PRIVILEGES OF PARLIAMENT

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Speaker: Order. I have an announcement to make on a matter affecting the privileges of this House.

In the Straits Times of Friday, 12th March 1993, in the column "From the Gallery", it was reported that, in response to a query by the writer as to why he had not given notice to speak during the sitting of the Committee of Supply, Mr Walter Woon said: "What's the point?" "You have only two minutes to speak, and then?".

As I had considered the words purportedly uttered by him to be inaccurate and serving to undermine the dignity of the House, I wrote to Mr Woon on the same day seeking his confirmation that the words so reported were uttered by him, and if so, his explanation as to why he said those words.

Mr Woon has written to me explaining that what he said had been misconstrued. He has stated that the words attributed to him were not a verbatim quote and has also apologised for the wrong impression that might have been given. He has assured me that he had no intention to trivialize the proceedings in the Committee of Supply.

I have accepted Mr Woon's apology and assurances.