§ Mr. Piratinasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total adult population in Singapore; and what were the franchise qualifications in the recent municipal elections.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsI cannot give a figure for adults but the total population of the Singapore municipal area is approximately 680,000. The municipal26W franchise is open to persons over 21, who being British subjects or having been born in a British or British protected territory in Malaya or Borneo, have not identified themselves in any way with any foreign State, for example by holding a foreign passport. In addition there is a residential qualification of three years and a property qualification as follows. A voter must be: (1) the owner of immovable property within the Municipality of an assessed annual value of $60, or, (2) the occupier of premises of an annual value of not less than $120, or (3) the occupier of part of premises for which he pays a monthly rent of not less than $10, or (4) the occupier of or lodger in premises for which he pays a monthly sum of not less than $60 in respect of board and lodging.