FALLING BIRTH RATE

FALLING BIRTH RATE: 1.

Ms Irene Ng Phek Hoong asked the Prime Minister (a) what new measures are being considered to check the falling birth rate; and (b) what lessons can be learnt from other developed countries which have been successful in checking this trend.

The Minister, Prime Minister's Office (Mr Lim Hng Kiang) (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, falling birth rate is a serious problem. It is not a new problem but it is a complex problem. As Deputy Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong said, he will address this issue in his Budget Speech later on. I would like to urge Members to be patient, listen to DPM's speech, and I am sure we will have ample opportunities to debate this issue during the Budget debate as well as during the Committee of Supply.