CASH GRANT SCHEME FOR SMALL FAMILIES (Number of acceptances)

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Law what is the number of families that have accepted the offer of $10,000 for purchase of Housing and Development Board accommodation made by the government in 1984 to families who agreed to take steps to limit their children to two.

The Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Law (Prof. S. Jayakumar): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Cash Grant Scheme for small families was implemented with effect from 1st June 1984. As at 28th February 1985, a total of 47 applications had been approved.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Would the Minister state the rationale or the logic behind asking these people to sign a condition to return the $10,000 if they should, through no fault of their own, have a third child?

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer to his supplementary question is that the policy and the reasons for the scheme were spelt out in the press release of June 1984. It was clearly stated in that press release that the purpose was to limit families so that they could break out of the low-income large-family cycle. Therefore, it must follow that those who, after receiving the cash grant, went on to have a third child would be defaulting the conditions of the scheme. If the Member for Anson can tell me how they can have a third child without their fault, I would be glad to review the matter.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, I thought the condition was that they should submit to the sterilization programme before they could receive the grant. We have been told that it is not altogether irreversible, and that sometimes the couple do have a child even after undergoing the operation.

Prof. Jayakumar: Mr Speaker, Sir, that, at the moment I am advised, is a hypothetical or academic question. If the situation does arise, my Ministry will consider it.