GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT POLICY (Statement by the Minister for Communications and Works)

10.11 a.m.

Mr Francis Thomas: I have to make a statement on transport policy, Sir, and I must, with regret, inform this House that I have not been able, after very full study, consultation and discussion, to find any way of rationalising Singapore's bus system without heavy cost to public funds, involving at least some millions of dollars. The House is also aware that the funds available for this sort of purpose are limited at any time, and especially limited in the trading and economic conditions of 1958. We have not got the necessary cash. The result is that I am not able now to go forward with the Government's policy of rationalisation and unification as a basis of later full nationalisation. The effect of this will be that we shall have for the time being to make the best we can of the existing bus system, with all its defects. This will not be easy but it must be tried.

During the past three and a half years we have in my Ministry covered a great deal of the preliminary work on which future action for unification will depend. We are now considering what amendments must be made to match the Omnibus Services Licensing Authority to changed circumstances. Probably the Omnibus Services Licensing Authority, somewhat adapted in form, will have to be used as the main instrument of policy pending provision of the necessary money for unification.

I propose seeking a new transport adviser to join my Ministry for two years under the Colonial Development and Welfare Plan. He will assist us in the day-to-day decisions necessary during the interim period prior to unification. He will also continue the preliminary work needed as the basis for unification.

Hon. Members will be disappointed that execution of our policy has to be deferred. I am sorry about that. They will, however, remember, I hope, that it is only deferred. The essential obstacle is lack of money. When money can be found, I do not foresee any other insoluble difficulty.

I have tried to keep this statement as short as possible, Mr Speaker, so that hon. Members can fix their minds on the main problem of finance without being confused by a mass of detail or by a long history of all the different work done and action taken during the past three and a half years. Hon. Members may, however, want clarification or more details on certain points. If they will say what clarification they want, I will do my best, with your permission, Sir, to satisfy them.

Mr Lim Choon Mong (Serangoon): Mr Speaker, Sir, arising out of this, is this not a case of the Government negating its own policy, and I would say that this is a case of -

Mr Speaker: Order. The hon. Member must not embark on a debate. If he has a question to ask, he can ask it.

Mr Lim Choon Mong: The question is this: is this not a case of negating the policy that the Government had before?

Mr Francis Thomas: No, Sir. It is not the Government that has negatived the policy but the economic situation that has done so.