SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND (Grants)

Dr Wang Kai Yuen asked the Minister for Finance, Minister for Education and Minister for Health (a) what is the number of persons whose training since January 1980 has been subsidized by the Skills Development Fund; and (b) how many of them earn more than $750 thereby paying no SDF levy; what is the amount of their subsidies as a percentage of the total and what is their salary distribution.

The Minister for Finance, Minister for Education and Minister for Health (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam): Mr Speaker, Sir, as at 31 st December, 1984, the Skills Development Fund has awarded training grants to 5,086 firms for a proposed training of a total of 213,874 employees.

Sir, the other information requested by the Member for Bukit Timah is contained in the schedule (Cols. 1425 - 1426) which has been distributed to Members. schedule - DISTRIBUTION OF TRAINEES APPROVED AND GRANTS COMMITTED -- BY SALARY RANGE (Cols. 1425 - 1426)

Dr Wang Kai Yuen (Bukit Timah): Sir, would the Minister agree that, in view of the figures he has just released, greater efforts should be expended in the training of those earning below $750, in particular, those who have lost their jobs in our economic restructuring programme?

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Sir, I agree.