RICE STOCKS AND PRICES (Safeguards)

Mr Goh Tong Liang asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether, in view of the Indonesian situation, he is taking or has taken steps to safeguard the Colony against depletion of its stock of rice and against the rise in the price.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: Sir, there is no danger at present of a shortage of rice in Singapore. Merchants today are holding large stocks in the godowns - a considerable quantity of which was imported for re-export.

The Government is always alert to the necessity of maintaining adequate stocks in the Colony for local consumption and therefore not only is a day-to-day check maintained on imports and re-exports of rice to ensure that adequate stocks are retained in Singapore but also, as the hon. Member is fully aware, Government, in spite of strong trade and also political opposition from the hon. Member himself, maintains a rice stock-pile so that the people of Singapore are safeguarded from a sudden shortage of their staple food.

The price of rice is beyond the control of the Government. It is dependent on the surplus available in rice-producing countries and on the demand from consumer countries. The indicated exportable surplus available for this year in rice-producing countries in the East is less than last year and as a result prices of all types of rice have increased.