NATIONAL POLICE CADET CORPS BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

5.32 p.m.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education (Mr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The Police Cadet Corps movement was established in 1961 when the Police Cadet Corps Act (Chapter 77 of the Revised Edition) came into operation, under the auspices of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In 1963, the responsibility for all the four cadet corps, namely, the Police, Army, Sea and Air Cadet Corps, was transferred to the Ministry of Education.

When Singapore became an independent nation in 1965, the need to expand the cadet movement in schools to revitalise and re-orientate our youth in schools became a matter of necessity and urgency. Members may recall that when moving the Second Reading of the National Cadet Corps Bill in November, 1972, it was indicated that steps would be taken to update the Police Cadet Corps Act to bring it in line with the main provisions of the National Cadet Corps Act. Hence this National Police Cadet Corps Bill before this House today.

This updating of the Police Cadet Corps Act to place it on the same footing as the National Cadet Corps is necessary in the interest of the Corps as both these organisations are playing equally important roles in imbuing their members with a sense of loyalty for the establishment of a national identity.

Furthermore, the updating of the Police Cadet Corps Act is necessary to remove the existing anomaly where there appears to be a dual control of the organisation by both the Ministry of Education and the Police. The establishment of a Council, with three nominees of the Commissioner of Police as members, one of whom shall be the Deputy Chairman, will enable the Police to continue to play an equally significant role in the administration and control of the Corps as has been hitherto the case. And quite rightly it should be so, as the Police will continue to provide manpower, logistics and training support for the furtherance of the movement.

With the enactment of the National Police Cadet Corps Bill, the Corps will gain in status, stature and strength and will no doubt continue to strive for better service to our youth and attain its aims at their highest level.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill -[Mr Ahmad Mattar].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed.