HAWKER PROBLEMS

Wednesday, 19th June, 1957

Mr Lim Cher Kheng asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he will appoint a Committee to examine the hawker problems and make recommendations thereon.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Government has decided that it would be desirable in principle to set up a Hawkers' Advisory Committee consisting of the following members : -

(a) two nominees of the Government;

(b) two nominees of the City Council;

(c) two representatives of hawkers to be chosen in consultation with the appropriate hawkers associations; and

(d) an independent Chairman, who may be a housewife.

The Committee would advise the appropriate authorities on problems relating to hawkers, generally or specifically.

The City Council is intimately concerned with the hawkers problem, and its views and co-operation are therefore being sought before the Committee is formally constituted.

It is not intended that this Committee should usurp the functions of the City Council in its handling of the hawker problem, but as this problem has assumed major proportions recently, Government is of the opinion that a purely advisory body representing all parties concerned in this matter should now be established.