MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

11.00 a.m.

The Minister for Commerce and Industry (Mr J. M. Jumabhoy): Sir, I move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

This Bill is connected with the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill, 1959, which my colleague, the Chief Secretary, moved just now. This Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill proposes, inter alia, the repeal of sections 11 and 12 of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Ordinance so as to put into effect the termination of the Johore Straits Control Scheme. These two sections provide for the establishment of the Port of Singapore North, and require that vessels arriving and departing from places within this port must submit arrival reports to the Harbour Master, Singapore North, from whom they must also obtain port clearances. This is in accordance with the procedure for the main Port of Singapore.

Section 427 of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance dealing with port clearances is so worded that they must be obtained before leaving any port in Singapore Island. But section 423 of the same Ordinance does not specifically lay down the same requirements in regard to reporting arrivals. The Bill I now propose is designed to ensure that reports of arrival are required equally with port clearances, to enable the Port Officer to be advised of shipping movements in Singapore waters. I consider that this is a most desirable procedure. At the same time, I wish to assure this House that this Bill will not be applied so as to hamper small craft of under five tons, especially those of our fishermen in proceeding on their lawful mission. In consequence, I propose to use my powers under the relevant sections of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance to ensure a general exemption of vessels under five tons so that the important section of our productive industry constituted by our fishermen shall not be hindered in the movements necessary for their valuable work.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole Assembly.

Assembly immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill.-[Mr J. M. Jumabhoy].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read the Third time and passed.