RICE IMPORTS FROM PAKISTAN AND INDIA 1955/1956

Mr R. Jumabhoy asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether he will state-

(a) The monthly imports of rice from Pakistan and India into Singapore for October, November and December, 1955, and January, February and March 1956;

(b) The names of the importers in respect of (a) above;

(c) How much of such rice was bought direct and imported by the regular importers of rice in Singapore, and how much of it was bought by local Indian merchants for resale to regular importers.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: (a) 1955 Pakistan India tons tons October 308 438 November 100 143 December 200 396 1956 January 442 454 February 40 148 March Nil 75

(b) Daily lists published by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce which are available to subscribers contain the names of importers.

(c) Licences to import rice are issued freely to applicants whether or not they are regular rice importers. No special record is, therefore, made of whether or not an applicant is a regular importer when licences are issued.