FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 1977 TO 31ST MARCH, 1978 (Paper Cmd. I of 1978)

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

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

3.32 p.m.

The Chairman: The First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1977 to 31st March, 1978 contained in Paper Cmd. 1 of 1978.

Head H -

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

That the sum to be allocated for Head H be reduced by $10 in respect of subhead AAA 3090.

Mr Speaker, Sir, in moving this amendment, I merely wish to seek further clarification and elucidation on the need to vote this sum of $330,120 incurred by the Attorney-General's Chambers because of the increase in the number and seriousness of accidents involving Government vehicles and because of unforeseen expenditure incurred in London in respect of extradition proceedings.

The House will recall that much debate had been generated in previous Budget sessions concerning accidents involving Government vehicles. Therefore, because of the increase in the number and seriousness of accidents involving Government vehicles, a sum of $30,210 is being sought for to meet necessary payment, I would like to request the Hon. Minister concerned for details on this.

(a) How many incidents have there been and the degree of seriousness in the current fiscal year?

(b) What is the number of Government vehicles involved?

(c) Which are the departments involved in these accidents?

(d) What is the sum required for?

(e) What are the comparative figures on accidents involving Government vehicles in the last three years and the extent of expenditure incurred?

(f) Has there been a lowering in the standard of the performance on the part of the drivers in the Government departments concerned?

(g) whether any disciplinary action has been taken against the erring drivers?

Sir, it may interest the House to know that I have had occasions to notice Government vehicles, for example, the Ministry of the Environment's garbage trucks, speeding and overtaking each other along Tampines Road without due regard to the other road users. The Hon. Minister may reply that I am exaggerating and request me to furnish particulars, etc. But what I have said is true.

What measures does the Hon. Minister propose to take to ensure that accidents involving Government vehicles are kept to the minimum?

Sir, I beg to move.

The Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology (Mr E.W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, during the period from 1st April, 1977 to 20th February, 1978 there were altogether 1,514 accidents involving the same number of Government vehicles. Thirty-two departments were involved. A list of these departments showing the exact number of accidents and the exact number of vehicles for each department is with me and I will be pleased to hand it to the Member concerned. I do not think it is appropriate that I read it out here.

A sum of $200,000 was originally voted for this item for expenditure on accidents involving Government vehicles. This sum is to meet the claims received against Government when Government vehicles are involved in accidents. The sum does not cover repairs to Government vehicles. The sum was found inadequate. Hence, the supplementary estimates for the additional sum of $30,210.

The exact figures of expenditure involving these vehicles for the lest three years are as follows: In 1975, there were 1,545 accidents and the amount spent was $196,339.62. In 1976 the number of accidents reduced to 1,373. But the amount spent on claims increased to $281,774.15. Last year the number of accidents increased to 1,819 and the amount spent was $293,296.59.

The drivers of Government vehicles are not only liable to criminal proceedings which may be initiated if they drive negligently or recklessly but they are also subject to disciplinary proceedings which are taken by the Government departments concerned in appropriate cases.

As for lorries of the Ministry of the Environment racing together, I did not know that there were hell-drivers in my Ministry. But it is difficult for me to investigate a general complaint like this. I will be pleased to start investigations if dates, places and numbers are given to me.

As for the other sum, perhaps I can deal with it briefly. The extradition proceedings started before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in London in January 1977. There was an appeal against the Magistrate's findings to the Divisional Court and a further appeal to the House of Lords against the Divisional Court's judgment. In these proceedings we engaged a Queen's Counsel, two junior Counsel as well as a London solicitor.

Prior to the request for extradition, senior officers of the Attorney-General's Chambers had consultations with a Mr Ronald Waterhouse, Q.C., as to the adequacy of the evidence, the framing of the charges and other related matters. A total sum of $335,218.90 has so far been paid out as costs in respect of this case. A further supplementary provision will be needed to meet further costs. The appeal to the House of Lords which began on 25th January, 1978 lasted for more than 3 1/2 weeks. It was an epic legal battle and has gone on longer than any other appeal in that House within living memory. The House of Lords has reserved judgment.

Should there be a trial in Singapore if Mr Tarling is extradited, and should there be an appeal by Mr Tarling from Singapore to the Privy Council, further supplementary provisions will be required to meet further claims or costs to meet all these legal fees. I hope I have satisfied the Member.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the Hon. Minister has not answered my last question, i.e. what measures does he propose to take to ensure that accidents involving Government vehicles are kept to the minimum. If I have got his figures correctly, in 1976 and 1977 there was an increase of more than 30% in the number of accidents as well as in the payments. Before I withdraw my question, I will be grateful if the Minister can answer the last question.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, I thought I have dealt with that question when I said that drivers who were negligent or reckless could be charged in court and that disciplinary proceedings would be taken. I do not propose to take other measures in my Ministry. I cannot speak for the other departments concerned. The Member may be interested to know that the majority of the accidents comes from the Armed Forces and the number of Government vehicles has been increasing over the years. So has the number of accidents. It does not mean that the standard of driving has gone down or that the drivers have become more negligent. It may also be of interest to the Member to know that second on the list of the drivers involved are those from the Ministry of the Environment. I will send him a copy of the list in a few minutes' time.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: Sir, in view of the Hon. Minister's further clarification, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment.

Amendment by leave, withdrawn.

The sum of $330,120 for Head H ordered to stand part of the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 4st April, 1977 to 31st March, 1978.

Question, "That the sum of $330,120 shall be supplied to the Government under the head of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1977 to 31st March, 1978 contained in Paper Cmd. 1 of 1978", put and agreed to.

Resolution to be reported

Thereupon Mr Speaker left the Chair of the Committee and took the Chair of the House.

The Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to a certain resolution.

Resolution reported -

"That the sum of $330,120 shall be supplied to the Government under the head of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April 1977 to 31st March, 1978 contained in Paper Cmd. 1 of 1978."

Mr Hon Sui Sen: Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move that Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolution.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolution accordingly agreed to