INTRODUCTION OF UNIFIED TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND REASONS FOR DELAY

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Communications and Works how soon it is proposed to introduce a unified public transport system for Singapore island, and what are the reasons for the delay in implementing the policy laid down in the Government White Paper (Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 48 of 1956).

Mr Chew Swee Kee (for the Minister for Communications and Works): Sir, the White Paper to which the hon. Member refers stated that it would not be possible for responsibility for operating any bus services to be assumed by a unified undertaking before the middle of 1958 and that it was aimed to have the whole process completed in 1959. Although no decision has yet been taken as to whether unification should be achieved by means of a public authority or through the formation of a statutory company, the Government does not at present see any reason to modify that time-table. Meanwhile, other preparations are going ahead.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, will the Minister state when the Government proposes to make up its mind on this question in view of its election promises?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: I have already stated that the Government has already made up its mind. If the hon. Member refers to Sessional Paper No. Cmd. 48 of 1956, paragraph 10 of that Paper states that Government's policy of unifying the passenger transport system should be directed by target dates for the various stages in the implementation of that policy and the time-table is laid down there. Therefore, the Government has never deviated from that policy.

Mr John Ede: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Minister aware that his colleague the Minister for Communications and Works (Mr Francis Thomas) gave an assurance at the time of the publication of the White Paper that there would be a debate on this matter? Will he state why this promise has not been kept?

Mr Chew Swee Kee: I understand that a debate was carried on on the issue of that White Paper. It was already debated in the Assembly.