Debated in Parliament on 3 Jul 2017.
Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Prime Minister (a) what rules are in place to ensure that Ministers and senior officeholders with personal or pecuniary interests in the subject matter of Government decisions do not influence or participate in the related deliberations and decision-making and how are the rules enforced; (b) in respect of Government opinions or decisions relating to the estate and assets of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, what conflicts or potential conflicts of interest did the Government identify to exist from among the members of the Cabinet and with regard to the Attorney-General; and (c) how are these conflicts or potential conflicts of interest managed.
Mr Leon Perera asked the Prime Minister (a) under what circumstances are Ministerial committees whose existence is not made public are convened to address issues; (b) how many of such committees currently exist and whether their terms of reference and composition can be publicly announced unless forbidden by national security concerns; and (c) in respect of the Ministerial committee reviewing the fate of No 38 Oxley Road, whether independent heritage experts and processes for public opinion sensing will be engaged by the committee.
Mr Chen Show Mao asked the Prime Minister what mechanisms are in place to prevent, limit, detect and address situations where Ministers or political appointees use State Organs to obtain information not related to the performance of their duties, advance personal interests or punish detractors, critics or political opponents.
Mr Pritam Singh asked the Prime Minister in view of public concerns over allegations of abuse of power over the matter of 38 Oxley Road, whether he supports a Motion to set up a special Select Committee of Parliament, comprising Members from all parties, to receive relevant evidence and with public hearings that are broadcast live.
Mr Png Eng Huat asked the Prime Minister (a) what rules and directives are in place to prevent Ministers and political appointees from abusing their positions by allowing or condoning their family members to access, influence and direct senior civil servants on matters beyond their professional course of work; (b) how often are these rules and directives communicated to Ministers, political appointees and senior civil servants and in what form; and (c) how will such cases be treated when abuse of position and power is proven.
Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) whether deeds of gifts executed with NHB may be shared with third persons and, if so, under what circumstances may they be shared; and (b) whether the deed of gift of items from 38 Oxley Road had been protected by a confidentiality clause and, if so, why did NHB release the deed to the Prime Minister.
Mdm Speaker, may I beg leave for Question Nos 6 to 11 to be answered by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Teo in the Ministerial Statements that they will make later today, as well as by the Ministers when the House considers the two Statements?
I give my permission. We go to Question No 12. Mr Patrick Tay.
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