SINGAPORE PORT RULES, 1957

11.50 a.m.

The Minister for Commerce and Industry (Mr J. M. Jumabhoy): Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to move the motion standing in my name,

That this Assembly, pursuant to subsection (2) of section 490 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (Chapter 207), resolves that the Singapore Port Rules, 1957, published as Notification No. S 204 in the Gazette Supplement No. 59 dated 2nd August, 1957, as contained in Sessional Paper No. S.L. 16 of 1957, be approved.

Sir, the Singapore port rules were last reviewed in 1936 and since then many amendments have been made to meet changing conditions. The need for a complete revision of the existing rules has long been recognised and with the new rules, which hon. Members are now asked to approve, this need has been met.

In the revision of the port rules, my Ministry has worked in close association with the Marine Police, Immigration, Customs, Port Health, Fisheries and Chemistry Departments, the Singapore Pilots Association and the Singapore Shipowners Association. The last-named association formed a sub-committee to comment on these rules when they were being drafted. It will thus be seen that the new rules represent the agreed views of all parties concerned.

A large number of the existing rules have been modified and a few new rules have been introduced. The existing rules dealing with the licensing of cargo, passenger and fishing boats have been omitted from the new rules. It is intended to present them separately in two new sets of rules, namely, the Singapore Licensed Boats Rules and the Singapore Licensed Fishing Boats Rules. In the meantime, the existing port rules relating to cargo, passenger and fishing boats are being kept in force. Sir, I beg to move.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Sir, I second the motion.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly, pursuant to subsection (2 of section 490 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance (Chapter 207), resolves that the Singapore Port Rules, 1957, published as Notification No. S 204 in the Gazette Supplement No. 59 dated 2nd August, 1957, as contained in Sessional Paper No. S.L. 16 of 1957, be approved.