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

Order read for resumed consideration in Committee of Supply [3rd Allotted Day].

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

2.37 p.m.

Head 1001 -

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

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

Sir, the National Sports Promotion Board, under the Ministry of Social Affairs, has the great responsibility of promoting sports. In recent years, the NSPB has done a lot in this respect. We have seen a lot of sports activities being carried out because of its efforts. For instance, under the auspices of NSPB last year, we conducted the first soccer competition among the various constituencies and also a basketball tournament. All these had been very successfully organised.

However, the NSPB still has much to do to further improve sports activities. Firstly, since the responsibility of the NSPB is to promote and raise the standard of sports, it should go all out. For instance, in badminton we were well known in the past. But our standards have fallen "10,000 feet" down, and are still on the decline. Every time our players took part in badminton competitions, they scored Nil. And for basketball or soccer matches too, the score was Nil; if it was not a chicken's egg, then it was a duck's egg. So as the NSPB is the nerve centre for sports promotion and as the Government has allocated large sums of money for this purpose to make our next generation a rugged one, the NSPB should live up to its name by not letting the people down, but give them confidence and hope that it will succeed.

Sir, I would like to ask the Minister what has the NSPB done or achieved since its inception to raise the standard of sports. I regret to say that it has done nothing. It seems that the NSPB has not paid enough attention to promote sports and games in the last two years. It has only concentrated its attention on soccer. It appears that the NSPB has neglected to promote other sports like badminton, basket-ball, volley ball, field and track events, judo, and others. If it is so, I hope the Minister can rectify the matter.

Sir, 1973 is undoubtedly an important year in our sports history because the SEAP Games will be held in Singapore in September this year. In addition to playing our part as the host country, we should also be able to ensure that our athletes put up a good performance in order to qualify for participation in these Games. I would therefore like to ask the Minister whether he has started any intensive training courses for our athletes to raise their standards.

The other matter I wish to mention is that not enough publicity has been given to these Games. And very little has been done in respect of promotion or readiness for the Games. I feel it is not enough to have just a few posters pasted at the back of buses as advertisements. It is our glory that these Games will be held in our country. So the National Sports Promotion Board should publicise early so as to enable our people to be aware of this important event and the NSPB should also put in more effort to get the people to support the Games.

Sir, I would like to give some suggestions to the Minister for his consideration. Firstly, a magazine should be published to introduce the sportsmen of the various countries who come here to participate in the Games. Our local newspapers can also do this. In this way, our athletes and sportsmen will be better prepared. Secondly, the NSPB should prepare in advance the various souvenirs, gifts, and awards depicting our national characteristics so as to give a good impression on the competitors from abroad. This is also one way to promote tourism. Thirdly, we should publicise through Radio and TV the sports events. In this way, we can inform our people better. At the same time we should prepare our athletes well so that they can win laurels for our country in the Games.

2.45 p.m.

Mr P. Govindaswamy (Anson): Mr Speaker, Sir, the formation of the National Sports Promotion Board a few years ago by the Ministry of Social Affairs is commendable. As a result, I believe officials from the various sports organisations have organised themselves to promote sports in the Republic. We should be proud that the SEAP games will be held in Singapore very soon. We have provided many facilities to promote sports in the various fields. However, I am a little perturbed over the standard of our sportsmen in international competitions. I wonder what the Ministry is doing to inject new blood into the various fields of sports. It is no use spending so much money in providing facilities when the people are not taking advantage of them. Sportsmen do not directly contribute to the Republic's revenue. Nevertheless, their achievement abroad is a morale booster for our country. We have introduced family planning and one of the reasons is to achieve quality in our society. Therefore, sports as a social benefit should never be neglected.

I would urge the Minister to inject new blood into our sports organisations. In this way we can bring the standard of our sports to international level. Every encouragement should be given to our sportsmen, otherwise it will be very hard for them to reach a high standard. This can be accomplished to a great extent by offering incentives to our sportsmen, such as time-off and allowances. For example, a man may want to go for football practice, but he may not do so because he has to work the whole day. The result is that he would not be able to play football well. He might not be able even to kick the ball! They should also be given training in international events.

Steps should also be taken to ensure that discipline is maintained among our sportsmen. Sometime ago the National Sports Promotion Board took action to suspend some prominent soccer players for their bad conduct abroad. I wonder whether precautionary measures have also been taken to prevent a recurrence of this nature among all other sportsmen.

Sir, the inter-constituency tournament in soccer and basket-ball has to a certain extent provided a change of scene for our sportsmen from the various constituencies. A few talented sportsmen were selected to represent the State. I wonder whether competition of this nature can be organised for the other sports.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (River Valley): Mr Speaker, Sir, since I will be speaking on the National Sports Promotion Board under subhead 2027 of Head 1001, for which I have an amendment* , may I be allowed to speak now? If so, I will withdraw my amendment when it comes up.

• The amendment, standing in the names of Dr Tan Eng Liang and Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi, reads as follows:

(6) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2027.

The Chairman: Yes.

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Sembawang has initiated some observation on the role of the National Sports Promotion Board. I would like to add some of my own observations.

Sir, the National Sports Promotion Board was officially formed on 1st February, 1971, with the primary objective of promoting all sports in the Republic. Besides encouraging, developing and promoting sports for competition and recreational purposes, the Board is also supposed to foster research and studies in sports, physical education and to train instructors. However, I regret to suggest that since its inception the Board has not achieved its prime objective.

Many in the sporting fields have observed and complained that the NSPB has been obviously biased towards soccer. In this respect, I would like to ask the Minister for Social Affairs how much money the NSPB has spent in promoting soccer as compared to the other sports. I was surprised to learn from many members of the sporting public that the NSPB is often referred to as the "National Soccer Promotion Board."

Despite this partial approach in favour of' the Football Association of Singapore, the standard of soccer in our Republic has still some way to go, as told to me by many a previous expert. Another interesting feature is that a scratch team is often called the Singapore Selection team or the Singapore Invitation team. It was only about a fortnight ago that I read in the newspapers that a few players from the paying spectators were requested, just before the match began, to represent Singapore in a soccer match against a foreign team. I think the Republic's name should be treated with greater respect.

The soccer team also appears to be the privileged national team in regard to overseas travelling. The team had made about eight trips abroad during the past year, although the Association has little money. I was told that seven officials accompanied the team of only 17 footballers to participate in the King's Cup tournament at Thailand. Of these seven officials, five were paid for by the NSPB.

I heard also from the Sports Parade programme last Friday that the National Soccer Team will make an extensive tour of Australia sometime in October/November this year after the SEAP Games. This is arranged as an incentive or reward to perform well in the coming Games. I would therefore suggest that NSPB should look into the probability of arranging such trips or "rewards" for other games, which 1 am sure may perform much better than the soccer team in the coming SEAP Games!

In this connection, some officials of the NSPB have seized every opportunity to travel abroad for no apparent good reason. Selection of officials to lead and travel with certain national teams is seldom based on merit and necessity. I would therefore suggest that available public funds must be spent wisely and fairly.

Allow me now, Sir, to shift the scene back to Sports House - the headquarters of the NSPB. The Medical Unit, I understand, consists of a well-equipped Sports Medical Department as well as a Physiotherapy sub-unit. I would also like to know how much money was spent to set up this Unit? How many cases were treated for 1972, and whether any research papers were produced to help our various coaches and athletes? I was also told that the medical officer spends much more time trying to promote sports than conducting research in sports medicine. In addition, the physiotherapist has resigned due to the lack of work.

Another point, Mr Speaker, Sir, that I would like to raise concerns the indiscriminate promotion of inter-constituency games, which was also previously mentioned by the other Members. While the good objective of such promotion is welcomed by all, proper and efficient planning should be exercised. The NSPB should not get involved in organising age-group games. This group of students is well catered for by the schools themselves. Hence, this exercise by NSPB is a duplication of effort and taxes the young students to maximum capacity. Our national need is to look after the school leavers and to provide healthy sporting activities for their well-being. The Board can therefore spend its time more profitably if it seriously looks into this problem.

From the above few observations, Sir, it appears that the administration of the NSPB is indeed lacking in efficiency. There is completely no co-ordination and rapport among the various sections and there appears to be also a lack of experienced officials. I would therefore suggest that the whole administration of the NSPB he thoroughly reorganised.

It is heartening to note that the Board has received much financial aid from the commercial sector, and that for 1971 alone the Board received a grant of $400,000 from Singapore Pools (Private) Ltd. These contributions and grants from well-wishers are meant to promote sports in general and not to be so biasly confined to certain sports. Perhaps the Finance Committee of the NSPB should spend more time looking into a fairer way of apportioning funds, and should meet more regularly to effect better control of expenditure and funds.

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi (Kampung Kembangan): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, the suggestion made by the National Sports Promotion Board to organise inter-constituency soccer tournament with the object of promoting sports and scouting talent in sports is a good one. This will increase the standard of soccer in Singapore, which seems to be on the decline. But, Sir, you will be disheartened to learn that at this moment only 16 constituencies have organised sports clubs which have since been registered. Nine clubs are under consideration for registration, but the rest have not submitted their applications for registration. Although the effort of the NSPB is a good one, nevertheless more than 50 per cent of the constituencies have not yet made any applications for registration. I believe there must be some reason why the constituencies have not responded to the call.

The NSPB has so far only made suggestions, but it has made no real contribution whatsoever. For instance, in some constituencies like Kampung Kembangan, there are no facilities for the training of badminton, especially those with talent. The open badminton courts in the community centres are not suitable for players with talent. These players need to be trained in indoor courts because badminton competitions, whether national or international, are played in indoor courts. But I think the NSPB can at least make a useful contribution by organising group training in badminton, and also other sports like soccer, for players who show promise. Although the NSPB is biased towards soccer, nevertheless, in my constituency there is not a single football field in which to play soccer. The public is prohibited from using the school playing fields for any sports activities. Therefore, I hope the NSPB will, in addition to organising sports at inter-constituency level, also provide facilities for the training of talented youths. For instance, there should be facilities for the training of soccer, swimming, badminton, etc.

3.00 p.m.

Dr Ong Leong Boon (Kim Seng): Mr Speaker, Sir, may 1 join the chorus of four Members who have spoken about the somewhat sad state of affairs that exists in the sports world in Singapore today. I remember having risen here and said the same thing some six months ago, and to this day I am sad to say that there has been no visible improvement in any particular game in Singapore.

Sir, six months ago, I called for the formation of a Sports Ministry and I have not forgotten about this call. If the NSPB, as we have heard earlier on, cannot properly carry out its functions and responsibility expected of it, then scrap it. Let us not continue to allow vast sums of money to go down the "soccer drain". Soccer has risen to no heights. We hope it will rise. But despite all the efforts that have been put in, I think it still stays on a pretty low plane.

Sir, I would like to be fair in my comment. Over the last year or so the Government has, in fact, tried to promote sports in the form of inter-constituency games, and it has definitely aroused more interest and more participation from various people -sportsmen and athletes - throughout Singapore. But I think we have to do much more than what we have done. I would like to repeat what has been said earlier by certain Members that the emphasis by the NSPB has been and still is - we hope never - lopsided. This lopsidedness is too apparent and is not in the interest of the sporting world in Singapore. Soccer has been promoted too much without any reasonable result. What about the other sports organisations? We have yet to hear of the volley ball association, for example, sending its team for competition elsewhere. We have yet to hear of the NSPB trying to promote the other sporting activities. Members may be aware that at the recent karate competition, one member of the Singapore team did very well, and nobody has suggested sending our karate team for further training in Japan. I think we should promote our national teams. Boxing requires to be further promoted. Table tennis, badminton, even swimming and water polo, need further promotion.

In swimming, our boys and girls have been sent overseas through the main efforts of their own parents. I say swimming has done far more to uplift the standard of Singapore sports than many other games.

An hon. Member: Hear, hear!

Dr Ong Leong Boon: It has won us the most gold medals in the last SEAP games. And I am sure it still will. But we have not done enough. Sir, I can continue rolling on. But let me come to specifics.

I would like to suggest to the Minister concerned that perhaps we should, at least for a start, consider two matters and grant special consideration for our sportsmen. Firstly, we should give time-off to our sportsmen for their training. Let us facilitate them. Some of them might be working in Jurong, and they have to come down for training at Fairer Park. They finish work at 5 p.m. and they are expected to be at Fairer Park at 5 p.m. I say, this is a bit too much. I can quote cases where they just cannot make it. In the end, they would probably drop out of the national team.

Secondly, I am sure the various sports associations would appreciate it if the Minister can arrange with the Singapore Airlines, just like the arrangement by the Ministry of Education for special concession rates, to send our athletes or sportsmen overseas at concession rates. The Ministry of Education has arranged group tours at half-price. Why not do the same for our sportsmen?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Labour (Mr Fong Sip Chee): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to speak as I am provoked by the very sincere though very vigorous arguments put forward by the Member for Kim Seng. From the impromptu utterances in this House, one can actually sample the true feelings of the Members here. The Member for Kim Seng has put up a pretty balanced argument, although the Member for River Valley's argument might appear to be lopsided. Probably it is because he was an exponent in water polo in his younger days. I hope he still is. But I would take his argument very seriously, Sir, because I believe the Member for River Valley, as well as the Member for Kim Seng, know what they are talking about because they were sportsmen before.

Sir, I think we in Singapore are faced with a rather difficult situation in that our population is not sufficiently sports conscious in as much as they are not sufficiently culture conscious from the arguments we heard yesterday. A solution might well appear to be to broaden the sports base. The best approach would be to train our young students in the schools. It is indeed a very heartening sight nowadays, if we drive around or near the locations of the schools, to see young students sweating themselves, running along the road and unfortunately, at the same time, breathing in rather polluted air.

Sir, we have to face the fact that our population here is of migrant stock. We carry with us a rather different thinking on matters like sports. Sir, I remember that when I was a young lad, any extra-mural activities on my part, like trying to kick a football in a back-lane, would always end up with a few strokes of the rotan at the most tender part of my body. That was unfortunately the opinion or idea of our older generation on sports. Our forefathers rather preferred us to spend more time digging into our books than going round kicking a ball, unfortunately, at the wrong place too - in a backlane. The situation has changed now. We cannot afford to have a population digging into books with total disregard for physical fitness, particularly in a highly urbanised society as in Singapore.

Sir, I have the advantage of seeing a few highly industrialised cities in this part of the world. I find that the population there has a rather significant peculiarity in that they are small in build, fair, and rather timid in nature. I think this is due to the fact that the country is so highly urbanised that the people have got to live in small houses. There is no chance for them to stretch their muscles. The working rhythm and lack of nourishment are contributing factors. And, most important, they are not sports conscious. In that situation, I am afraid it is almost impossible to produce good sportsmen because of insufficient facilities for the promotion of sports. In the end, they produce a young generation who are small built. Sir, I mention this not with the intention of throwing any reflection on any Member in this House. I say that we have to accept what nature has given us. But I think we can improve on our physical make-up by better nourishment, facilities for sports and exercise. We do not need to develop ourselves into a highly urbanised and civilized society but with soft knees and soft elbows. We may have good brains, but I think we also need the muscles and the stamina to make our brains work.

Sir, I think the Members have put forward very positive arguments. In my younger days, I was only a second grade sportsman; I never reached the first team in the school. Probably I did not do enough. I do not wish to put the entire blame on my generation. But I feel that the Members who have spoken - I hope all Members in this House - can be equally positive, physically, in promoting sports as they are vocal on that subject in this House. I was rather impressed by the argument of the Member for Sembawang. This is a rare occasion, Sir, that I agree with him. I believe that when credit is due, it must be readily given. I was quite impressed by the rather balanced argument in the first part of his speech, but disappointed towards the end.

Sir, when the Member for Sembawang stood up, I recall that he had also on a few occasions got himself involved or perhaps someone else involved him in some kind of sports - I do not know whichever way it was. He was the leader of the table tennis team that toured Seoul, South Korea. Am I correct? Sir, before I go on I would like to seek clarification. If it is not true, then I would divert the subject. Did the Member for Sembawang lead a table tennis team to Seoul and a swimming team to Rangoon in Burma?

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, this is quite irrelevant to what we are talking about.

Mr Fong Sip Chee: Sir, I am trying to prove my point. And I hope Members can be equally active and positive in their physical actions towards sports, as they are vocal or championing the cause in this House.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Parliamentary Secretary is talking rubbish!

Mr Fong Sip Chee: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek your ruling on the last remark of the Member for Sembawang as to whether or not it is parliamentary?

The Chairman: You are swimming very close to the danger line. Standing Order 47 (10) says:

`No reference shall be made to the conduct or character of any Member or of any public servant, other than his conduct in his capacity as a Member or as a public servant.'

Mr Fong Sip Chee: Sir, I am just trying to seek clarification. That is the lead for me to develop my argument. I do not know why the Member for Sembawang is so self-conscious. Probably he suspects that my argument would be leading in such a way that it is not in his favour. Sir, I think that is prejudging. It may be a bouquet for him. May I be allowed to carry on?

The Chairman: Mr Fong, are you making remarks about him as a Member of Parliament?

Mr Fong Sip Chee: Yes, Sir,It is a bouquet for him.

The Chairman: Are you praising him?

Mr Fong Sip Chee: Sir, whichever way you want to interpret it, I think I will leave it to your ruling.

The Chairman: I would rather you stop referring to the hon. Member for Sembawang, and carry on with your speech.

Mr Fong Sip Chee: Very well, Sir, if it pleases you, I will put it this way. May I in doing so repeat what I have in my mind earlier, and that is, that Members should be active and positive in their approach towards this subject physically rather than merely making utterances in this House. I believe it is of no use if some Members of Parliament headed some sports associations. I know one Member, Sir, who is involved with the Boxing Association and this Association is doing well. They produce good boxers. But I cannot see the logic that a certain Member of Parliament led teams of, say, table tennis and swimming overseas, when he himself did not in the first place contribute much to deserve those trips. Secondly, what were the experiences of these two trips?

3.15 p.m.

As regards the results of the matches, whether we brought home duck's eggs or chicken's eggs as one Member referred to, I think is immaterial. The two trips should be sufficient enough to provoke anyone, including The Member in this House, to get himself involved in these two sports more seriously. What I intend to put forward is that it has become rather ridiculous and a mockery to the sport itself a Member leading a sports team or accompanying the team overseas, while he himself knows nothing about the sport. I used to involve myself in these two particular sports before, but I felt I could not positively contribute towards the sports and I declined a proposal made to me several years ago, to head a certain sports association. I did not believe at that time that my involvement in that particular association, either as an official or just to lead a team overseas, would do much good to that sport.

We should view this with a more balanced and logical mind. Instead of merely catching on a trip - I think the Members for Kim Seng and River Valley said that trips were paid for, or that there would be reward trips and so on, I do not think that is a good thing. Sir, because this vacant seat in the aeroplane could well be given to a young sportsman who could be trained, rather than sending someone who had never even touched a racket or a bat, or even went as far as the water's edge. I do not know how we can make ourselves answerable to the sports public that one who has never involved himself in the sport and knew nothing about it could get himself involved in heading an overseas trip for that sport.

I would like to listen to some arguments afterwards so that when I leave this Chamber at the end of this debate, I can walk away with some fresh ideas as to how sports can be promoted, other than getting a few well-known personalities to accompany the sports team, because that is surely not the way to improve sports.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): I think the Parliamentary Secretary is talking something which is quite irrelevant to what we are discussing here. I think we should have a fair view here. We are talking about how we are going to promote sports more effectively. But what he has been talking about is irrelevant. He is trying to show his capability that he was a second grade sportsman in his school days. He is trying to show off his ability. I wonder what he has in mind. I am a bit puzzled here. I regret very much.

Mr Fong Sip Chee: I assure you, Sir, that I would not make your job any more difficult. I just want to answer a few points. It was out of modesty that I regarded myself as a second grade sportsman only, never the first grade. That is one point, Sir. Secondly, had I been out of order, I believe you would have put me in my proper place earlier. So I do not think there is the need for the Member for Sembawang to take over the functions of Mr Speaker.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, we all have heard what you have ruled. So what else is there to say?

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, I merely wish to clarify the stand of those few Members of Parliament who spoke earlier. They were only trying to constructively criticise the NSPB. We would like to assure the Member for Stamford that each of us in our own field could easily demonstrate the particular sporting organisation that we are attached to as to how to run a particular sports association. I, for one, would like to assure him that, as far as positive contribution is concerned, I can suggest many ways of running a particular game or a few sports. I think it has been misunderstood. The intention here is to show cause as to why the NSPB should be reorganised and in what areas. I have only given, in my particular case, a few examples showing why it is not completely in order. Therefore, I am obviously putting forward criticisms which I hope are constructive. It is understood that whatever little good that you have done, the public will appreciate. So let me, on behalf of those who merely take the stand, say here that we are trying to tell what is wrong with NSPB. As to positive contributions, certain Members are associated with certain sports, and so on, and I think they will work on their own particular area.

There is something basically wrong with NSPB in its major role to promote all forms of sports. I think what we have all tried to say was that it was biased. It was also unnecessarily lacking in efficiency in certain areas as pointed out by some of us. I think it was not meant to be a balanced statement. It is obviously an unbalanced statement to pin-point the areas which need improvement.

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon (Tiong Bahru): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, we are very fortunate to be able to host the SEAP Games in our country for the first time. When preparing for such an important event, we have to be very careful in dealing with the various problems. The Government itself is actively engaged in planning the Games. This is a good indication. But I have some doubts here which, although might have been brought up already, still give rise to some confusion. So I would like to bring them up for clarification.

I think that in planning for the SEAP Games, the National Sports Promotion Board and the Singapore National Olympic Council seem to have some confusion over each other's duties and responsibilities. As we understand it, the NSPB is the official body for the promotion of sports and is responsible for the implementation of the policy of Government, for example, in respect of financing sports, provision of facilities for the various games, and in the welfare of sportsmen and budgetting. All these are the responsibilities of the NSPB. I think it should not directly control or intervene in the activities of the various sports associations.

The SNOC, however, consists of members from various sports associations. Each member is responsible for the membership of his own sports association. That is why they should play their part in the Council. Members of the SNOC should be asked by the NSPB to do something positive. They should not play a passive role. They should act under instructions. From what we can see, the various sports associations have been receiving certain questions and queries from the NSPB. But they did not know whom to refer to. And when there is a real problem to be solved, and they are given specific instructions and orders, all they could do is to pass the buck.

On the question of the Organising Committee of the Games, there is a so-called Executive Secretary and also a Secretary-General. What are the duties and responsibilities of these two posts? How do you differentiate the two posts? I hope the Minister concerned can give us a satisfactory reply.

The Minister for Social Affairs (Encik Othman Bin Wok): Mr Speaker, Sir, thank you very much for giving me a chance to speak at last.

First, let me tackle the Member for Sembawang. I use the word "tackle" in the context of sport. I will answer the Member in two parts, first on the NSPB, and then on the SEAP Games.

Since the establishment of the National Sports Promotion Board two years ago, it has been actively engaged in promoting sports at all levels and in supporting the various national sports organisations in realising new ideas and efforts in this field of expanding endeavour. The Board has already taken root and started promisingly in evolving a national sports programme through a network of sports councils, associations and clubs, as well as sports secretaries and convenors.

Since the last two years much has already been done to promote competitive international sports. But it must be recognised that it takes time and effort to raise the standard of performance of our sportsmen and teams to the level required to win honours in international competitions. The Board could, in fact, create an impact in terms of performance by putting all the means of the Republic at the disposal of a relatively small number of champion athletes and to attempt to achieve victories and medals by their prowess. Such an approach, I think, will bring immediate results. But in the long run it will not help to raise standards because of the lack of a broad base of sports talent, which can only be developed through systematic work and intense and dedicated training on the part of a large number of sportsmen and teams. It is indeed gratifying that this broad framework of participation in sports has already been established and no doubt, Sir, we will see better performance in sports in the near future.

3.30 p.m.

However, although the problem of developing standards of excellence is an important one, it is by no means the major objective in sports promotion. Our primary objective in the organisation of sports is not just to produce champions, but also to raise the general physical fitness of the population. The approach then is to encourage more people, particularly our youths, to take up sports seriously as it leads to improvement of the individual's body and mind, character and capacity, which is important for social peace and happiness, and for individual and national productivity and progress.

As for inter-constituency sports, Sir, which has been introduced recently by the Board, it has demonstrated very clearly the principle that sports activities, properly conceived and organised, can he promoted effectively at the constituency level. This represents a breakaway from the traditional concept of sports promotion whose major effort seems to be restricted to institutions like clubs and various community agencies. In the past year, the NSPB, although working under considerable strain of manpower and finance, has successfully implemented the following: the inter-constituency football tournament, which most of us here know; the inter-constituency basket-ball tournament; and, incidentally, the Grand Prix, which is being held every year with popular support; and the sports festival, Pesta Sukan. I think there is no need for me to elaborate because most of the Members of Parliament were present at the Grand Prix and other sports activities.

Sir, another thing which I would like to touch upon is the sports facilities. We are conscious of the shortage of facilities in Singapore, and we will therefore provide better facilities for the people of Singapore by improving most of our football fields, tennis courts, swimming pools, squash courts, football stadiums, athletic centres and so on. At the present moment, we believe we have the best maintained lot of facilities for Singaporeans. Altogether, Sir, we have at the moment 24 football fields, eight swimming pools, 36 tennis courts, five squash courts, two athletic centres, besides the Jalan Besar and the Kallang football stadia which are available to Singaporeans at very low rentals. Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks devolved upon the Board is the taking over of sports facilities from the former British bases. These facilities had to he renovated and improved upon, and a huge administrative machinery had to be established very quickly to make the facilities available for public use and to run them. The Board has also been given the responsibility of maintaining a large number of sports facilities run by other Government departments. All these put a heavy strain on the Board which has to maintain these facilities and run them on a non-profit making basis.

Sir, we have also produced a sports magazine. This was launched in October 1972. With this production, we have provided one more healthy magazine for our youths and sports lovers. Since its inception, the magazine has promoted sports consciousness, especially among our youths.

The other activities of the NSPB are to assist in all major international sports organised by the respective associations in Singapore. The Commercial Department sought many sponsorships, big and small, from the private sector for the respective associations. This included a sum of $38,000 for the Badminton Association to prepare them for the Thomas Cup tournament. The Research Department assisted in conducting three intensive courses in athletics, hockey and tennis. A comprehensive gymnasium for weight and power training was also provided for the first time for Singapore sportsmen. At the present moment, under the auspices of the Training and Research Department, approximately 250 sportsmen each day go through the mill. The Sports Medicine Department treated more than 600 national sportsmen, providing them with more than 4,500 treatments during the year. The Department also provided medical coverage for all international games.

Regarding expansion, Sir, one of the priorities of the NSPB is to promote "Sports for All" programmes in Singapore. It is our belief that in order to prevent social ills and to improve the health of our people, sports has a large part to play. Moreover, each and every Singaporean, including the Member for Sembawang, should have the opportunity to take part in whatever physical activities he may choose. The ingredients of a "Sports for All" programme are three-fold. Firstly, adequate facilities. I mentioned this just now, Sir, and it is our contention that Singapore, as I have said, has far too few public amenities for sports recreation. So urgent attention will be paid to the priority of establishing more facilities throughout the Republic. Secondly, improved organisation and promotion. The NSPB is at the moment looking into how we can encompass all sports activities from primary to tertiary levels into one national breed so that there will be planned activities for Singaporeans from cradle to grave. Thirdly, sports consciousness. This has not been given very much attention in the past. It is our intention that people should be educated into the belief that sports and recreation is good for them, good for their families, good for the community and good for the country.

Plans are afoot to further promote the ideal through the public media as well as through top level promotion of international sports. We also hope that the Board will be able in the near future to introduce a scheme of fitness and performance test which can be promoted throughout the Republic. It has also taken steps to ensure that training in all sports is carried out on a professional and scientific basis, and it is hoped that more professional personnel can be made available to ensure the success of the various training programmes.

Sir, I now come to the SEAP Games. After the Sixth SEAP Games which was held in Kuala Lumpur in December 1971, the Singapore National Olympic Council, in consultation with the National Sports Promotion Board, appointed the Organising Committee of the Seventh SEAP Games which is to be held in Singapore this year. This Committee is responsible to the SEAP Games Federation Council whose President is my colleague, Mr E. W. Barker. Like the Olympic Council, it is an autonomous organisation. It does not conic under Government or commercial control, but enjoys assistance from both. On 19th May, 1972, the Organising Committee met for the first time and since then, the 12 Sub-Committees looking after accommodation, ceremonies, decorations, souvenirs, finance, medical facilities, press and public relations, programmes, technical facilities, protocol, reception and liaison, security and traffic, social and catering, and transport, have had several meetings and they have made very satisfactory progress in staging the Games from the 1st to the 8th September. Arrangements have been made to house approximately 1,500 participants from the seven SEAP countries, namely Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, in four 4-point blocks in the Games Village, which will be at Toa Payoh. The flats are expected to be ready in July this year, and the Singapore teams may make use of them from the 1st of August for their centralised training or final phase of training in preparation for the Games. Foreign teams are expected at the Games Village on 30th August. The SEAP Secretariat, which is now housed in Sports House, will also move to the Games Village in August. Besides the shopping complex, which already exists in Toa Payoh, there will also be postal, telegraphic and banking facilities in the Games Village.

Sir, I am pleased to inform the House that the President of the Republic of Singapore will officiate at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Seventh SEAP Games. An elaborate and colourful programme is being planned for these two ceremonies where school children will give mass dance and band displays. The bands from the Armed Forces, Police, and People's Association will also be in attendance. 5,000 members of our Vigilante Corps will also put on a "flash card" display. There will also be the flame lighting ceremony which will be held at Mount Faber and the SEAP Torch will be carried by our outstanding sportsmen to the National Stadium for the opening ceremony.

Participants from the seven SEAP countries will participate in 16 sports disciplines. Athletics, football and lawn tennis will be held at the National Stadium; badminton, boxing and sepak takraw at the Singapore Badminton Hall; basket-ball at Gay World; cycling at Farrer Park Athletic Centre; hockey at Jalan Besar Stadium; judo at Chung Cheng High School; shooting at Mount Vernon and Rifle Range Road Ranges; swimming, water polo and diving at the new Toa Payoh swimming pool, which will be ready by July; table tennis at the National Junior College; volley ball at Chung Hwa Girls' High School; weight-lifting at the People's Theatre; and yachting in Katong, off Nallur Road.

The construction of the National Stadium is expected to be ready by June, and all other venues will be brought up to international standards for the hosting of the Games. Arrangements will also he made to provide first-aid facilities at all Games venues. A medical centre will also be set up at the Games Village, and we will also purchase equipment to perform dope and sex tests. All participants and officials will be provided with official transport and buses or cars for practices, games and official functions. They will be provided with polaroid identification tags to enable them to travel free of charge on any of the public transport buses for the duration of the Games. Special buses for the public will also operate to as many of the Games venues as possible. The Transport Sub-Committee is also looking into the possibility of providing a launch service from Clifford Pier to the National Stadium Complex.

Besides programmes for the various sports disciplines, which will be published, the Organising Committee will also produce daily result sheets and a souvenir handbook. All results of games will be channelled to the National Stadium for computerisation. The National Stadium will also be the official press centre for the Games and from there telegraphic and telex facilities will also be available.

Sir, with regard to publicity for the Games, 25 different articles have appeared in local newspapers concerning the SEAP Games in Singapore. Besides this, the Organising Committee has produced two colourful posters. These have been distributed to all primary and secondary schools in Singapore, Government Ministries, and the Olympic Committees of all the SEAP countries. More advertising of the Games is expected from May onwards. Radio and Television Singapore will give at least an hour's programme for each sports discipline. The commercial firms involved in the Games will also help to publicise. Souvenir coins and commemorative stamps will also be on sale before the Games.

3.45 p.m.

Advertising, Sir, is a very expensive business, and we shall cut our coat according to the cloth. If possible, the Organising Committee will try to produce a film on the Games. If there has been little publicity thus far, the only excuse is lack of finance.

The Member for Anson has raised certain queries. First, may I thank him for his good words about the National Sports Promotion Board. As to his being perturbed about how the standards of our sportsmen compare internationally, I can assure him that there is no reason for him to be ashamed of Singapore's performance in sports. With a small population of only over two million and the lack of sufficient facilities, and the lack of space among other things, we have not fared badly in international competitions. There are games in which other countries have done better than us but there are games in which we shine. However, we do admit that with proper organisation, training and incentive, we can certainly raise the standard of Singapore in the international sporting world. But this will necessarily take time. Surely you cannot produce sportsmen or super-sportsmen in a day! One of the ways of going about the sports problem is to acquire a broad base of sportsmen and sportswomen from which to select. In doing this, we will also achieve the dual object in that we would at the same time be enhancing the physical health and ruggedness of our youths at all levels from primary schools to tertiary institutions.

I agree with the Member that if sports were to flourish there is a need for sportsmen and sportswomen to be given adequate incentives for participation. In Western societies, one or two incentives are provided in one way or the other. In the East European countries, the states provide incentives in the form of living allowances, housing, and trips abroad. In our case, sportsmen are given some incentives as follows: unrecorded leave, especially for Government employees, to enable them to participate in the national teams (unrecorded leave up to a maximum of ten days for coaches, referees and players, to be taken up with the Ministry of Finance); subsidised centralised training for most sports and nominal allowance for transport and nutrition for the SEAP Games trainees; free medical service for all national sportsmen; provision of scholarships for outstanding sportsmen who are students, and grants of credits by the Ministry of Education for pupils with extra-curricular activities in schools.

The National Sports Promotion Board has been studying the situation further and realises that the present incentives are still inadequate. Some of the possible incentives which are being looked into are: a scholarship scheme for all national sportsmen; free training of national sportsmen for specific careers under the guidance of the Sportsmen Welfare Council; free nutrition for all national sportsmen and free transport facilities in connection with sports.

It is indeed timely that the Member for Anson has touched on the question of discipline of sportsmen. We instil in our sportsmen the ideals of dedication, integrity and loyalty as well as the need for proper sportsmanship. By comparison with other countries, it cannot be said that our sportsmen and sportswomen lack these qualities. However, it is admitted that there are occasionally a few black sheep who stray away from the straight and narrow path. The incident mentioned by the Member was one of those rare instances, and the organisation concerned had not hesitated to take drastic measures to prevent a recurrence of such a situation.

The Member also wants to know if, in addition to soccer and basket-ball, it is intended to organise competitions of this nature for all other sports activities. The answer is that this is the ultimate aim. We have started with soccer and basket-ball. This year badminton, sepak takraw and table tennis will be added. Other games will be added in the years to come.

Let me now deal with the Member for River Valley, Sir. He has made some very good observations and I am very glad that he has chosen to speak strongly on the inadequacies of the National Sports Promotion Board. His timely comment is welcomed but it is obvious that he is unaware of the background concerning sports promotion in general, and the work of the Board, in particular. It is agreed that the NSPB should promote all forms of sports in the Republic. But I must make it clear that even this general philosophy must be modified to suit the situation obtaining in Singapore. Firstly, facilities and funds at present are still very limited. Secondly, people in Singapore have a predilection for certain sports and games. Thirdly, the Member is no doubt aware that there are certain sports and games which we are not at a physical disadvantage as compared to others. In this regard there are opposing views to those expressed by the Member: that the approach to sports to attain standards of excellence should be on a selection basis. In the Singapore situation, we have not really adopted such a selective approach. We have, in fact, adhered very closely to the principle of promoting all sports in the Republic, although the results achieved and the publicity received by them will depend very much on the effectiveness of the organisations responsible.

It is certainly untrue to say that the NSPB has been promoting only one or two sports, particularly soccer. For the information of the House, the Pesta Sukan in 1971 and 1972 had over 30 different, sports with competitive programmes. The NSPB has also assisted in the organisation of the Asian Cycling Championship and the Pan-Pacific Karate Championship and other international sports events, including the Grand Prix in Singapore. The impression that soccer is receiving a lot of attention from the NSPB partly springs from the fact that it is one of the few games which have been introduced into the inter-constituency sports and partly because of its popularity with the sporting public in Singapore. Football is internationally a major sport. We cannot deny that, and the need for it to be revived and promoted from its position in the doldrums two years ago was obvious. The NSPB was asked to take over the administration of football in a caretaker-capacity by the Football Association of Singapore, and the Board very reluctantly accepted this responsibility because of the critical need in July 1971. The intention was that the Board would do this for two to three years to set the right plans and finances for bringing football to a proper level in Singapore over the period.

The House may be pleased to know that the standard of soccer has gone up many times over since the NSPB became involved in its promotion. The national team is now ranked in the middle order of the All-Asian national teams. It is hoped that in the foreseeable future, the Republic can emerge as one of the leading teams in Asia. It is also noticeable that more and more people now go to the Jalan Besar stadium to watch the performance of our national team. Despite this achievement, there is still much to be done.

I would also like to correct the erroneous impression the Member had concerning the match between the Football Association President's Eleven and a Japanese club team. It is incorrect for the Member to say that a few paying spectators were requested just before the match to represent Singapore in this match. To put the facts right, the House may wish to know that the national team was not involved in this match. Three of the players were invited to play for the Football Association President's Eleven, and they were from the Farrer Park team, which was the inter-constituency champion. They were not paying spectators in any sense of the word.

On overseas trips for the soccer team, it is true that the team did make eight trips overseas during the past year. But this was in accordance with the Asian football calendar. All expenses involved in travel were borne by the host nation which invited us. The NSPB did not put in a single cent. As for the King's Cup tournament in Thailand, it is again regretted that the Member was misinformed. Only six officials accompanied the team. Four of them, namely the manager, the assistant manager, the coach and the referee, were invited by Thailand, according to the tournament regulations. It is therefore untrue to say that the NSPB paid for the expenses of five of the officials. In fact, the NSPB, as I have said just now, is not financially involved at all with the project. The entire expenses for these officials and the 17 players were borne by the Thai Football Association. Except for two officials whose expenses were paid by the FAS, the entire expenses for the other officials and players were borne by the Thai Football Association. The Member should also note that it is the FAS, and not the NSPB, which is planning a tour of Australia and New Zealand later this year for the soccer team, provided it does reasonably well in the coming SEAP Games. I feel that this is an excellent incentive, and most sports organisations should try to provide similar incentives to their participants and endeavour to raise funds to give Singapore's sportsmen the needed experience in competition.

Regarding the Member's question as to how much money the NSPB had spent in promoting soccer as compared to other sports, I wish to inform the House that a sum of $24,500 was spent by the Board during the past year. Of this amount, $18,000 was spent on the organisation of inter-constituency football tournaments which is a worthwhile project and one that helps to launch the inter-constituency sports, which will be the framework for the promotion of sporting activities among the people at grass-root level. Of the remaining amount, $5,000 was given to the FAS for organising the Pesta Sukan Football Tournament. The amount allotted to football was not unduly high in view of the popularity of the game. The Board allotted $25,980 for basketball, $53,907 for cycling, $20,645 for tennis, $14,500 for school sports, $20,358 for motor sports, $13,475 approximately for athletics and $11,510 for badminton. Apart from these, 21 other sports, from billiard to Chinese chess, also received certain allocations in varying amounts, depending of course on their financial position and their needs and activities.

4.00 p.m.

The Sports Medicine Unit of the NSPB was launched in June 1971. The Board has accepted plans for development which are as follows:

Stage 1 - an outpatient clinic to take care of the national sportsmen;

Stage 2 - a physiotherapy clinic to aid the treatment of patients;

Stage 3 - the provision of ancillary facilities, such as laboratories and surgical facilities;

Stage 4 - a centre for research into human performance.

This format is originated because each stage will cost increasing sums of money. Up to-date, stages 1 and 2 are in progress. The department is limited to a staff of two - one doctor and one physiotherapist. The medical officer is also appointed by the Board to be the assistant director in charge of promotion, research, training, commercial development and publications. A total of $42,893 has been spent on equipment for the treatment of patients. Because of the lack of equipment and manpower, the primary purpose of the Unit is to provide medical care for our national sportsmen. It is not possible to launch into sophisticated research on physical performances until more staff and equipment can be acquired. In the year 1972, as I said at the beginning of my reply, more than 600 national sportsmen were treated and 4,500 treatments, were prescribed and carried out. This does not take into consideration the number of patients treated during the Pesta Sukan and other international games.

A research project is under-way to determine the trend of sports injuries in Singapore, and it is hoped that with added support from the Government, the Unit will in future be able to do more intensive physiological research to assist coaches and sportsmen. During the two years of existence, the NSPB has found great difficulty in finding senior personnel of the right calibre to run both the Sports Medicine and the Research, Planning and Training units. Due to this, the present incumbent who is, in fact, the only specialist in sports medicine in Singapore is found to be the most suitable person to run both these units. This is considered to be an ideal arrangement which, besides fitting in with the requirements of the National Sports Promotion Board, will also cut down expenditure.

I would like to deal with the subject of inter-constituency sports in age group competitions. I feel that the Board has achieved much in inter-constituency sports which has been introduced for the first time in Singapore. From all points of view, the football and basket-ball tournaments have been a great success. The Board is considering the implementation of age group competition to be incorporated into the concept of inter-constituency sports. The reasons are many, and some of the pertinent ones are as follows.

Age group competition held in conjunction with inter-constituency sports will bring about social integration. One of the shortcomings of our urban society today is the wall which some of us built among ourselves. These artificial social walls can be broken if children and parents are all involved in sports and games as a community endeavour. ]t is important that the youths of Singapore should directly identify themselves with the activities within their own constituencies. They must develop a sense of identification and attachment towards their constituency. Through the age group competition, it may be possible to bring about a situation in which people of all ages can mingle on common ground and engage in meaningful sports activities. Parents can play alongside their children. In this way, more parents will take an interest in the activities of their children. From past experience, we feel that the standard of sports is likely to improve if the youths of our country are given added incentives and added opportunities outside the school environment. I am sure the Member for River Valley will agree with me that his prowess in water polo goalkeeping was developed in a Pasir Panjang club rather than direct training received from his school. This argument holds true for the majority of our top sportsmen in Singapore.

In order to allay the fears of the Member that school children will be taxed beyond their capacity and that there will be a duplication of activities, I wish to assure him that future planning for age group competitions will be organised in close liaison with the Ministry of Education for the implementation of a scheme which will benefit the schools as well as the constituency sports organisation. My Ministry has already taken note of the difficulties and reservations expressed by a number of Members in regard to the lack of organisational capacity in their constituencies in launching this project. And my Ministry has since reviewed the position and has decided that age group competition at inter-constituency level will be implemented at a later stage, taking cognizance of the readiness of the various constituencies in participating meaningfully in this worthwhile project.

As regards the administration of the NSPB, it is premature to prejudge its performance, since it is only two years old. The staff of the NSPB has worked under terrific pressure and handicap owing to the lack of adequate manpower and finance. I need say nothing more about this organisation than that its officials have shown tremendous dedication and initiative in their work.

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank the Minister for Social Affairs for clearing away some of my erroneous statements. But I would like to comment, in particular, on the football incident. As I said, I read in the newspapers about this incident and I would have thought that the person in charge of the FAS, who is also an official of the NSPB, should have, without any hesitation, clarified this point straightaway in the press. I keep saying that I read it in the newspapers.

In fact, the sporting public has read about this incident and came to the conclusion as was reported in the newspapers. May I suggest that the NSPB or the FAS should correct this erroneous statement in the press immediately.

I would also like to take this opportunity of making a suggestion on the publicity for the SEAP Games. My personal view is that up to now the publicity is extremely limited. One only sees the SEAP Games advertisement on the back of buses of one bus company out of the three bus companies, and also stickers on some official cars. Since so much effort has been put in by the various sub-committees to make the Games a success, may I suggest that without due and forceful publicity, the Games may not be a success. Perhaps the SIA, like other international airlines elsewhere when organising international games, can publicise the Games by flying the SEAP Games flag on its daily flights as part of its campaign to attract more tourists.

I would also like to suggest that it is not the intention of our exercise here to criticise unfairly the administration of the NSPB. I share the view that the NSPB officials may be under undue strain and pressure. Sir, to give you a simple illustration, the very fact that one medical officer is made to take charge of two units is burdensome. On top of that, putting him in charge of promotion, research, training and so on, is, I think, humanly impossible. There have been a few complaints from sportsmen to the effect that, on arriving at the medical unit, they asked for the medical officer and were told that he was entertaining or that he was showing somebody around. For the good and efficient functioning of the Sports Medicine Unit, and since the Minister has correctly stated that the medical officer is the only specialist on sports medicine, then he should be strictly confined to this area of work.

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, all the three suggestions of the Member have been noted. The first suggestion has been rectified by my clarification. The second suggestion is being handled by the publicity subcommittee, and I am sure they will get in touch with SIA, to look into the details of the publicity. On the third suggestion, as I have said, it is so difficult to get a person to take charge of the various posts. At the present moment, the medical officer is put in charge of the various posts, as a temporary measure. Later on, when we find a suitable person, the medical officer will then be relieved of his other duties.

Sir, may I now deal with the queries raised by the Member for Kampung Kembangan. The Member has expressed the need for more facilities for sportsmen in the State. As I have said, we are aware of this. For his information, Sir, on the completion of the National Sports Complex at Kallang, which is quite close to Geylang and Kampung Kembangan, swimming pools and other facilities will be made available to the people, including those from his constituency. Furthermore, the Housing and Development Board is planning to build a swimming pool in the Katong area in future, and this will be an additional facility which the people in his constituency can enjoy. However, it is the intention of my Ministry, in conjunction with the Ministries of National Development and Education, the Planning Department and the NSPB, to look into the overall requirements of sports facilities in Singapore in the near future.

4.15 p.m.

As regards the use of school facilities for constituency sports, my Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Education to see what further arrangements can be made for school facilities to be used for this purpose. However, it must be recognised that there are certain limitations because of the afternoon sessions in most schools, which go on into the evening. In this regard, the Ministry of Education has been most accommodating in allowing many school facilities to be used by the constituencies on request. However, it is to be appreciated that the school facilities are now very extensively used by the schools themselves. Therefore, it is sometimes difficult to share such facilities since priority must be given to school sports activities. The Member can rest assured that there is close liaison between the Ministries of Education and Social Affairs and the NSPB on this matter.

Many countries concerned with the promotion of sports for their entire population invariably provide large amounts of funds for the provision of primary facilities which determine the success or failure of sports programmes and activities. It is no surprise therefore that in Singapore the top three teams in the inter-constituency football tournament came from Farrer Park, Pasir Panjang and Sembawang, where more facilities are available. The Government's involvement in sports promotion must be seen in relation to its overall effort in nation building, since in many ways physical fitness and sports contribute to national wealth and economic and material output. In some countries, as much as 4 per cent of the national budget is put aside for sports promotion. East Germany is said to have spent about $900 million over the past four years to make the country more sports conscious and better equipped with sports facilities as a preparation for the Munich Games, and the results spoke for themselves. West Germany, which has a 15-year Golden Plan starting in 1960, now spends about $1,700 million a year in public expenditure on only primary and secondary community sports facilities. This works out to over $40 per capita. In addition, substantial amounts of money are provided for the promotion of leisure and competitive sports in sports clubs throughout the federal and provincial states.

The need for more financial resources for the promotion of sports in Singapore is therefore obvious. I would like to urge that a certain percentage of the national budget be allocated for sports promotion and for the development of primary and secondary facilities for public leisure and competitive sports. However, despite the present inadequacy of sports facilities at constituency level, the implementation of the inter-constituency sports project could be carried out still further with imaginative planning and close liaison with school authorities.

The other Members have also raised many queries which are somewhat similar to those which I have already explained, and I hope they are satisfied with what I have said.

Dr Ong Leong Boon: Sir, can I get an assurance from the Minister that he will look into my suggestion that SIA allows concession rates, say 50 per cent, for our top athletes going overseas for international sports meets?

Encik Othman Bin Wok: I am not in charge of SIA, but I will raise the matter with those who are in charge.

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister said in his reply that in order to encourage players and representatives to represent the national teams in competitions, permission will be granted to them to take unrecorded leave for training in such activities. I wonder whether the Minister concerned is aware that there are some national players who work in Singapore Pools (Pte) Ltd. When the national team requires these people to take part in centralised training in preparation for competitions, their applications to the company for permission to leave the office one hour earlier were turned down without any consideration. If a Government-owned company can adopt an attitude like this, how can we expect other companies in the private sector to co-operate by giving unrecorded leave or time off for the promotion of sports?

Encik Othman Bin Wok: I am afraid I am not aware of this, Sir, but if the Member could bring up such cases to me, I will certainly take action.

I have just been informed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture, who is also the President of the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association, that SIA is already allowing 50 per cent concession through NSPB to national teams participating in competitions abroad.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has given a very detailed and clear answer to the queries. He has taken, I think, about one hour to answer all of them. I understand a lot of what he has said, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Tay Boon Too -

(2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1005.

Mr Tay Boon Too (Paya Lebar): (In Mandarin): I am not moving, Sir.

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by the whole sum in respect of subhead 1141.

Sir, I would just like to know what progress has been made by the Muslim Religious Council with regard to special chartered flights to Mecca, and the establishment of the Pilgrimage Fund for prospective pilgrims in Singapore. In his reply to my queries last year the Minister said, and I quote Hansard, Vol. 31, col. 939:

`I would like to thank the Member for Kampung Kembangan for his interest and concern over the projects that he mentioned, which the Majlis Ugama Islam is actively considering. The Majlis' plan is, of course, intended to help Muslims in their pilgrimage to Mecca.'

But, Sir, up to-date the Muslim Religious Council has made no progress with regard to both projects. I read a statement in the press made by the former President of the Muslim Religious Council that the plan for chartered flights had to be cancelled because there was no response from prospective pilgrims. I am ashamed that a statutory body of the Government could not carry out the plan, whereas pilgrim brokers had succeeded in organising special chartered flights for prospective pilgrims in Singapore. Although these pilgrim brokers had succeeded in organising chartered flights to Mecca, I am of the opinion that the question of the welfare of the pilgrims in Singapore with regard to their trips, whether by sea or air, is the responsibility of the Muslim Religious Council of Singapore because it is the body which is supposed to be in charge of the interest and the welfare of the Muslims in Singapore.

Secondly, there are two or three pilgrim brokers who organise these special chartered flights and they exploit the prospective pilgrims for their own interest. I have received many complaints from prospective pilgrims on all kinds of exploitation by these brokers. I quote the Minister again [Hansard Vol. 31, col. 940]:

`The Member will be pleased to know that the arrangement for pilgrimage through the establishment of Tabong Haji or the Pilgrimage Fund will include the provision of welfare and health facilities for pilgrims during their sojourn in Mecca, Medina and Jeddah. The Pilgrimage Committee is considering the provision of medical facilities, including the services of a doctor and a nurse for the pilgrims when they are in Mecca. The provision of a welfare officer to look into the welfare aspects of the pilgrims and the services of a reputable pilgrim broker, and matters such as the offering of special gifts and life insurance, etc., are also being looked into.'

But to-date, both projects have not been heard of. I am still hoping that the two projects will be implemented. If not, next year I will again raise this matter and will continue to do so until the two projects are implemented.

Encik Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj (Geylang Serai): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I want to seek clarification from the Minister for Social Affairs with regard to the task and responsibilities of the Muslim Religious Council and with regard to the welfare of Muslims in the Republic.

As we know, the Muslim Religious Council was set up to take charge of the welfare of Singaporeans who are Muslims, but I regret to note that this Council has not performed its function well, especially with regard to the management of religious schools in Singapore. The Muslim Religious Council has not yet taken over the responsibility of giving assistance to these religious schools. Some of these religious schools are not run properly because they are faced with all sorts of problems. The syllabuses are not properly planned and are different, because between one religious school and another, they teach different subjects. Since the Council has taken over the management of many mosques in Singapore, surely it can do the same for the religious schools. I understand that with regard to mosques there are no difficulties because the premises are well constructed. But in the case of religious schools, the condition of the building is in a sorry state. So also with the syllabuses used by the religious schools.

4.30 p.m.

If the Muslim Religious Council allows this situation to continue and is keeping quiet about it, and does not make any effort to correct it, then its standing in the community will be affected. Muslims in Singapore will also lose confidence in it. Muslim organisations in Singapore, such as the All-Malaya Muslim Missionary Society, can he considered to be more active than the Muslim Religious Council itself. The tithes collected are supposed to be used by the Council for the welfare of the Muslims in Singapore, whereas the honoraria of the Council staff are paid by the Government. Therefore, the Muslim Religious Council should find it easier to run its activities than the Muslim organisations. However, it is regrettable to note that the Muslim Religious Council has failed in many of its functions. The Muslim voluntary organisations in Singapore have instead done better.

The Member for Kampung Kembangan talked about the pilgrims just now. The failure of the Muslim Religious Council to arrange chartered flights for pilgrims to Mecca in the previous year is something which cannot be denied. This is proof of its weakness because it was not prepared to make concerted efforts. It was only prepared to stand still and watch. The Muslim Religious Council should make more efforts in this respect and should not keep quiet about this matter. Even the rice on the plate will not satisfy the stomach if it is not fed to the person. The Muslim Religious Council should have organised chartered flights for prospective pilgrims to Mecca. The PKMS (United Malay Organisation, Singapore), which is a Malay political party in Singapore, has also looked into this matter. The Minister concerned should ask the Muslim Religious Council to do its part for the Muslims in Singapore.

Coming back to Muslim religious schools, they are very important because they can give religious instruction to our children. If the Muslim Religious Council also failed to make efforts in this field, people will go to the mosque in reduced numbers. Religious instruction is very important. Therefore, the syllabus for religious instruction in schools must be improved. It is the responsibility of the Council to see that this is being done. The tithes collected from Muslims can be used for religious purposes in the Republic, but the money should not be misused to the extent that children studying in the religious schools are looked upon as step-children by this Council. I know that the tithes collected are only used to provide scholarships for students. But can the Minister inform this House as to how much money has been spent on scholarships for religious students?

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member for Kampung Kembangan may wish to know that the Majlis Ugama Islam has been actively considering the implementation of a scheme for Haji air flights to assist local Muslim pilgrims to go to Jeddah. Unfortunately, there is no provision in the Administration of Muslim Law Act to empower the Majlis to operate such a scheme. The Majlis has also considered the formation of a co-operative for this purpose, and it has carried out a survey among local Muslim pilgrims to find out if they would respond to special arrangements for chartered flights. But the call of the Majlis for registration met with poor response. It appears that the present arrangements made by travel agencies are preferred by these local Muslim pilgrims. These agencies handled 12 such flights from Singapore in 1971 with 827 passengers, and 13 flights in 1972 with 492 passengers.

As regards complaints about the treatment accorded to our pilgrims during their stay in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, since the arrangements overseas are not handled by Singapore, there is not much that we can do except to request the foreign authorities responsible for the pilgrimage to improve their services. As I understand it, the Shaik Hajis, or agents who take charge of the pilgrims in Mecca, have a very important role to play in the welfare of the pilgrims. They are paid for their services and the standard of the services is dependent upon the number of pilgrims each Shaik Hajis looks after. This means that the smaller the number, the better the standard of the services rendered. We have no control over these Shaik Hajis in Mecca. It is entirely left to the pilgrims themselves to select their own Shaik Hajis.

As regards the queries raised by the Member for Geylang Serai, I regret to inform him, Sir, that the Majlis is not ready yet to take over the management of all religious schools in Singapore, as it lacks the necessary staff to do this. However, a sub-committee, with the Mufti as chairman, has already been formed and is charged with the responsibility of standardising syllabuses for religious instruction. This sub-committee has been functioning for over five months now, and I understand that significant progress has been made. It is anticipated that the revision of the curriculum for the primary levels will be completed by next year. The sub-committee will also be looking into ways and means to improve the standard of teaching by religious teachers. In this regard, the hon. Member may wish to know that the Majlis will soon be conducting special refresher training courses for religious teachers.

With regard to scholarships, Sir, the allocation for 1973 is as follows: - No. of Value Total Awards Per Value Award Awards Higher School Certificate 50 $300 $15,000 Institutions of Higher Learning 24 $500 $12,000 (other than Universities) Universities 42 $800 $33,600 --- ------- Total: 116 $60,600 === ======= Last year, the number of scholarships awarded for local studies was 104, and the number awarded for overseas studies was 22. Of these 126 scholarships awarded, 30 were for religious studies. The Majlis gives equal consideration to applicants who wish to pursue religious education as well as to those who wish to study science and technical subjects.

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not suggesting that the Majlis Ugama Islam asks an airline company to look after the pilgrims. What I said was that the Majlis should assist local pilgrims who wish to proceed to Mecca by making arrangements for special chartered flights. The Minister has said that there is no provision in the Administration of Muslim Law Act. Nevertheless, Sir, there exists a Pilgrimage Department which looks after and assists the local pilgrims who travel by sea. If this Department can render assistance to local pilgrims who travel by sea, I do not see any reason why this Department cannot render assistance to local pilgrims who wish to go to Mecca by air.

The Minister has said earlier that Muslims who wish to proceed to Mecca prefer the existing arrangements made by travel agents for their chartered flights. I think this is not true because many Muslim pilgrims prefer these chartered flights to he organised by the Majlis Ugama Islam on the grounds that with their assistance, matters relating to their pilgrimage to Mecca can be smoothly implemented.

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Sir, the Majlis has done its very best to get these pilgrims registered for arrangements to fly them to Mecca. But, as I said, the response has been very poor. We did everything we could and it appeared that they preferred the Shaik Hajis to handle everything for them, instead of the Majlis Ugama Islam. However, we will still try again next year.

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

Amendment by leave, withdrawn.

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 5.15 p.m.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 4.41 p.m. until 5.15 p.m. Sitting resumed at 5.15 p.m.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Debate in Committee of Supply resumed.

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Head 1001 (contd.)-

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1171.

Sir, the Legal Aid Bureau was set up to help the great number of labouring class of workers in legal matters so that they will get a fair deal. Recently I received a number of complaints about the way the Legal Aid Bureau has been dealing with their affairs. The Bureau seems to be very slow in the conduct of its affairs. It sometimes takes as long as six months to a year before any matter can be dealt with completely. Why is this the case? Is it because of the short-age of legal officers? If this is so, then it should employ more legal officers. Or is it because of the inefficiency of the Bureau? I hope the Minister will investigate the matter and take immediate measures to remedy the situation.

I would also like to ask the Minister how many cases were dealt with by the Legal Aid Bureau in 1972.

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1972 the number of applicants for legal aid and advice was 3,745. In effect, the actual number of cases handled by the Legal Aid Bureau is much higher, in view of the fact that many cases have to be followed up in the succeeding year. Normally each case takes a period of time to be completed. There are many reasons for this, since it takes time for the Bureau to obtain the relevant evidence from the applicant and to obtain replies from the opposing parties who often do not give prompt replies. These cases also take time in view of the need to obtain reports, notes of evidence, and so on, from the various departments. For legal cases which are complicated, more time is required in view of the involved court proceedings.

The Bureau is doing its best to deal with the cases as quickly as possible. T am quite satisfied that there has been no undue delay on the part of the Legal Aid Bureau in handling the cases. I am also aware that the case-load is mounting, and I shall not hesitate to recommend the necessary expansion and increase of staff to meet the needs of the Bureau, when the time comes for this to be done. But for the moment the Bureau is able to cope with its commitment and is functioning smoothly.

Mr Hwang Soo Jin (Jalan Kayu): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I be permitted to make some observations with regard to the work of the Legal Aid Bureau? I have no doubt that the Bureau is rendering an excellent service. However, I have similarly received complaints of delay on the part of the Bureau. Quite apart from the shortage of personnel, I suspect that the delay might well be due to language, because the majority of the people who seek the help of the Legal Aid Bureau are non-English speaking. In fact, I know of one parti- cular case where the petitioner won the case but under peculiar circumstances. Somehow it seemed to him that it would be to his advantage to make a plea on certain grounds. However, the position of the case was not clearly explained to him, and he came grumbling to me. I am just wondering whether the provision of interpreters could be made to relieve the situation, because most of these people speak their own dialects and not English.

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Sir, we have staff who understand all the various languages. I do not think that language difficulty is one of the reasons for the delay in settling cases.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister has given a detailed reply. He has promised to take the necessary measures to improve the efficiency of the Bureau, and I therefore 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 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1261.

Sir, I understand that the Singapore Government Officers' Co-operative Housing Society is in trouble. Most of its members have resigned, but they have not been able to withdraw their deposits. Some of those members who have bought houses through the Housing Society wish to make a full settlement of their housing loans, but the Society cannot accept it. Can the Minister look into the matter and find a solution or rectify the situation?

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Sir, the Government is aware of the difficulties of the Singapore Government Officers' Cooperative Housing Society. The spate of resignations from members of the Society was sparked off by the hitch in launching the proposed Changi Co-operative Garden housing project.

Although the Society had refunded deposits and shares to a number of members who had resigned, it still has not been able to refund to the other resigning members who were clamouring for a refund of their money. In fact, the Society is in need of liquid cash to the tune of $1,150,000 to discharge its financial obligation to the resigning members. However, the Society has some valuable properties but it is reluctant to sell them at this stage to meet these financial obligations. The matter is now receiving the attention of the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, and it is hoped that it will be put right in the near future. For a start, certain officials of the Society have been changed, and plans have been made for high calibre civil servants to be involved in the management of the Society. The Society is now already working under the guidance of the Registrar. There is, therefore, no necessity for the Government to take over the running of the Society.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, in view of the explanation of the Minister, I beg leave to withdraw.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The Chairman: Amendment (6)*. Dr Tan Eng Liang has spoken. Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff is not here.

Amendment (7). Mr Ng Kah Ting is not here. Amendment (8), Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon.

• The amendments stood on the Order Paper Supplement as follows:

Dr Tan Eng Liang (see cols. 817-20):

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi: (6) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2027. The amendments stood on the Order Paper Supplement as follows:

Dr Tan Eng Liang (see cols. 817-20):

Mr Ng Kah Ting: (7) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2028. The amendments stood on the Order Paper Supplement as follows:

Dr Tan Eng Liang (see cols. 817-20):

Mr Ng Kah Ting:

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon: (8) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2029.

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head 1001 he reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 2029.

Sir, from what the Minister has told us earlier, we learn that for the coming SEAP Games, a number of existing sports venues, in addition to the National Snorts Stadium, will be utilised for the various games. The facilities in these other sports venues are not up to standard, and I would like to ask whether the Government is going to improve these facilities. Moreover, if a sports venue is privately-owned, is it the responsibility of the owner to improve the facilities there?

And what about safety measures and security measures? Will they also be considered by the Government? About two years ago, during a basket-bail tournament at the Gay World Stadium, a fan dropped from the ceiling and its wiring hit the steel pillar and caused electric sparks. In another incident, the match was so exciting that it nearly caused a riot, and the doors of the entrances were forcibly broken. I am therefore quite concerned about the security measures and safety measures at these various privately-owned venues. I would like the Minister to give consideration to this matter.

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is true that venues, other than those under the management of the National Sports Promotion Board, will be used for the SEAP Games. This includes private venues as, for example, the Gay World stadium. We have put up an estimate for financial allocation to renovate the stadium. It will cost the Singapore National Olympic Council about $51,250 to improve the lighting, painting and decoration, improvement of toilets, and so on. We will certainly give consideration to the safety and security measures. There is a sub-committee looking into this matter, as I have said earlier.

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

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $8,472,010 for Head 1001 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

The slim of $1,100,000 for Head 1001 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

Head 1002 -

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head 1002 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001*. (*The same amendment also stood in the names of Messrs Sim Boon Woo and P. Govindaswamy.)

Sir, the Government has all along been paying adequate attention to the welfare of the poor people. We have allocated millions of dollars every year in the form of welfare aid for the aged and the destitute to ensure that they are able to keep body and soul together in a comfortable way. All these are very good measures and worthy of our comment.

5.30 p.m.

But recently I have received complaints from certain quarters that in the administration of the public assistance scheme, applications have not been processed quickly enough. I hope the Minister will look into this matter to improve its administration.

The next complaint is on the necessity for the recipients to queue up for the collection of public assistance allowances every month. The recipients have to wait for a very long time for their money as the queue is very long. This is because there is only one centre for the payment of public assistance allowances. I think some administrative improvement can be made, and I hope the Minister will take steps to remedy the situation.

Next, I would like to ask the Minister how many public assistance recipients were on the register last year and what was the total amount paid out?

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Mr Speaker, Sir, there is a complaint that the food provided in the Homes for the Aged is not palatable. Is it possible to improve the quality of food so that when the aged inmates finally go to the happy hunting ground they would at least be satisfied with the quality of the food provided?

The cost of living has risen in Singapore. May I ask how much pocket money is being given to the old people in the Homes? Is there any provision made for an increase in pocket money for these people?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr Chan Chee Seng): Mr Speaker, Sir, the system of payment of public assistance allowance has already been vastly improved and there should not, under normal circumstances, be any queueing up by the public assistance recipients to receive their allowances, nor should there be any prolonged waiting time.

There are at present 7,474 households on public assistance. Payments of public assistance allowances to the heads of these households are and can be made at payment centres nearest their homes for the convenience of the recipients. Places where public assistance allowances are paid to the recipients include the Public Assistance Section Head Office at Havelock Road, its branch offices at Joo Chiat and Bukit Panjang, four community centres and 39 post offices all over Singapore. Furthermore, outdoor payment teams of the Public Assistance Section of the Social Welfare Department make regular calls to pay those recipients at some of the islands around Singapore, in hospitals, Institutions, Homes and even at the private residence of those recipients who, due to their immobility, are not able to report to the nearest payment centre to collect their allowances.

With these numerous decentralised payment centres scattered all over Singapore and made available for public assistance recipients to collect their allowances monthly, and in view of the fact that payment date for each individual household is allocated one month in advance, the purpose of which is to space out payments throughout the month, there is really no necessity for public assistance recipients to queue up for their allowances or to wait for a long time to get their allowances.

We are, of course, aware that there are some recipients who, despite the excellent arrangements made for them to receive their allowances, are in the habit of calling at their respective payment centres much earlier than necessary before payment time. These are the few persons who have created their own queueing up and prolonged their own waiting time. Efforts are continuously made to persuade and advise these recipients who call much earlier than necessary, to come in accordance with their payment date or time to collect their allowances.

As regards food for the aged, every attempt has been made to improve the quality of food in the Home for the Aged people. The dietary scale for the old folks in the Home for the Aged is drawn up in consultation with the Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Singapore, and the Medical Officers attached to the Home for the Aged. The scale of food supplied to the old folks is adequate and balanced and includes a wide selection of foodstuffs with essential nutrients and sufficient variety in daily menus.

Preparation of daily meals in the Home is undertaken by professional cooks employed by the Department. The Social Welfare officials make regular checks on the meals in the Home to ensure that they are palatable and of a good standard. However, it must be appreciated that preparing food for 600 persons in a Home like the Woodlands Home for the Aged is not an easy matter and the food certainly cannot be expected to be as delicious and palatable as those prepared in private homes or in restaurants. All attempts have been made to improve the preparation of meals to make them as delicious as possible and to this end, the Department has even engaged a well-known chef from a Chinese restaurant in Singapore to give regular advanced cooking lessons to the cooks as well as to some of the residents in order to enable them to improve the palatability and standard of the food prepared.

Every inmate of the 600 residents in the old folks Home administered by the Social Welfare Department is given a basic pocket money of $2 per month. In addition, more pocket money for them is being provided under a special Earning Scheme, the scale of which is either $10 per person for those helping in the farm, workshop, kitchen or other duties which require some skills, or $5 for light duties such as doing the household chores or in keeping the dormitories clean.

These payments of $10, $5 and $2 as pocket money for the residents in the Home for the Aged serve as an incentive for the residents to engage themselves in some light but productive and useful work. In addition to the payment of allowances provided for, the old folks in the Home also participate in other profit-sharing projects to earn some pocket money for themselves.

In keeping with the Government's policy that nothing is for free, every resident in the Welfare Home, subject to his or her being certified fit by the Medical Officer, is encouraged and required to engage in some form of work within or without the Home and is paid remuneration in respect of such work at such rate as may from time to time be determined by the Department.

In addition to the free food, free accommodation, free medical treatment, free clothing and payment of allowances under the Earning Scheme and the supply of other basic needs in the Home, the old folks in the Welfare Home enjoy also other privileges such as occasional parties and gifts given by well-wishers, voluntary workers and organised groups.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, the reply of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Affairs is very unsatisfactory. There are rice, vegetables and everything else but they should try and cook the food more tastily. Cooking is done for 600 people, and even if it is for 1,000 people, there should be no difference. The cook must taste the food first, and if he is satisfied that the food is tasty, then it can be given to the old people. I am not asking for a chef from a restaurant to do the cooking in the Home!

Mr Chan Chee Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister for Social Affairs would like to invite the Member for Anson to taste the food for himself to see whether or not the food is tasty. It must be tasty, or otherwise the inmates would not eat the food.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Parliamentary Secretary has given me a detailed reply. I hope the Public Assistance Section will improve on its efficiency. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment, Sir.

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 1002 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 11*. (* The same amendment also stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting.)

Sir, this is a provision of $620,000 in the Development Estimates for the construction of a Home for Destitute Persons. Under this amendment, I have three simple questions to ask the Minister:

(1) What type of people will be housed in the Home for Destitute Persons? Is there any age limit for the people to be admitted? (2) How many people can this Home accommodate? (3) When will the Home be completed, and what facilities will be available?

Mr Chan Chee Seng: Mr Speaker, Sir, the present plan is to put up an additional Home for the Destitutes in order to ease the congestion existing in Bushey Park Home, and to enable the training programme for destitute persons to be effectively carried out.

The Bushey Park Home which is a gazetted Home for the Destitutes is always overcrowded, having an average daily population of 270 persons, while its optimum capacity is for about 250 persons. This population figure of destitutes does not include another 100 male destitutes and 120 female destitutes who have, due to lack of accommodation at Bushey Park Home, to be temporarily accommodated in other Welfare Homes not meant for them. As such, it is essentially vital to build as soon as possible an additional Home for Destitute Persons to relieve the congestion at Bushey Park Home and to train those destitutes who are fit and strong enough to be employable, for eventual employment so that they can become useful citizens of Singapore. Due to the compact, congested nature of the Bushey Park Home, it is not possible nor practical to conduct effectively any training or rehabilitation programme for the inmates.

The desired new Home will have five dormitory blocks, a Medical Block, Recreation Block, Kitchen/Dining Block, Workshops, Staff Quarters and other ancillary buildings. It is hoped that a 10-acre piece of land will soon be made available by the Government for this project, since the dormitories, workshops and other buildings will occupy about four acres with the remaining six acres to be utilised for farming and other training and rehabilitative activities. The new Home will have facilities for both indoor and Outdoor training with a view to cultivating and instilling in the able-bodied destitutes a work habit for outside employment rather than allowing them to remain a continuing charge on public funds. The able-bodied and the workable destitutes committed to this Home would be given vocational training such as carpentry, rattan craft and other light cottage industries as well as farming, vegetable and fruit gardening, flower cultivation and rearing of pigs and poultry.

5.45 p.m.

In establishing this Home, the most pressing requirement other than funds is a piece of land of 10 acres for the purpose. If and when the land is readily available from the Land Office or the Bases Economic Conversion Department, and if the provision of public utility services such as sewerage, water and light would not pose a difficult problem, the construction of the Home should not, in normal circumstances, take too long and it is expected that, barring any unforeseen difficulties, the Home should be completed within the new financial year.

Mr Teong Eng Siong: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for a very clear answer, and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $8,369,220 for Head 1002 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

The sum of $620,000 for Head 1002 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

Head 1003 -

The following amendments stood on the Order Paper

Supplement:

Mr P. Govindaswamy: (1) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1003 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 1001.

Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff Bin Suradi: (2) That the sum to be allocated for Head 1003 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 3001.

The Chairman: Mr P. Govindaswamy and Tuan Haji Mohd. Ariff are not here. Amendment (3), Mr Ho.

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head 1003 be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead 11.

Sir, I really fail to understand why the construction of a fire station in Jurong Town should take such a long way and such a long time. In my simple reasoning, if the need is there, then it should be met as soon as possible. I think the Minister will agree with me that Jurong, being an industrial town with some 400 factories, a fire station is indispensable.

Sir, I believe that the idea of building a fire station there was first mooted in 1966, and now it is 1973. Seven years have elapsed, and yet there is no fire station in sight. I hope this is not caused by the red tape of the relevant authorities. If my memory serves me right, this is the fourth time that I raise this same subject in this House. I hope that this will be the last time so that we do not have to dwell on the same subject next year. In this connection I will appreciate it if the Minister could enlighten this House as to where, in what part of Jurong Town, and when will the fire station be erected. This time, Sir, I expect a definite answer from the Minister.

Mr Chan Chee Seng: Sir, building a fire station is not like building a creche. So we definitely need time to ponder and to plan over it. Members of Parliament may wish to know that the proposed fire station in Jurong Town will occupy 87,100 square feet of land at Residential Neighbourhood II, Jurong Town. The building will be a two-storey structure with a firemen's lecture room, rest room and recruits' dormitory at the first floor and a three-bay appliance room on the ground floor. The office and the control room will adjoin the appliance room. There will be a drill yard and a 97-foot drill cum hose tower. There will also be a single storey structure within the precinct of the fire station to house the lecture room, the rest room and the smoke chamber for the training of recruits. The fire station will be constructed of reinforced concrete and has been designed for the possible future extension of the appliance room from a three-bay to a five-bay station.

The proposed Jurong fire station will be a district fire station supported operationally either by Bukit Timah fire station or Alexandra fire station, in the first instance. The fire appliances and the ambulance for the fire station are already available and will be transferred to the proposed fire station when it is completed. The Public Works Department has advised that the construction of the proposed fire station is expected to be completed by the end of July 1974. The fire station will be commissioned soon after. I hope the Member will be very happy when the fire station is completed.

Mr Ho Kah Leong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I heard the Parliamentary Secretary say that the fire station is expected to be completed by July 1974. I hope his Ministry will keep its word. On that note, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $4,078,230 for Head 1003 ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.

The sum of $650,000 for Head 1003 ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.

Pursuant to a resolution of the House, Mr Speaker thereupon left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

Encik Othman Bin Wok: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Main and Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1973 to 31st March, 1974, and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.

Mr Speaker: So be it.