BILL TO ENABLE FEDERATION CUSTOMS OFFICERS TO BOARD TRAINS IN SINGAPORE

Mr John Ede asked the Financial Secretary when the Bill will be introduced to enable Federation of Malaya customs officers to board trains at the Singapore Railway Station and make customs examinations en route to Johore Bahru.

Mr Hart: Sir, in reply to a question from the hon. Member in November of last year, I said that it had already been agreed in principle that Federation customs officers should board trains in Singapore and make customs examinations en route to Johore Bahru, and that a Bill authorising this to be done was in draft. The Bill in question is a revision of the Federated Malay States Customs Duty Collection Ordinance (Cap. 232 in the old edition of the laws), and deals with other matters besides the examination of passengers' goods on trains between Singapore and Johore Bahru. This Bill was ready for presentation to the two Legislatures in January 1957 but it was withdrawn by the Federation Government in February so that further amendments to the law could be considered. A redraft was ready in mid-April but it had to be examined by the Departments concerned in Singapore and by the Hon. the Attorney-General in the light of further changes suggested. The present position is that we are awaiting the comments of the Federation Government on a point raised by the Supervisor of Export Duties, Federation Customs Department, in Singapore. I am confident, however, that this point will be settled readily and that the Bill will be presented in the very near future.