STATE MARINE ENSIGN

4.52 p.m.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Dr Toh Chin Chye): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That this Assembly adopts the State Marine Ensign as described and shown in Paper Misc. 6 of 1960.

Sir, the House is aware that Singapore is the fifth largest port in the world. Every day, a large number of vessels enter port and leave the harbour. It is an international custom for all vessels to fly a flag of that State which it is visiting. It is desirable, therefore, that in Singapore we should have the possibility of distinguishing vessels which are owned by the Singapore Government from visiting vessels and other trading vessels which may be registered in Singapore.

The Singapore Marine Ensign will be flown by all marine craft in the service of the Government or a statutory board, say, for example, when the Port Authority is formed, light-houses, signal stations, piers and wharves owned or operated by the Government or statutory boards.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly adopts the State Marine Ensign as described and shown in Paper Misc. 6 of 1960.