E.W. Barker
Singapore
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." This is a simple Bill which seeks to amend section 33 of the Land Acquisition Act on the amount of compensation payable to owners of land compulsorily acquired under the Act.”
“For the five-year period from 1st July, 1981 to 30th June, 1986, the HDB demolished a total of 8,098 units. As the HDB's new accounting system was only implemented from 1st April, 1985, the Board does not have ready information on the value of flats demolished prior to 1st April, 1985. RELOCATION OF CREMATORIUMS 4.”
“The HDB did not allocate any MP's office to the previous PAP MPs for Anson and Potong Pasir constituencies. NUMBER OF H.D.B. UNITS DEMOLISHED 3.”
“I would not know. Why don't you ask them? I don't know. Sir, to put things in a nutshell, it is the legal profession amongst all the professions that help in the administration of Singapore. Doctors help to cure you of diseases.”
“I am not saying it's wrong. I am not telling you stories. I am relating. So they decided to take us on. When we went into Select Committee, the first day and the later part of the second day, there was confrontation between the Committee and the lawyers.”
“As the Member for Anson would know, the Minister for Law is not in charge of prosecutions or the conduct of any criminal proceedings in court, nor does he give any directives on these matters.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,152 lines we hold for E.W. Barker, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 22 of 44.
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there are plans to acquire land on the eastern side of Jalan Eunos in the Kampong Kembangan Constituency for the continuation of the Pan Island Expressway and Jalan Nanas, both from Jalan Eunos towards the Kampong Chai Chee development. HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Allocation of flats for rental or purchase) 11. Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board (a) how many applicants, who have registered to rent (i) 2-room flats; and (ii) 3-room fiats, have been on the waiting list for (1) 2 years or more; and (ii) less than 2 years, but had not given any undertaking of their willingness to wait indefinitely for allocation; and (b) whether priority in the allocation of flats will be given to such applicants if they have registered to purchase the flats.”
“Resolved, That the following Address in reply to the speech of the President be agreed to:- "We, the Parliament of the Republic of Singapore, express our thanks to the President for the speech which he delivered on behalf of the Government at the opening of the Second Session of this Parliament." ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn to a date to be fixed."--[Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Thirty-five minutes past Four o'clock p.m, to a date to be fixed. ”
“I think our civil servants should be paid more or given more perks, but the question is: how do we start and how do we allocate these flats? `There are a few thousand civil servants. Those with incomes under $1,500 per month can apply for Housing and Development Board accommodation now. The Housing and Development Board can build flats for civil servants, but unless we are to supply houses to all civil servants within a certain category, how do we allocate these flats? Do we say first come first served? Do we say the most efficient get priority? How do we decide who are the most efficient? Or do we merely ballot and they take their flats by chance? These are some of the difficulties that have been presented to us. We have not found a satisfactory solution, but the matter is being looked into. The Member for Sembawang is looking unhappy, perhaps because I have not replied to any of his queries. The Member inquired why there was no reference to rural development in the addendum of the Ministry of National Development. The addendum was a brief one and we could not touch on all points in the Ministry, but I understand that the Member wants more money for rural development. So do I. I hope he will help me in preparing a paper for the consideration of the Minister for Finance. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, I am sure all Members will agree with me when I say that the Republic of Singapore approaches its sixth National Day with increasing confidence. On that note, I join other Members in thanking the President for his speech. Question put, and agreed to.”
“B, charges for the first block of units at a lower rate followed by the second and subsequent blocks at a higher rate. This would provide an incentive to consumers to reduce consumption. The Member for Whampoa is looking a little puzzled. I hope I have not misquoted him. Anyway, I think it is a good proposal but requires examination, as any tariff must be framed in such a manner as to avoid any possible lowering of the standard of cleanliness and hygiene. Sir, whilst on the question of water, may I join the Member for Bukit Panjang in thanking members of the public for their co-operation in saving water. Daily consumption has dropped from a maximum of 130 million gallons to about 95 million gallons and today hovers around 100 million gallons. The efforts of members of the public are commendable and show a healthy and favourable response to the exhortations of the P.U.B. If the consumption does not increase considerably, I think we can hold off water rationing until the rains come in early October or November. The Member for Bras Basah suggested that we form a permanent committee to look after the question of resettlement. We will consider this suggestion. But before I pass it to my experts, perhaps the Member will let me know whether this permanent committee to look into resettlement problems should confine its efforts to cases of Government resettlement only, or is it to include people resettled by the private sector'? The Member for Moulmein complained about Public Relations Officers. I think it is the practice of some Ministers to hide under the nom de plume of their P.R.O. The Member's suggestion is a good one but there are P.R.O.s who do much more than merely write letters to the press. As for houses for civil servants, this is a good idea.”
“Government has taken action to remove gradually all standpipes and is encouraging individual service connections so that in time of water rationing, it will be easier not only to devise a fair system of rationing but also avoid the considerable inconvenience and hardship to poorer persons who have to queue up at standpipes. As for desalinisation, the costs are at the moment prohibitive. As for using sea water for flushing toilets, there are also difficulties. Firstly, corrosion of pipes and fittings; secondly, the cost of construction of a second system of pipes for distribution; and, thirdly, the question of disposal of the waste after the sea water has been used. A separate sewage plant will have to be built unless the waste is to be dumped into the sea to pollute our sea shore and the waters surrounding us. Industrial water is already being used at Jurong where the plant has a treatment capacity of 10 million gallons per day. It is a pity that not all the 10 million gallons are being used every day and most of it goes down the Jurong River. This capacity can be stepped up and the surplus used for flushing of toilets. But here again a dual system of distribution would be required. Perhaps a pilot scheme can be introduced either at Jurong or the new towns in Woodlands and Telok Blangah to use industrial water for flushing of toilets. The difficulties are not insurmountable and the possibilities are being examined by my Ministry together with the Public Utilities Board and the Jurong Town Corporation. The Member for Whampoa, I believe, suggested that it would be desirable to introduce a step-tariff system. If I may explain, this is a system where the P.U.”
“Not only will there be better flats by way of design and comfort, but there will also be better facilities for recreation like parks, playgrounds, swimming pools and community centres. The buildings will also be spaced further apart from one another so that there will be more open green spaces in between. The Member for Bukit Panjang touched on our water problem. He can rest assured that the problem is being tackled on all fronts. Two schemes, the Kranji/Pandan and the Pierce extension, are at present being implemented and, when completed, should add Considerably to our water stocks. In addition, a reservoir at Bedok will be built by the Housing Board in conjunction with the Public Utilities Board in connection with the land reclamation scheme from Bedok to Tanah Merah. In order to obtain fill for the reclamation, we have to dig a hole. Why not turn that hole into a reservoir? Development of water resources in the off-shore islands is also being carefully examined, including the possibility of connecting the two ends of Pulau Ubin to the mainland and tapping rivers to fill the reservoir after the sea water has been pumped out. But there may he difficulties - difficulties of sea water seeping in again, difficulties in respect of the shipping lanes as they may hive to be diverted unless locks are constructed, and the diversion of shipping lanes will require the co-operation of neighbouring countries. May `I now turn to the question of conservation of water?”
“For example, the Queenstown flats are better than those in Bukit Ho Swee. But the Member for Bukit Ho Swee is not to blame. And perhaps Toa Payoh is better than Queenstown. The Bukit Ho Swee housing estate was built in a hurry after the big fire. Hence the poor conditions in some parts of the estate. But the Member for Telok Blangah and the Member for Bukit Panjang can rest assured that the flats in Telok Blangah, which incidentally will look over the sea, and Woodlands, which will look over the causeway, will be even better than the existing ones. An hon. Member: Hear, hear!”
“The Member for Katong complained that the Board has not provided parks or recreational facilities within the area. This is true. But the Member will be pleased to know that the Housing Board and the Planning Department are looking into the possibility of providing recreational facilities, including a swim-riling pool, on the vacant land opposite the Tanjong Rhu Housing Estate across Mountbatten Road. Back to the Member for Jurong who complained of the location of schools in respect of resettlement areas. This is really not a matter for my Ministry, bat one for the Ministry of Education. I understand that the location of schools is determined, amongst other factors, by the availability of suitable sites and, as far as possible, proximity to pockets of population centres. Resettlement in selected areas has resulted in changes and shifts in pockets of population, and it will not be possible to build a new school in every resettlement area, especially if schools already exist nearby. But in the planning of large resettlement estates, school sites have been provided, for instance, the Tai Chong School at Choa Chu Kang Road, the Loke Yang Public School and Kay Hwa School, First Branch, at Lim Chu Kang. A committee has been established, comprising officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education and officers from the Urban Renewal Department and Planning Department, to look into this question more comprehensively. The Member for Bukit Panjang hoped that Woodlands would be a better place than Queenstown or Toa Payoh. I think his sentiments are shared by the Member for Telok Blangah. The Housing Board has had more than 10 years of experience and has continually striven by trial and sometimes by error to improve the standard of public housing.”
“The instalment for the purchase of a 3-room improved flat for a duration of 20 years is only $47 per month. Therefore, it would not be too difficult for those who are in a position to rent either a 2-room or a 3-room flat to purchase a flat. The Member for Bukit Ho Swee asked why we do not build more flats. The target is 100,000 units for the next five years. He asked, "Why do you not increase this number to, say 125,000 units?" I wish we could. At present, the building industry is already overloaded. Shortages in both skilled and unskilled workers and building materials, including cement, on which Members touched, have occurred from time to time and are becoming a more common occurrence. Any further increase in the building programme of the Housing and Development Board will only worsen the situation and accelerate the pace of inflation of construction costs. However. Members perhaps can take a little satisfaction when I say that after 1973, when a substantial number of office buildings and hotels will have been completed and if there is a decline in the building activity in the Republic, consideration will certainly be given to increasing or accelerating the building programme of the Housing and Development Board. As from the 1st of July, the Government allowed the income group of $1,200 to go up to $1,500 per month in order to enable a wage-earner to purchase his own flat. I am asked why we do not extend this limit further. I think the answer is obvious. It would lead to an increase in the number of applicants already on the waiting list. The fact is that the demand for Housing Board flats considerably exceeds the supply. If I may go on to Tanjong Rhu, Sir.”
“I believe the Member for Tiong Bahru raised two particular points amongst others - namely, that in resettlement cases, people have been offered shops even if they do not want them, and when they find alternative premises of their own, the Planning Department takes enforcement action on unauthorised change of use. Sir, when a census is taken by the Resettlement Department on the clearance of shops, shopkeepers are requested to indicate the locality they would prefer. However, it is not physically possible to offer alternative shops in the selected localities, in order to facilitate early resettlement, the shopkeepers are in fact offered alternative shops in various localities. Some of them accept the offer while others decline it. But the Housing arid Development Board has not at any time forced any shopkeeper to accept any offer which he does not like. As for those who find alternative accommodation of their own, they would be well advised to consult the Planning Department before establishing their businesses elsewhere. As Members know, there is zoning under the Master Plan in Singapore, and where the use is contrary to the zoning under the Master Plan, the Planning Department has no alternative but to take enforcement action. Otherwise we would have to scrap the Master Plan. The Member for Tiong Bahru also complained of residents in one-room flats who have requested for transfer to 2-room or 3-room flats but have to wait for a long time. From the figures I have quoted, I think the Member has got his answer. But perhaps the Member could encourage some of his constituents to purchase Housing Board flats instead of renting them. The rent for a 2-room flat is $40 per month, and that for a 3-room flat is $60 per month.”
“The Board has not sold shops and is not at the moment in favour of selling them for the following reasons: Firstly, the policy of the Government is to subsidise the rental and even selling prices of flats to enable the lower income group to live in decent housing. However, non-residential accommodation, such as shops, factories and godowns, is not entitled to public subsidy and, therefore, such shops are normally rented out at market rentals. Secondly, if the shops are to be offered for sale, they will have to be sold at market prices. In fact, the Board did conduct a small survey last year and the result has revealed that the majority of shopkeepers are not in favour of purchasing shops at market prices. Thirdly, the sale of shops will lead to the loss of control over their use. Members are aware that in all shopping centres in our housing estates, the Board has always maintained a diversity of trade so as to provide a complete service to the residents. If shops are to be sold, they can be sold again, and those trades which can afford to pay higher rentals, such as banks and finance companies, may squeeze out the smaller trades like stationery and barber shops from the shopping centre. If this happens, then in the end our residents will not be provided with full services in the shopping centres. The present policy of the Board in renting out shop premises has worked out quite satisfactorily, and it appears that there is no valid reason to revise it. For resettlement cases, the Government is now granting rental concessions for five years, starting with a 50 per cent rental for the first year, and it is only in the sixth year that the resettlement cases pay the normal rent.”
“About 18,000 of them want three-room flats and another 517 want three-room point block flats. About 7,900 applicants want four-room flats and about 2,800 want five-room flats. In addition, there are about 1,323 applicants who want to purchase existing flats. In all, therefore, we have more than 30,000 applicants who desire to buy, and nearly 19,000 who want to rent. In these circumstances, if the Board were to grant priority to tenants of private property who are required to move out by private developers, the list would be even longer and those already in the queue would howl. If I may come to the question of resettlement, Sir. The Member for Jurong has complained, and rightly so, that the Resettlement Department team in Jurong is under strength. We have recruited young people to serve as resettlement officers. Unfortunately, they in turn have been "recruited" or conscripted into national service. When we train more, more have been conscripted! But the delay in the payment of resettlement compensation is not mainly due to the shortage of staff. Although there are vacancies in the department, the situation there is not any worse off than in any other Government department. The delay in the payment of resettlement compensation is mainly due to the delay in resettlement cases accepting alternative accommodation or disputing the quantum of compensation. I think the Member is aware that payment of compensation to the settlers can only take place when they have accepted alternative accommodation or are about to vacate the site. Several Members have asked why the Housing and Development Board does not sell its shops to the occupiers.”
“Under the Act, controlled premises are those built before 7th September, 1947. The result of control means that not only the rents are controlled but also the tenants of controlled premises cannot be evicted by the landlord. In the result, the landlord has to pay compensation to the tenant if he desires him to move out. There is no need for the tenant to move out unless he considers the compensation adequate. In fact, some tenants have held their landlords to ransom. If the tenant accepts such compensation, then he has been well paid and he should not ask the Housing Board for special priority. He is not debarred from applying for accommodation in public housing, but he does not deserve to jump the queue. In the same way, tenants of controlled premises living in the Golden Shoe area are paid compensation under the Control of Rent (Special Provisions) Act by those landlords who desire to evict these tenants and rebuild. Some of these affected tenants, after being paid compensation, have applied to my Ministry to be allowed to jump the queue for Housing Board accommodation. Their requests have been refused because the Housing Board can find no justification to give them priority. Their circumstances are certainly not on all fours with those of fire victims or those evicted under the urban renewal schemes, because, as I have said before, State land is not bound by the Control of Rent Ordinance and different rates of compensation are paid for resettlement therefrom. Members may be interested to know the figures in respect of housing applicants as at the 31st July last month. They are as follows. There are a total of 18,912 applications to rent, of which about 8,705 applicants want one-room flats. For applications to purchase, there are in all 29,420.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it was so refreshing listening to the last speaker that I think 1 need hardly wind up this debate. But if I choose to remain silent, Members will go away with no replies to their questions on the Ministry of National Development. First, may I, as Leader of the House, thank all Members who have taken part in this debate, especially the Backbenchers. Some of their criticisms were constructive, some were not so constructive, but none were destructive. As usual, as the last speaker has pointed out, the debate ranged over a wide range of matters concerning all Ministries. Several issues were repeated by several Members and, as usual, the Ministry of National Development attracted the most attention. I will now attempt to reply to some, but not all, of the points raised. If I choose to reply to all of them, Members will be here the whole night. My replies will not satisfy all Members of Parliament, but if there is some particular problem in his constituency which remains unresolved, the M.P, is free to raise the matter further directly with me or with my Parliamentary Secretary. If I may refer to the Member for Toa Payoh first. He suggested that special priority for public housing should be given to occupiers of homes who are evicted by private developers. I believe he went on to say that though these people were compensated, there were those amongst them who received only token sums and, therefore, should be given special consideration or priority for public housing similar to those affected by Government urban renewal schemes or those whose homes have been burnt down by fire. The Member is aware that there is an Act called the Control of Rent Ordinance in Singapore. This Act does not apply to State land.”
“Tomorrow, Sir. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." -[Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Four o'clock p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members to move a motion for the adjournment of Parliament earlier than eight o'clock tonight, namely at 4.00 p.m.?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Kallang Park is being developed into a major sports and entertainment centre. This development, however, does not affect the shipyards and slipways in the Kallang Park Industrial Estate. But the road network plan of the area includes a major expressway over the East Coast reclaimed land into the city, entailing a crossing at Kallang Basin. Whether this crossing should take the form of a bridge, a tunnel or a causeway, is being evaluated in the light of a plan to create a lake at the Kallang River mouth for recreational purposes and as a probable additional source of water supply. The retention of shipyards and slip-ways in the Kallang Industrial Basin area will give rise to problems of water and visual pollution and jeopardise the long-term plans for this area. It is likely that existing shipyards and slip-ways in the Kallang Park Industrial Estate will have to be resisted elsewhere in five to eight years' time. ADJOURNMENT MOTION (Business Motion)”
“Sir, the emporium will comprise 136 lock-up shops on the first floor and 176 hawker stalls on the ground floor. As for the second question, the soil investigations have revealed that the length of piling for high-rise flats will have to be more than 150 feet deep. In the circumstances, the piling cost for each 4-room flat in this area will be about $6,000 as against the average cost of about $1,500 for piling in other areas. DEVELOPMENT IN KALLANG PARK (Effect on shipyards and slipways in Kallang Park Industrial Estate) The following Question stood in the name of Mr Ng Yeow Chong - 3. To ask the Minister for Law and National Development whether development in Kallang Park and its vicinity will affect the future of the shipyards and shipways in the Kallang Park Industrial Estate. Mr Hwang Soo Jin rose -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Board proposed to build a 2-storey hawkers' emporium together with 16-storey flats above on a site in the Old Kallang Airport Estate. It has now been decided to abandon the construction of high-rise flats and build only the 2-storey hawkers' emporium. Investigations have revealed that the soil condition in the area is extremely poor, and extensive piling will be required to support a high-rise building. The Board will be calling for tenders at the end of August to construct the proposed 2-storey hawkers' emporium. The project is expected to be completed by early 1972.”
“Tomorrow, Sir. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." -[Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Thirty minutes past Four o'clock p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members to move a motion for the adjournment of Parliament earlier than eight o'clock tonight, namely, 4.30 p.m.?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Urban Renewal Department has plans to build a market on a vacant site between North Bridge Road and Rochore Canal in the vicinity of Palembang Housing Estate. Piling for the project is expected to begin towards the end of this year, and it is expected that the market will be completed by the end of next year. The market will provide about 450 stalls to resettle hawkers in Precinct North 1 and the stallholders in Clyde Terrace Market. BILL INTRODUCED 2.33 p.m. NATIONAL STADIUM CORPORATION BILL "to establish a National Stadium Corporation and for purposes connected therewith", recommendation of President signified; presented by the Minister for Social Affairs (Inche Othman Bin Wok); read the First time, to be read a Second time on the next available sitting of Parliament, and to be printed. ADJOURNMENT MOTION (Business Motion)”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as the Member is aware, the Urban Renewal Department is a department of the Housing and Development Board which is a statutory body. On the other hand, the Planning Department is a department of the Government. The Member's proposal for merger has many implications which will have to be carefully examined before a decision can be made. However, the feasibility of the proposal will be examined by my Ministry. PALEMBANG HOUSING ESTATE (Market) 2. Mr Low Yong Nguan asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board whether the Board plans to build a market in the vicinity of the present Palembang Housing Estate.”
“Tomorrow, Sir. ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn."- [Mr Barker]. Adjourned accordingly at Thirty minutes past Four o'clock p.m. Appendix 1 - SLATER, WALKER'S TAKE-OVER OF HAW PAR(Cols. 137 - 140) Appendix 2 - ANNOUNCEMENT(Cols 141 - 142) Appendix 3 - PRESS RELEASE(Cols 141 - 142)”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members to move a motion for the adjournment of Parliament earlier than eight o'clock tonight, namely, at 4.30 p.m.?”
“The Port of Singapore Authority will reclaim the foreshore and seabed as agent of the Government. The cost is estimated at about $20 million. The fill will be taken from the surplus earth cut in the development of the hilly areas of Telok Blangah and its vicinity. The reclamation is expected to be completed in about two years. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Ordinance (Chapter 246), approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the foreshore and seabed at Pasir Panjang containing an area of approximately 91 acres as shown edged in red on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. PRESIDENT'S SPEECH Debate on the Address (First Day) 3.17 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the following motion standing in my name, namely, That this Parliament, in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Ordinance (Chapter 246), approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the foreshore and seabed at Pasir Panjang containing an area of approximately 91 acres as shown edged in red on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/71" which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore. Sir, as a result of rapid industrialisation and expansion of trade in recent years, the need for more warehousing facilities has become acute. The Port of Singapore Authority, which has been assigned the task of developing a new warehousing complex, proposes to develop the area along Pasir Panjang Road as shown edged in yellow, coloured purple and brown, and edged in red on the plan marked "LAND OFFICE REXCLAMATION PLAN NO. 1/71", a copy of which is displayed in the library of this House for the information of Members for this purpose. This area has been chosen because of its close proximity to the harbour, the railways, the Jurong Industrial Estate, the proposed container depot at Clementi Road, and other facilities relevant to warehousing. It comprises State lands (shown edged in yellow on the plan which will be alienated to the Authority), private lands (coloured purple on the plan which are being acquired for the Authority), the reclaimed land (coloured brown, about 4.5 acres in area), and foreshore and seabed (edged in red on the plan). Sir, in order to enable the development to be carried out, it is necessary to reclaim the foreshore and seabed, as shown edged in red on the plan, the area to be reclaimed being approximately 91 acres in area.”
“Mr Speaker. Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in my name as it appears on the Order Paper. Sir, in order to provide our citizens with additional facilities for recreational purposes, the Public Utilities Board is developing parts of the catchment areas of MacRitchie and Seletar Reservoirs into public parks. In fact, hundreds of people visit these reservoirs during week-days and thousands during weekends. As parts of these catchment areas form part of the Natute Reserves, it is necessary to delete these areas from the Schedule to the Nature Reserves Ordinance in the manner provided under section 4 thereof. Hence the motion. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, * That this Parliament, pursuant to subsection (I) of section 4 of the Nature Reserves Ordinance (Chapter 235), resolves that paragraph I of the Schedule to the said Ordinance be deleted and the following substituted therefor :- `All those pieces of land situate in the Mukims of Sembawang, Mandai, Ulu Kalang, l3ukit Timah and Toa Payoh in the Republic of Singapore forming part of the Public Utilities Board Catchment area described as follows: - Approximate Area Lot No. Mukim Acres Roods Perches 13-2 Sembawang No. XIII 3 3 13.60 Part of 13-3 Sembawang No. XIII 476 2 - Part of 31-2 Mandai No. XIV 2,321 0 - 28 Ulu Kalang No. XV 3 2 34.00 29 Ulu Kalang No. XV 0 0 12.00 30 Ulu Kalang No. XV 5 1 14.00 13-6 Ulu Kalang No. XV 3 2 09.20 Parts of 155 Ulu Kalang No. XV 2,667 3 11.00 66 Bukit Timah No. XVI 576 0 - Parts of 115-2 Toa Payoh No. XVII 650 3 23.00 The bounderies of these areas are more particularly delineated and edged green on Certified Plan No. 13241 filed in the Office of the Chief Surveyor, Singapore. RECLAMATION (PASIR PANJANG) 3.13 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members to move a motion for the adjournment of Parliament earlier than eight o'clock tonight namely, at 4.30 p.m.?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we have come to the end of a long session and Members of this House have asked me to express and record a vote of thanks to you, Sir, and the members of your staff. Hon. Members: Hear, hear! Mr Barker: Sir, your Clerks have been of considerable assistance to Members and have always rendered service with a smile. Your interpreters have been coherent, though their interpretation has had to be simultaneous. Your Parliamentary reporters have, within 24 hours, produced highly accurate copies of proceedings for the benefit of Members, and Hansard has always been prepared and printed with expediency. Above all, Sir, you have treated some Members so kindly, dealt with others most tolerantly, and been patient and understanding throughout every sitting. Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn sine die." Mr Speaker: Honourable Members, I do not think there is any need for me to say anything except that it has been a pleasure listening to some of you. And I am sure my Clerks, interpreters, reporters, and I myself have learnt a lot about what to say and what not to say! Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament do now adjourn sine die. Adjourned accordingly sine die at Thirteen minutes to Three o'clock p.m. ASSENTS TO BILLS PASSED The following Bills, which were passed by Parliament on 29th March, 1971, were assented to by the President on 30th March, 1971; (i) Supply Bill and (ii) Supplementary Supply Bill.”
“By "recently" I mean about a year ago, if conditions have changed, we will have another survey. Of course, the survey is not extensive throughout Singapore. It is a sample survey.”
“There are difficulties here, Sir, because when the shops are tendered, they are tendered for specific purposes, either coffee shops or some other business, and sometimes they change. Provided it is not a complete change, I think the Board will consider it. There is a committee to consider applications of this nature, but it would be, in my view, a little oppressive on the part of the Housing and Development Board, if a man is having difficulties with his business and wants to start a side line, to say, "You cannot do this." The Board can strictly do so under the terms of the tenancy where they tie him up and say, "You will only use the shop for repairing watches." The moment he branches into something else, they enforce the tenancy agreement and throw him out for breach of some terms. My own view is that we should be more reasonable. If Members come across tenants who want to change, I would suggest that they bring this to the attention of the Member for Anson who handles this matter on my behalf in the Ministry of National Development. I am sure he will give their request every consideration.”
“The Member will be interested to know that the Government has already offered and concluded one such transaction with a group of shopkeepers affected in Precinct South III, in the area bounded by Upper Hokien Street, South Bridge Road, Upper Cross Street and New Bridge Road. These shopkeepers have formed themselves into a company jointly to redevelop a site offered by Government. Plans have already been submitted by this group for the site. This is one way to assist them where we can. In addition, there is a second case. Government is also working out another pilot reallocation programme, and this is in respect of shopkeepers affected by resettlement around the area known as Precinct North III, bounded by Victoria Street, Arab Street, North Bridge Road and Rochore Road. They are affected by urban renewal. We realise that some shopkeepers have suffered as a result of being evicted from rent-controlled premises into Housing and Development Board premises, where even though we give them these concessions, they have to tender in competition with others. One way is to allow them to build their own premises and we are doing so. We have concluded a deal with one such group. There is a second project on hand and I hope there will be many more.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, in the suggestion by the Member for Sembawang that is the sale of shop premises by the Housing and Development Board to the occupiers or tenants, there is one difficulty. This is with regard to non-citizens. The Member may be interested to know that, as far as residential flats are concerned, one has to be a citizen of Singapore in order to qualify, but for shops, no question of citizenship arises. Citizens or non-citizens affected or not affected by urban renewal can tender for Housing and Development Board flats. This will raise some difficulty. The main question is whether or not these people want to buy. We have, in fact, carried out a sample survey to ascertain the wishes of these shopkeepers and the majority have expressed no desire to buy. They prefer to carry on renting on the present terms. As for the rents, the Member was concerned mainly about shopkeepers affected by urban renewal. Those affected by clearance are given concessionary rentals based on the average tendered rental, starting at 70 per cent of the average tendered rental for the first year, 80 per cent for the second year, 90 per cent for the third year, and only in the fourth year do they pay the full one hundred per cent. In other words, they are given not only priority of allocation, but also a concession on rentals, provided they are affected by some Government clearance schemes. Of course, it is admitted that many of the cases are rent-controlled premises and whatever concessionary rentals offered by the Government at present, they are still higher than the rents they previously paid. There is another method by which we are trying to help our shopkeepers if they can get together in sufficient numbers to form a company and put up their own building.”
“Sir, the first phase of the approach roads and car parks to the National Stadium was completed at the end of 1970 and is now open to the public. The second phase, including car park facilities, is expected to be completed in March 1972. The implementation of the second phase will complete the road system for the Kallang sports complex and will include another car park for a thousand cars. In addition to this, bus bays will also be provided in the car park for a bus terminus. Half of the old runway from Mountbatten Road to another road parallel to Jalan Benaan Kapal, together with a big parking scheme and other link roads, will constitute the second phase of this project. The other half of the runway will become part of the pedestrian mall in the stadium complex. At present the old runway is being used as an access into Kallang Park. However, in view of the implementation of the second phase, it is not proposed to reconstruct this runway. Traffic wanting access into Kallang Park can by-pass the runway by using Jalan Benaan Kapal. In fact, this has already been used as a bus route. In the meantime, very bad pot-holes in the runway will be patched up as and when necessary. If the Member seeks further details, I have a sketch plan which I will be glad to show to him.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I gave the Member the answer when replying to one of his questions in respect of the widening of Punggol Road. I did assure him that repairs would be undertaken to keep the roads in a satisfactory condition for use by traffic, and that a feasibility study into the widening of Punggol Road was being done. I agree with the Member that quite a few of our roads are bumpy, as a result of some department digging them up either in respect of water mains, electricity mains or even telephone cables. It is unsatisfactory to see a nice new road recently widened and then, not even a month later, some department comes along and digs it up. When they fill it up, obviously they cannot make it level. They will have to fill it up a little higher, otherwise the level sinks. So, as a result, quite a few of our roads have these bumps which remain for a very long time until the whole length of the road is resurfaced completely. There is a Road Co-ordination Committee, comprising the service departments, such as the Singapore Telephone Board, the Public Utilities Board and the Public Works Department. This is to ensure that there is maximum coordination. In fact, no one now is allowed to dig up a newly-resurfaced road or a newly built road within a period of one year when the work is completed, unless they get the permission of the Director of Public Works. Sometimes this permission cannot be withheld, especially when a water main bursts.”
“Sir, as to the last question, work will commence in the middle of this year. Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim was constructed when the Jurong Industrial Estate was first developed. In the early years of Jurong, traffic using the road was limited and therefore only two lanes for traffic going up to and two lanes for traffic leaving Jurong were constructed with adequate reserve set aside for future widening. With the rapid development in Jurong, the traffic using Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, which is at present the main arterial road from Jurong into the city, has increased by leaps and bounds. It is essential, therefore, to widen the road to cope with the increased traffic. In fact, it will be a dual carriageway.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Punggol is one of the very few who are dissatisfied with the Garden City campaign. Perhaps we should recruit him into the City Action Garden Committee and get some advice from him on landscaping. Sir, in order to meet the accelerated programme of work and to secure better control, the whole of Singapore has been divided into 14 administrative complexes. Each complex is in the charge of a horticultural officer with supporting staff to look after the roadside planting, including traffic surfaces, traffic islands, centre dividers, side tables and any open spaces near the roadside. For the next fiscal year, it is planned to plant an average of about 2,500 trees and 8,000 shrubs in each complex. The estimated cost in each complex is about $86,000. I can give the Member a list of the new parks, but I think I will be taking up the time of this House. Sir, when trees are planted or when there is a garden city campaign, various opinions are voiced. Some like our methods, but others do not. However, any suggestion from the Member for Punggol will be given due consideration by the head of the City Action Garden Committee.”
“I beg the Minister's pardon. The Minister for Health inspected the factory and on his - I do not know whether to say recommendation, advice or threat the company has condensed the steam instead of releasing it into the atmosphere, and has also taken steps to discharge the liquid waste into the sewer system instead of into the open drain. The position now is satisfactory. Before I forget, I must now deal with the points raised by the Member for Punggol. He has raised so many points that I must be forgiven if I forget some of them. As to what I am doing at Kankar, for the moment I am doing nothing. We will be considering the petition for a jetty. If the funds do not come through to the Primary Production Department, then an application could be considered by the Urban and Rural Services Committee. But it would be difficult, as I realise, in a place like Kankar to land fish without a good jetty.”
“The Primary Production Department erected three blocks of temporary timber offices for the use of fish merchants when the auction market was started. The department did not at any time undertake to erect permanent buildings for them. In fact, the department is of the view that they should erect their own facilities. The commercial companies engaged in the catching and auctioning of fish have constructed their own offices as well as fish processing installations. However, the department is prepared to recommend to the Jurong Town Corporation, which owns the land at the fishing port, to lease some land to any fish merchants who may wish to construct their own permanent offices or even to the Fish Merchants General Association for them to construct offices for their members. I believe the Member also made mention of the roads in the Jurong Fishing Port. The roads have been badly damaged but they were recently tarred, work having been completed in February this year. It appears that, because of the increase in the large number of heavy vehicles going in and out of the fishing port, the roads are subject to heavy wear and tear, and maintenance is not easy and will have to be more frequent if the roads are to be in serviceable condition. As for smells, the fishmeal factory belonging to a private company was responsible to a private company was responsible for some unpleasant odour at the fishing port. Apparently there were two major sources of smell: (1) from the steam released into the atmosphere; and (2) from the liquid waste which is discharged into a roadside drain. The Ministry of Health has inspected the factory -”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, under the first phase of the Jurong Fishing Port, the Government provided basic infrastructures such as the 750-foot walk, fish landing equipment, auction market and distribution facilities. Several sites within the fishing port complex have also been allocated to commercial companies for the establishment of cold storage and quick-freezing fishmeal production and ice-manufacturing facilities. All fish agents from Ellenborough and Clyde Terrace Markets in the city have shifted their operations to Jurong. Similarly, all lorries transporting fish from West Malaysia now unload fish at Jurong instead of at various places in Singapore. In view of these increased activities, a provision of $200,000 for the Jurong Fishing Port for next year is made for the extension of the existing wharf, improvement and expansion of the fish auction market, provision of additional lighting for the wharf, purchase of pumps to make use of sea water for cleaning purposes, and the provision of market equipment. Out of a total of about 67,000 tons of fish landed last year in Singapore, the Jurong Fishing Port handled about 49,000 tons, valued at approximately $39 million. Details of imports and exports of fish are as follows: Imports mostly from Tons Malaysia 40,655 Thailand 3,700 Taiwan 2,669 China 1,200 Korea 432 Other countries 617 ------ Total imports 49,273 ====== As for exports, we have been exporting to Italy, Japan, the United States, Sarawak, Hong Kong, and a few other places; the largest exports being to Italy, Japan and U.S.A. at a little over 1,000 tons each. May I now deal with some of the points raised by the Member for Jurong.”
“As for the Fishing Training Centre at Changi, which was established with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme, it runs two courses the deck course and the engine course. The deck course is aimed at producing navigators and fishing technicians, and the engine course is to train fishing vessel engineers. Out of the first batch of 24 trainees taken in August last year, 11 were for the deck course and 13 for the engine course. The success or failure of the centre can best be judged from the performance of the trainees, but as the first batch has not yet passed out, it is too early to comment. During late 1969 and early 1970, prior to the running of these one-year courses, there were four short intensive two to three months' courses for fishermen. Out of a total of 75 fishermen who attended these courses, 51 of them completed and passed the courses. Most of those who completed the courses were offered jobs by commercial fishing companies on the recommendation of the Primary Production Department, but unfortunately some of them did not remain long in their new job. For any who have been trained and say that they cannot find a job, the Primary Production Department will be pleased to secure places for them on off-shore and deep-sea fishing vessels operating from Jurong. Most of these vessels are short of local crew members.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as for deep-sea fishing and pioneer status, my views coincide with those of the Member for Jurong. I am not shifting the buck here, but the predecessor [Dr Goh Keng Swee] of the present Minister for Finance was responsible for the removal of pioneer status in respect of deep-sea fishing. Since the Member raised this question of pioneer status in the House earlier in the week, I have spoken to the Minister for Finance and the Member will be happy to know that the Minister has informed me that the matter is not closed. I will be taking up the cudgels on behalf of deep-sea fishing again. Hon. Members: Hear, hear!”
“This is the feeling of the Member for Punggol. That is his information. But that is not my information. The price of eggs has not gone down that low. If the price of eggs is one or two cents, then I say something would have to be done about it. I think I must repeat myself here again. When the price goes up, Members ask me to bring it down. When the price goes down, other Members ask me to bring it up. As for the egg factory, no one is interested and neither is Government, anyway not at the moment.”
“Sir, I think the Member for Whampoa made a reasonable point. It is a question of whether the farmers are suffering.”
“I am sorry I did not answer that question, Sir. We tried to interest several parties to start this egg-powder factory, but no one was interested. As for the price of eggs, I think I have on several occasions commented in this House that when the price goes down, I have to explain what I am doing about it. When the price goes up, I have to explain what I am doing to stamp it down. But this is the result of supply and demand and there are fluctuations. Sometimes within one year, the price goes up and comes down. It does not remain stable.”
“If the owners of private land in areas zoned for agriculture wish to make fuller use of their land, they can always seek the advice of the Primary Production Department on the type of agriculture which can be suitably undertaken on their land. With regard to the factory farming scheme which has been raised by both Members, the proposal has only been approved in principle and its implementation is expected to be initiated towards the end of this year. Whether it is practical to introduce multi-storey flatted farms on a large scale to farmers in Singapore will depend very much on the results yielded by a pilot scheme to be introduced. Whether or not the farmers will adopt factory farming methods and how extensively factory farming can be carried out in Singapore will depend on the results yielded by this pilot project.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the intensive farm improvement scheme was initiated in 1968 with the objective of introducing modern scientific methods of farming to the farmers so that they could intensify their activities and increase their productivity. Under the scheme, research was initiated to improve the use of horticultural crops through the selection of a good parent plant, through better manurial practices and the control of pests and diseases. These studies are being carried out at the Sembawang Field Experimental Station as well as a demonstration farm at Lim Chu Kang. The results obtained from all these studies have been and will continue to be passed on to our farmers through the Primary Production Extension Service or through training courses organised by the department. As for land for agriculture, the Primary Production Department is working closely with the planning authority on the future needs of land for agriculture. The Planning Department is at present completing a study into the overall planning of land use for Singapore, including the planning of land used for agricultural purposes. However, it must be realised that, with the limited land available in Singapore and with the great demand for land for other purposes, the use of land for agricultural purposes, though not neglected, has to be considered in the context of Singapore's overall economic development. The Government recognises the need to optimise the use of agricultural land, including private land used for agriculture. However, it has at present no power to compel owners of private land to optimise the use of their land for agricultural purposes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the fact that the Member for Punggol raised this question three years ago and I promised him consideration means that we did give it consideration. But I am not an expert on abattoirs and my experts did not think it advisable to set them up at once. Meanwhile, things went on at the Central Abattoir in Jurong. Now that a company has been formed, it would be unfair to this company if we immediately open up three more rural abattoirs. The interests of the company must now be considered. The Member's suggestion has been considered but not accepted. It does not mean that when a suggestion is made here, we must consider it and we must accept it. The experts' views may not tally with the Member's views. But it does not mean that we have been sleeping on the Member's suggestion. I can assure him of that.”
“Sir, the provision of a little more than $1½ million under this particular item is, firstly, for the renovation and alteration to the Hill Street Police Station at an estimated cost of $578,000. Secondly, the construction of a new Police Divisional Headquarters at Toa Payoh at a cost of about $970,250, and the construction of a new Quartermaster's Store at Hemmant Road at a total cost of $957,000. Whilst the renovation of the Hill Street Police Station is expected to be completed within the next fiscal year, the other two projects, which involve new construction, may have to be completed over a longer period. Hence, for the next financial year, only $428,000 and $537,000 have been provided for the new Police Divisional Headquarters at Toa Payoh and the new Quartermaster's Store.”