The Government Printing Office was established during the Straits Settlement period, in 1867 under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department. It was administered by the Government Printer, Singapore who was accountable to the Honourable Colonial Secretary for the efficiency of the office. It was housed in the present Parliament Secretariat Office block in High Street prior to 1930s, and subsequently moved to the premises in Upper Serangoon Road. It functioned as the Singapore Government?s central organization responsible for all printing work from Government Gazettes, Bills, Ordinances, School and Government examination papers and syllabuses, directories, departmental annual reports, Legislative Assembly debates, statistical publications, scientific works, official forms, revenue receipts, account books, registers, to invitation cards, publicity posters, booklets and pamphlets. During the Japanese Occupation (1942 ? 1945), the plant was utilized extensively by the Japanese. Thereafter, it continued its production during the postwar era until 1 July 1973, when it became a private printing company and subsequently renamed as Singapore National Printers (Pte) Ltd.
