CHIEF MINISTER'S VISIT TO KUALA LUMPUR (Statement)

Mr John Ede asked the Chief Minister whether he will make a statement on the results of his recent visit to Kuala Lumpur; and, in particular, whether at that visit he made approaches with the view to the improvement of trade relations between Singapore and the Federation.

The Chief Minister (Mr Lim Yew Hock): Mr Speaker, Sir, at a joint conference of Ministers held in Kuala Lumpur on 3rd May, 1957, a number of subjects of mutual interest to Singapore and the Federation were discussed. The effects of Federation duty on Singapore manufactures received the attention of this joint conference. The Federation Government has since presented to its Legislative Council on Tuesday, 7th May, a White Paper on its protective tariff policy. Singapore made representations to the effect that any form of tariff protection might have adverse economic consequences for both territories. The need for close consultation between the two territories was stressed to ensure that the interests of both territories would be consulted.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Chief Minister state whether specific industries were discussed and whether he could hold out hope of employment in the soap industry?

The Chief Minister: Sir, in view of the delicate nature of the question, we have discussed this in the joint conference in Kuala Lumpur. We tried all we could to persuade them to accept our representations, but in the light of the White Paper which the Federation Government presented on 7th May, we were told that a committee would be formed by the Federation Government to which further representations could be made by this Government.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Chief Minister state what further efforts he is making or proposes to make to improve trade relations?

Mr Speaker: That is a different question.