INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT - SURVEY BY EXPERT

10.27 a.m.

The Minister for Commerce and Industry (Mr J. M. Jumabhoy): Mr Speaker, Sir, in outlining the Singapore Government's policy for the promotion. encouragement and development of local industries, I said to hon. Members in this House on 7th November last year that Government intended that a survey of the Colony's industrial potential and markets should be carried out and that for this purpose enquiries were being made in order to obtain the services of an expert to undertake such a survey. Hon. Members will be pleased to know that the Government of Canada has agreed to make available to us for this purpose the services of Colonel Lyle under the Colombo Plan in order to advise the Singapore Government generally on industrial development policy and to make recommendations for its implementation.

Colonel Lyle has held very senior positions in industrial development work in Canada and in England, and has had wide experience in carrying out area development programmes which are generally considered to be the most practical and businesslike approach to handling problems connected with industrial development. In 1956 Colonel Lyle was the first recipient of the Canadian Industrial Development Award, an award made annually to a Canadian who, in the opinion of the Canadian Board of Award, has made the most significant contribution to the industrial development of Canada in the public interest.

Colonel Lyle is expected to arrive in Malaya in February next year.