TAX ON PUB AND TELEPHONE BILLS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND

Dr Toh Chin Chye asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for Education and Minister for Health (a) what is the total government tax on Public Utilities Board bills for each of the years 1979 to 1984; (b) what is the total government tax on Telecommunication Authority of Singapore bills for each of the years 1979 to 1984; and (c) what are the contributions collected under the Skills Development Fund for each of the years 1980 to 1984.

The Minister for Finance, Minister for Education and Minister for Health (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam): Mr Speaker, Sir, to avoid boring Members by reading out a long list of figures, may I have your permission, Sir, to ask the Clerk to distribute a Schedule (Cols. 827 - 828) which gives information requested by the Member for Rochore.[Copies distributed to Members] Schedule (Cols. 827 - 828)

Mr Speaker: Dr Toh, I presume you have no supplementary questions.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: I have, Sir. Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister, first of all, assure us that, in view of his Budget speech, there will be no increase in water rates?

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Mr Speaker, Sir, I mentioned in the Budget Statement that there are a number of constraints to Singapore's growth, and among these constraints one of the most critical is the supply of water for our domestic and industrial use. I believe this issue deserves public attention because the public should be reminded at all times of the need to conserve and to use water sparingly.

One of the best ways in which we can make sure that water is not wasted is to have regular revisions of tariffs. Mr Speaker, Sir, I will not hesitate to raise tariffs again if I consider it necessary to ensure that water is not wasted.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Mr Speaker, Sir, to beat the clock, may I ask the Minister, very quickly, what dividends have been paid by the PUB to the Consolidated Fund considering the fact that the Telecommunications Authority of Singapore is expected to pay $40 million this year?

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have the information at hand, but I will give it to the Member subsequently.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: A last supplementary question, Sir. Does the Minister not consider that there is a contradiction in his campaign to conserve energy while at the same time Orchard Road and Chinatown are being lit up?

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Mr Speaker, Sir, we must not be single-minded about this. Government has got ---

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Plenty of money.

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: --- a complexity of purposes to serve. The lighting up of Chinatown and Orchard Road is to stimulate our tourist trade which will result in increased revenue for the shopkeepers in these areas and subsequently in increased revenue for Government which will enable us to buy the energy which we need.