DR BENHAM'S ECONOMIC SURVEY OF SINGAPORE

Mr G. A. P. Sutherland asked the Chief Minister why the report of Dr F. C. Benham, the Economic Adviser to the Chief Minister, of a survey conducted by him of the economic position of Singapore during 1956 which was reviewed in the local press on 28th June, 1957, was not in the first instance presented to the Legislative Assembly.

The Chief Minister (Mr Lim Yew Hock): Mr Speaker, Sir, the report referred to was made to the Chief Minister by his Economic Adviser. It attempts to estimate progress made in economic fields since 1954. It does not in any way contain any statement of policy. There is nothing in the Standing Orders of the Legislative Assembly requiring that such report should be presented to the Legislative Assembly before it can be made public. The report has since been printed and copies have been furnished to Members of the Legislative Assembly as a matter of courtesy.