asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he is aware that, in Singapore, out of a total population of 680,000, only 8,688 qualified to vote in the municipal elections; how many were disqualified because of the property qualifications; and whether he will take steps to remove these restrictions.

The figure of 8,688 is that of persons who registered as voters and not the total of those qualified. The information requested in the second part of the Question is not available. The property qualification is the subject of a Bill now being considered by the Legislative Council.