Minister Lim Hng Kiang's written reply to Parliament Question on measures to ensure competitive pricing of petrol

Minister Lim Hng Kiang's written reply to Parliament Question on measures to ensure competitive pricing of petrol

Question

Dr Teo Ho Pin: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) in the past three years, how many motorists were issued summonses for infringing the three-quarter fuel tank rule at our immigration and customs checkpoints; and (b) what measures is the Ministry taking to ensure competitive pricing of fuel prices in Singapore.

Reply by Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Lim Hng Kiang

1. Dr Teo Ho Pin has asked for the number of summonses issued in the past three years for infringements of the three-quarter tank rule. Singapore Customs has clarified that there are none as the Customs Act was only recently amended to allow the issuing of ticket summonses. Singapore Customs will start issuing ticket summonses for the offence only from June 2012. However, Singapore Customs reported that about 3,000 persons per year were offered compositions to settle the case out-of-court. The composition amounts range from $100 for first-time offenders, to $500 for third-time offenders.

2. Dr Teo also asked what measures my Ministry takes to ensure competitive pricing of petrol. The Government maintains competitiveness in the petrol market by making sure that there are no anti-competitive practices that keep prices artificially high. The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) conducted an inquiry into the retail petrol market in Singapore in 2010. Based on the facts and data gathered, CCS did not find any evidence that the petrol players had engaged in anti-competitive collusive behaviour.

3. The Government will continue to monitor developments in this market and CCS will not hesitate to take action if there is evidence that market players are colluding to fix prices.