ELECTION OF PRESIDENT

The following Question stood on the Order Paper:

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam: To ask the Prime Minister when does he propose that Parliament should elect the next President for Singapore.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Questions for Oral Answer. Mr Jeyaretnam.

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam (Anson): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Question was asked before the announcement of the next President was made known in the papers on Monday. Now that the announcement has been made, I wish to withdraw this Question.

But, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, on a point of order. May I ask a clarification from you about the sittings of Parliament.

Mr Deputy Speaker: Yes, proceed.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we were informed that Parliament would meet on the 4th of September this year. The Clerk of Parliament, as usual, sent out notices fixing the times for the submission of Questions and Notices to Parliament, and the last day for submission of Questions was the 24th of this month. Suddenly, after 5.00 pm on Friday, the 23rd, I had a notice saying that the sitting of Parliament has been brought forward to today. As a result of that, some seven Questions for Written Answer which I had proposed to send to the Clerk on the morning of the 24th, missed out. May I know, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, whether there were any compelling reasons for bringing forward the sitting of Parliament?

Mr Deputy Speaker: Mr Jeyaretnam, that question is out of order. However, I would like to inform you that Standing Orders provide that Notice of Questions should be given not less than seven clear days. Your Question which was submitted on 24th August does not fall within the minimum number of days required under Standing Orders. Hence, it cannot be answered at this sitting.