CONTROL OF IMPORTS AND EXPORTS ORDINANCE

11.53 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, in accordance with subsection (2) of section 1 of the Control of Imports and Exports Ordinance (Chapter 214), resolves that the aforesaid Ordinance shall continue in force for a further period of one year commencing on the 8th day of December, 1957.

Sir, hon. Members will recall that on six previous occasions this Ordinance has come up before the Legislature and its continuance has been extended each time by a period of one year. My motion now seeks to extend the continuance of the Ordinance for a further period of one year as from 8th December, 1957.

This Ordinance gives the Minister powers to make orders prohibiting the import and export of goods. However, in keeping with our tree trade policy, these powers are used very sparingly as hon. Members know very well, and except for a comparatively narrow field, most imports are placed on the open general licence and exports are freely licensed. The powers of control, however, can be useful in regulating imports for balance of payments reasons, especially from the hard currency areas, but here again all essential, and many semi-essential, goods are licensed freely. These powers also provide a useful check for the purpose of disease control in connection with imports of plants, animals and meat. In the export field, the powers under this Ordinance are used to keep a check on exports of strategic materials and essential items in short supply in Singapore. At present controls on exports are very few in number. It is, however, necessary for the Minister to have such powers of control and the Trade Advisory Council has been consulted and it agrees with this view. 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, in accordance with subsection (2) of section 1 of the Control of Imports and Exports Ordinance (Chapter 214), resolves that the aforesaid Ordinance shall continue in force for a further period of one year commencing on the 8th day of December, 1957.