LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS

Dr Chau Sik Ting asked the Minister for Trade and Industry, in view of the widespread use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and the possible dangers associated with its use, what steps are being taken to protect the public to curb improper decanting by unscrupulous traders.

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: I am grateful to the Member for Thomson for raising this question. I can assure him that my Ministry is as concerned as he is about the possible dangers that can arise from the use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). LPG is a highly inflammable fuel and approximately 60 per cent of households in Singapore use it for their domestic cooking.

There have been reports of unscrupulous operators decanting LPG from large industrial cylinders into small cylinders using improvised equipment without paying attention to safety. The danger arises when the valves of the cylinders are tampered with during the improper decanting. Gas leakages arising from tampered valves can cause serious accidents endangering not only the operators but also innocent consumers.

My Ministry takes a serious view of these dangerous practices. We have consulted the oil companies and relevant Government bodies on ways to eradicate improper decanting of LPG and protect the safety of the public. My Ministry has decided that it is in the public's interest that the LPG trade be regulated through licensing of all suppliers and dealers of LPG in Singapore. The licensing will compel suppliers and dealers to run a clean and honest operation and comply with certain safety standards including the use of security-valve sealing. The requirements for suppliers and dealers to be licensed are set out below.

My Ministry will be enacting a set of Regulations governing the sale of LPG in Singapore under the Restrictions on the Supply, Distribution and Use of Petroleum and Electricity Act, 1973. Anyone who contravenes the Regulations will face a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment for a term of two years or both such fine and imprisonment.

It is proposed to bring the Sale of LPG Regulations into effect on 5 September 1983. To avoid disruption to the trade and inconvenience to consumers, existing suppliers and dealers of LPG will be given a three-month grace period from 5 September 1983 to apply for their licences. The Domestic Trade Section of my Ministry will administer and enforce the Regulations.