ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO THE CHAIR

The Leader of the House (Mr E.W. Barker): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we are nearly coming to the end of a long and lively debate. There have been some moments of merriment, others when Members were serious and others when some got excited. Sometimes the sparks flew across the Floor. But some speeches were so boring and dull that hon. Backbenchers sitting in the front were sent almost into a state of blissful snoring slumber.

The debate began in the Committee of Supply when the Member for Rochore expressed curiosity about the work going on in our garden. As far as the garden is concerned, I have made only one suggestion and that was, we should plant clumps of bamboo because bamboo, swaying with the wind, softens the harshness of the stone and cement you see around us. The Speaker rejected my suggestion because he said that bamboo attracts snakes. Perhaps he was thinking of the Garden of Eden where you have Adam and Eve and the serpent. But thanks to Mr Speaker, we have no serpent in our garden. We do not even have an Eve in this House. Sir, half of our population comes from the fairer sex. I cannot speak on your behalf or on behalf of the other Members. But after listening for so long to the voices of merely males in this House, I say it would be a refreshing change if we had an Eve in this House. But that will have to wait until the general elections.

Mr Jeyaretnam: When is that?

Mr Barker: Oh, I do not know. Or the next by-election. Meanwhile you, Sir, will have to continue to put up with us and with some of our antics which you, Sir, and Mr Speaker, have handled with considerable patience. I thank you, Sir.