QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER (Not reached by 3.30 p.m.) ALLOWANCE OF NATIONAL SERVICEMEN (Review)

Dr Tan Cheng Bock asked the Minister of Defence and Second Minister for Health if he will review the allowance of National Servicemen in view of the numerous appeals by Members of Parliament over the years for National Servicemen to be given a higher allowance to meet the high cost of living.

Mr Goh Chok Tong: I thank the Member of Parliament for Ayer Rajah and the other Members of Parliament before him for the continued concern over our national servicemen's welfare. The question of national service allowance has been debated in this House on numerous occasions. MINDEF has studied the problem carefully, weighing the pros and cons. Members may wish to note that an increase of $10 per month in the allowance would result in an additional cost of over $7 million a year for MINDEF.

Nevertheless, we have now decided to make some adjustments to the initial allowance of $90 for National Service recruits. Details are being worked out. We expect to finalize them before the middle of the year.

Notwithstanding our decision to revise the allowance, two important points must be stressed. Firstly, national servicemen's allowance must not be confused with wages or salary. The allowance is meant only as contribution towards personal upkeep and expenses over and above those borne by the SAF, like food and lodging for those staying in camp. It is not for services rendered. The element of sacrifice on the part of national servicemen must be stressed. Their reward is peace and security for their country and family. We must continue to remind our national servicemen that it is their duty and honour to serve the nation. At the age of 18, they have enjoyed 18 years of peace and progress made possible only by the sacrifices of their elder brothers, cousins, friends and neighbours who served the nation before them.

Secondly, as in the past, every national serviceman who experiences genuine financial difficulties in his family will be assisted through loans for those who are single, and outright grants for those who are married.