SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT UNIT

Maj Fong Sip Chee asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for Education and Minister for Health (1) how much public funds have been expended in the setting up of the Social Development Unit; (2) how many people have participated in the Unit's activities; (3) the type and number of activities so far organized and the amount of money expended; (4) the amount of fees paid or other forms of payment made to instructors or lecturers on subjects such as make-up and social graces; (5) if he considers the contents of these instructions are of such import, will he not therefore introduce these as subjects of study in the university so as to tackle the problem at source; and (6) does the Unit conduct any follow-up action to monitor the success rate, and if so, what is the rate of success and, if not, will the Unit be disbanded in due course.

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: The answers to the question are as follows:

(1) Public funds expended in the setting up of the Social Development Unit was $46,997.

(2) 1,200 people have participated in the Unit's activities.

(3) The type and number of activities and their costs are as follows:- Computer Awareness Courses (16 Nos) - $ 53,824.00 Personal Development Workshops (5 Nos) - $176,186.72 Tours (4 Nos) - fully paid by participants

(4) To date, fees paid to various concerns for make-up and social graces courses amount to $29,391.00.

(5) These courses are not suitable for study at the University.

(6) It is too early to evaluate the success of the Unit's activities.