MINDEF WORK YEAR FOR IN-CAMP TRAINING (Adjustment of Schedule)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence whether it is possible to adjust the MINDEF Work Year for In-Camp Training (ICT) to commence from January instead of March each year, to be in line with the calendar year so as to reduce disruptions to our operationally ready National Servicemen's civilian work schedules, particularly the application for leave and absence from work due to ICT, as they are based on the calendar year.

The Second Minister for Defence (RAdm Teo Chee Hean) (for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, the MINDEF Work Year, like all other Government Ministries, is pegged to the financial year from 1st April to end March of the following year. All SAF activities, courses and programmes are therefore pegged to the same time frame for the reason of budgeting and allocation of training resources. The SAF yearly in-camp training schedule is finalised by September each year, which gives a six-month lead time before the commencement of the next work year. This allows the SAF to give at least six months advance notice to NSmen who would be called up in the next work year, which extends from April to the end of March. There is sufficient notice for NSmen to make leave applications and to inform their employers.

I also wish to point out that to change the in-camp training work year to a calendar year rather than a financial year will also not, of course, reduce the number of call-ups. However, MINDEF will have a relook at Mr Yeo's suggestion to see whether there is any real merit and benefit in doing this.