SECONDARY INDUSTRIES (Establishment)

Mr Seah Peng Chuan asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry-

(a) whether he is aware of any attempt by foreign or local industrialists to start secondary industries in the Colony in the near future; and

(b) whether he will make a statement on the Government's invitation to local and foreign capital to establish secondary industries in the Colony.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: The answer to part (a), Sir, is yes.

The answer to part (b), Sir; I would refer the hon. Member to my statement on the encouragement of local industries made in this House on the 7th of November in which the Government's proposals to encourage the investment of overseas and local capital and to create a suitable climate for such investment were outlined. The hon. Member will be aware, Sir, from this morning's papers that Dr Godwin, Director of the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, arrived in the Colony last night to advise us on the setting up of an Industrial Research Institute here, as outlined in my statement on the 7th of November.