PENSIONERS (Particulars)

Dr Lee Siew-Choh asked the Minister for Finance (a) whether he will give a breakdown of the number of pensioners who receive pensions of less than $400 p.m., $600 p.m. and $800 p.m.; and (b) whether he will consider increasing the allowances of pensioners who draw less than $800 per month.

The Minister for Finance (Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau): Mr Speaker, Sir, the figures requested are as follows.

The number of pensioners who receive pensions of less than $400 per month is 6,647; those with less than $600 per month is 8,753; those with $800 per month or less is 9,746.

The Member raised the same issue in the last Budget debate in March 1989 and I have explained that the Singapore Allowance was revised in 1980, 1982 and finally in April 1986. I also stated that there was no basis for further revision at that time as the change in the Consumer Price Index between 1986 and March 1989 was small. The position has not changed. There is no justification to revise the Singapore Allowance again at the present time.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: Has the Minister ever gone into a supermarket or market to buy things?

Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau: Indeed I have. But I do not see how that is relevant to the question he asked. He is probably imputing that prices of a lot of things have gone up, but these are usually the luxury items. The basics should be what he should consider.

Dr Lee Siew-Choh: Are foodstuffs the luxury items for the people in Singapore?

Dr Richard Hu Tsu Tau: A great deal depends on the type of foodstuffs that he is talking about.