LEGAL DEPOSITORY FOR UNWANTED BABIES

Mr Sin Boon Ann asked the Acting Minister for Community Development and Sports if he will consider allowing parents, who have babies they cannot care for, to leave them at a legally designated place without penalising them.

Mr Speaker: You have three minutes, Dr Yaacob.

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, the MP has asked if my Ministry will consider legalising a designated place for parents to leave their babies. My Ministry has previously responded to questions in Parliament and the media regarding our position on such repositories, also known as `Baby Drops'. While the objective of such repositories is to protect the baby from danger and the anonymity of the parent who abandons the baby, they remain controversial even in countries that have introduced them.

Under our existing legislation, it is illegal to abandon a baby. This is to underline the inalienable responsibility of parents for the safety and welfare of their children. The `Baby Drop' scheme could unwittingly encourage child abandonment, which will, in the long term, put far more children at risk. The anonymity of the mother would also deprive her of the emotional support that she needs.

We would like to highlight, once again, that we do not intend to legalise such schemes as we believe that there are far more constructive ways to help mothers with unwanted pregnancies. My Ministry and social service agencies prefer to engage the mother, apprise her of her options and assist through counselling her, her partner and her parents, to make an informed decision, including the possibility of giving her baby up for adoption. Currently, mothers with unwanted pregnancies can approach the Child Protection and Welfare Service in my Ministry, Rose Villa or the Pertapis Centre for Women and Girls. There are also shelters for those who wish to keep the baby and a 24-hour hotline.

We continue to encourage those who find themselves with an unwanted pregnancy to come forward early for help. We assure them of confidentiality as they receive counselling and other forms of help. For girls who may be underaged, we will work with them and their parents. If the girl has reasons not to inform her parents about the admission to the shelter, the staff will try to work with the girl to address her concerns.

Mr Speaker: You have one minute.

Mr Sin Boon Ann (Tampines): Will the Minister be able to tell this House which countries have actually opted for this scheme which allows babies to be legally dropped?

Assoc. Prof. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim: Sir, baby drops are currently available in United States and Germany. And in the United States, they are legalised in the States of Texas, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Indiana. In Germany, they legalised baby drops in the year 2000. Despite having such baby drops in America, it has continued to be a controversial issue among the media and people in the social service agencies. 2.00 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No. 21(3), Written Answers to Question Nos. 19-21 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the section, "Oral Answers to Questions Not Reached" (Cols. 2269 - 2272). Question Nos. 18 and 22 have been postponed to the sitting of Parliament on 22nd January 2003.]