SINGAPORE - PARLIAMENT will sit next Thursday, Jan 29, at 1.30pm, the Office of the Clerk of Parliament said on Wednesday.

The House is expected to debate two proposed laws - on the MediShield Life scheme and on tighter controls on the consumption and sale of liquor.

Both Bills were introduced in Parliament on Monday.

The MediShield Life Scheme Bill will enshrine in law the universal medical insurance programme, which will be implemented by the end of this year.

It will allow the authorities to check the income and health status of all Singaporeans and permanent residents, so that premiums and subsidies can be accurately calculated.

The Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Bill seeks to ban public drinking and buying alcohol to take away from 10.30pm.

It will cover public spaces such as parks and Housing Board void decks, where drinking will be banned from 10.30pm to 7am.

Two other Bills - on deep seabed mining and community dispute resolution - were also presented in Parliament on Monday.

They may be debated at the upcoming sitting as well.