§ 33. Mr. Awberyasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if a date has yet been fixed for the operation of the new constitution in Singapore; how many trade union and political leaders are now in detention without trial; and how far they will be precluded, because of this, from standing as candidates at the forthcoming elections for the new Legislature.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydNo. The numbers of trade union and political leaders detained under the Preservation of Public4W Security Ordinance are 27 and 8 respectively. Their detention in this way does not of itself preclude them from standing as candidates for the forthcoming election in Singapore; they are only precluded if they fail to satisfy a tribunal established under the provisions of Section 7 (1) of the Singapore Colony (Electoral Provisions) Order in Council, 1958, that the grounds for their detention do not include allegations to the effect that they have been engaged in subversive activities threatening the peace, order or good government of Singapore.