ACKNOWLEDGMENT TO THE CHAIR

The Leader of the House (Mr E.W. Barker): Mr Speaker, honourable Members, we come once again to the end of a long debate and, as usual, some Members have been extremely long-winded and you have shown great patience, Sir.

This has not been the most interesting debate for the last few years. If there is anyone to blame, perhaps it is the Minister for Finance for presenting such a good Budget that is difficult for Members to criticize. The Budget debate itself only lasted one day instead of the usual two. That perhaps set the tone for the debate in the Committee of Supply which ended today when it was scheduled to end tomorrow.

Perhaps I should have reminded Members earlier that this might be, for some, the last opportunity to speak in this House. Election fever has hit Singapore and if (i say if) Parliament is dissolved and an election held this year, sometime in the middle of the year, let us say, then some of us might not return to this House. I will not point my finger at anyone, but let me take this opportunity in that event to wish them a fond farewell.

Sir, now it remains for me to thank you for having so patiently and courteously listened to us for the last seven days.