SEAMEN'S REGISTRY BOARD (Membership)

Mr Lim Choon Mong asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether he is aware that the Singapore Chinese Seafarers' Association is dissatisfied that none of the members of the Seamen's Registry Board can adequately represent the interest of the members of that Association; and what action does he propose to take in this matter.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: It is not the intention of the Ordinance that the special interests of any particular association of seamen should be represented on the Seamen's Registry Board. Section 3 (2) (c) of the Ordinance only provides for the appointment of three persons representing seamen on the Board. Suggestions of names for the appointment of persons representing all seamen on the Board were submitted to me by the Seamen's Council of Action on which the Chinese Seafarers' Association is represented.