TRAVEL AGENTS BILL (As reported from Select Committee)

Order for Third Reading read.

3.41 p.m.

The Minister for Finance (Mr Hon Sui Sen): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time."

The Travel Agents Bill was committed to a Select Committee by a Resolution of Parliament passed on 19th August, 1975.

Two written representations were received and considered by the Select Committee.

The Select Committee, in its Report to Parliament on 28th October, 1975, has not recommended any amendment to the Travel Agents Bill, which is therefore presented again in its original form.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question proposed.

Encik Rahmat Bin Kenap Al-Haj (Geylang Serai): (In Malay): Mr Speaker, Sir, according to a report in today's Berita Harian, about 300 pilgrims who were originally scheduled to leave Singapore for Jeddah by plane on Sunday morning and last night were delayed, the reasons for which are not known. Payment for their passage has been made to a travel agency at a very early date. I would like to ask the Minister whether the passage of this Bill will ensure that these pilgrims will be able to get to Mecca to perform the Haj this year. And can this law be enforced to prevent a recurrence of this nature?

Mr Hon Sui Sen: Sir, I do not think I can say very much in this respect other than that the matter should be referred to the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board which will administer the Bill. I expect that the Board will look into the matter and take whatever measures are appropriate.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed