SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

7.52 p.m.

The Minister for Health (Mr Yong Nyuk Lin): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

This amendment Bill to the Sale of Food and Drugs Ordinance (Chapter 148 of the Revised Edition) seeks to make, two simple amendments, to section 28 of the principal Ordinance.

It is provided in section 28, subsection (1) para. (l) of the principal Ordinance that `the Minister may prescribe fines not exceeding $500 for a breach of any regulation. It is now proposed under clause 2 (a) of the Bill to increase this maximum fine to $1,000 in order to bring it in line with Regulation 60 of the Food and Drugs Regulations, 1957, which states that:-

"Every person who commits a breach of any of these Regulations for which a penalty is not expressly provided shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars."

Offences against the Food and Drugs Control Regulations often produce substantial profits. Therefore, the corresponding maximum fine should be raised so as to act as a deterrent against dishonest traders and unscrupulous manufacturers who intend to mislead, cheat or do harm to the public. This heavier penalty for offenders will also help the officers of the Health Ministry to ensure that a high standard of food quality is being maintained throughout the State.

The second proposed amendment to section 28 is a procedural one which seeks at, streamlining the manner by which regulations may be made. The present provision in the principal Ordinance section 28 subsection (3) requires that all such regulations shall be laid before the Legislative. Assembly and no such regulation shall come into force until approved by a resolution of the Assembly. The proposed amendment under clause 2 (b) of the Bill seeks to simplify all this procedure `by requiring only publication in the Government Gazette and its presentation to the Assembly, as soon as may be possible, after publication. This follows current practice for subsidiary legislation.

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 Yong Nyuk Lin].

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