SINGAPORE RED CROSS SOCIETY (INCORPORATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read. 3.22 p.m.

The Minister for Health and Acting Minister for Social Affairs (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The Red Cross Society (Incorporation) Act, 1973, provides that the President of Singapore shall be the Patron as well as the President of the Red Cross Society. The President has indicated that he wishes to relinquish his appointment as President of the Society. I am accordingly proposing an amendment to Section 6 of the Act to enable the President to appoint another person to be the Society's President.

This Bill also seeks to amend sections 7 and 9 of the Act to empower the Society's Council to make rules to regulate the management of the affairs of the Society.

Section 5(a) of the principal Act defines the objects of the Society as follows:

"5(a) the improvement of health, the prevention of disease and the mitigation of suffering throughout the world without any distinction on the grounds of race, nationality, religion or political opinions." It is felt that this clause is too embracing as it is unlikely that a Singapore Society can mitigate diseases and suffering throughout the world. Moreover, it impinges on the functions of certain Government Ministries. For example, "the improvement of health" and "the prevention of disease" are the responsibilities of the Ministries of Health and the Environment. It is therefore proposed to amend section 5(a) of the Act as set out in the Notice of Amendments which has been circulated. The Red Cross Society is performing a commendable public service in running a Home for Crippled Children. The amendment will permit the Society to continue this excellent work.

As the Council of the Singapore Red Cross Society has expressed its desire to make certain amendments, I shall be committing this Bill to a Select Committee where they can present their views.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Resolved,

"That the Singapore Red Cross Society (incorporation) (Amendment) Bill be committed to a Select Committee consisting of Mr Speaker as Chairman and seven Members to be nominated by the Committee of Selection." - [Dr Toh Chin Chye].