient. We all have this experience, Sir. Very often, we cannot get through a call because of some faulty lines, particularly when a call is being made to Government Ministries, for example, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Education, or even the Ministry of Communications itself. We have a Ministry of Communications which cannot be communicated with! Sometimes when I try to put a call through to these Ministries, it would take me more than half an hour to do so. As the Member for Sembawang, I have to make a number of calls every day in order to get in touch with either the branch officials or the Management Committee members of the Citizens' Consultative Committee because many matters have to be attended to. Very often I have tried to get a call through for half an hour and even then I might not get through. After dialling 5-0, I cannot get beyond that number. In some other instances, I cannot get through when I dial the last digit. It may well be that the line is engaged. But sometimes before I could complete dialling the number, I would not get the proper signal. Other than the fact that the lines are engaged, what is the explanation for my not being able to get through a line after dialling the first digit? I hope the Minister will look into the causes of these breakdowns in our telephone service.

Mr Cheong Yuen Chee (Toa Payoh): Mr Speaker, Sir, what I intend to raise has already been partly covered by the Member for Sembawang. Nevertheless, I would like to share his views that our bus services have indeed deteriorated since the reorganisation of the bus services in April last year. There are more frequent breakdowns of buses, and more buses are involved in accidents. As mentioned by the Member for Sembawang, this may be due to the recklessness on the part of bus drivers.

To emphasise the seriousness of these accidents I would like to enumerate a few accidents which I myself have seen.

Two buses ran off the road in Toa Payoh as they were coming out from the depot. One bus overturned when taking the bend at the circus in Toa Payoh. These accidents occurred three days in succession. Recently one bus rammed into the Toa Payoh flyover. I also witnessed an accident in which two buses were sandwiching a small Fiat Marvellette in Upper Bukit Timah Road.

I would suggest, firstly, that the Minister for Communications should take more adequate measures to prevent loss of life or serious injury to bus commuters. Secondly, I would also suggest that heavier penalties be imposed on bus owners for failure to maintain the buses in proper condition, which could lead to frequent breakdowns. Checks should also be made, on the bus companies' workshops to ascertain that they are sufficiently equipped to handle repairs and maintenance of their vehicles. Thirdly, there should be adequate technical staff to maintain and man the workshops. And, in connection with accidents, severe penalties should be imposed on drivers involved in accidents, such as a longer suspension of their licences. This may to a certain extent deter them from rash driving. Imposition of fines, as has been the practice, is not a sufficient deterrent so far, and we find that more and more drivers are reckless in their driving. It is not uncommon to see a bus following closely behind you, possibly about a foot away from your car, and stepping on the accelerator as though it is breathing down your necks. I think this behaviour on the part of bus drivers should be stopped. I fully support the point raised by the Member for Sembawang for more effective control of our bus drivers as well as bus operators.

Mr Ong Teng Cheong (Kim Keat): Mr Speaker, Sir, Government is aware of the deteriorating urban traffic situation. It has, in the recent past, introduced measures to improve the public transport services and to retard the increasing rate of private car ownership and usage with a view to achieving a more balanced traffic situation. For example, the White Paper on the Reorganisation of the Motor Transport Services in 1970 and the recent Ministerial statement introducing increases in road tax on private cars are highly commendable measures, but they alone do not provide a total solution to the urban transportation problem.

Although the public transport service has greatly improved since the last reorganisation, there are still many shortcomings. We should not forget that bus commuters have to walk from their homes or from wherever they are to the bus stops, and having to wait for the buses under local climatic condition is an experience which we all know what it is like. Many bus stops are still without any form of shelter. As a representative from a highly urbanised domestic constituency, I would be failing in my duty if I do not bring to the attention of the Minister that there are only about a dozen bus shelters in the whole of Toa Payoh New Town, which presently houses some 100,000 people. Some of them have been living there since 1965 and 1966. I cannot see any reason why we should continue to allow our fellow bus commuters to be subjected to the dangers, humiliation and inconveniences which most of them are facing today. I would like to see the Government put in more effort to make the bus commuters' journey less miserable and less dangerous by providing proper and safe pedestrian footways either along the ground, overhead, or underpass and also providing sufficient bus shelters, especially in highly populated housing estates, within the earliest possible time.

We are aware that there is a study currently in progress to advise the Government on the feasibility of introducing the Mass Rapid Transit System. The failure or success of the system depends very much upon the rate of switching of commuters from buses to private cars before the Mass Rapid Transit System is put into operation. Experience elsewhere has indicated that once a commuter has experienced the comfort and convenience of travelling in a private car, it would be extremely difficult to persuade him to give up his car and to travel in a bus or in a Mass Rapid Transit System. Even if we are eventually going to have a Mass Rapid Transit System, we would still have to provide good and efficient bus services to supplement the Mass Rapid Transit System to form a totally balanced transportation system.

Sir, it is estimated that the total revenue from road tax and motor vehicle registration alone for the coming financial year will amount to some $73 million. However, the vote allocated in the Development Estimates for the construction and improvement of roads and bridges total less than $23 million. Of this figure, only half a million dollars has been set aside for the provision of bus bays, bus shelters, vehicle parks, road-side curbs, etc. This is obviously grossly inadequate. It appears that there should be no financial difficulty in ploughing back more funds from the Revenue for the provision of bus shelters, foot bridges and other facilities for the commuters. Since the Ministry of Communications is looking after the public transport services and the Ministry of National Development is responsible for the construction of bus shelters, foot bridges and footways etc., I would suggest that there should be closer co-ordination between the two Ministries.

5.00 p.m.

Sir, during last year's Budget debate, the Minister for Communications quoted the conclusion of a critical article from the New Nation, and I like to quote it again [Hansard, Vol 31, No. 12, cols. 806-7]:

`It would also be nice to bear in mind that Singapore has the best public transportation system in the region, if not the whole of Asia.

And the tax-paying public can rejoice in the fact that it is also one of the few-non-Government-owned non-subsidized services in the world. It makes a profit!'

Sir, in order to ensure that our bus commuters give their continued support and patronage of the public transport service, for which they deserve comfort and convenience, and that part of the profits made by these bus operators is ploughed back to serve the bus commuters, I wonder if I can suggest to the Minister for Communications to look into the possibility of requiring bus operators to make financial contributions in future for the provision of bus shelters along new service routes, as an integral part of their services.

Mr Ho Kah Leong (Jurong): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, under this amendment, I would like to raise two questions. The first question is about trunk calls. I understand that many businessmen have complained that trunk calls take a long time before they can get a connection. Sometimes it takes three to four hours. And sometimes when trunk calls have been booked in advance, they do not get any reply. When they inquired from the Singapore Telephone Board, they found that the operator had forgotten about the booking. Perhaps the staff are overworked, so much so in some cases they have forgotten about the bookings.

Sir, we all know that Singapore is going to be a regional financial and industrial centre and, therefore, the communications link between overseas countries and Singapore must be maintained and improved. Part of this is, of course, the trunk call service. I hope that this inadequacy will not handicap the development of our country in this respect. I would like to know what the Minister proposes to do to improve our overseas trunk call service.

The second question is in regard to the telephone service in Jurong. We know that Jurong is our largest industrial estate. There are about 400 factories in full production. But the telephone service in Jurong has not improved very much. This is particularly obvious in the mornings between the hours of 10 a.m, and 12 noon. Very often we cannot get our calls through. This is the peak period. I do not know what plans the Singapore Telephone Board has to improve the telephone service in Jurong.

The Chairman: Order. 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 5.04 p.m. until 5.35 p.m. Sitting resumed at 5.35 p.m.