TAXI DRIVERS' LICENCES (Particulars)

Mr Teo Chong Tee asked the Minister for National Development and Communications (a) how many taxi driving licences were issued in the first five months of 1978 and how many more are expected to be issued in the remaining months of the year: and (b) what was the total number of taxi driving licence holders as at 31st May, 1978.

Mr Ong Teng Cheong (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Sir, for the period January to May 1978, 2,200 new taxi driver's licences were issued. From June to the end of this year, another 2,000 such licences will be issued. This number will be sufficient to provide drivers to man the 1,400 new taxis to be issued this year.

At the end of May 1978, there were 16,500 holders of taxi driving licences.