Lim Kim San
Singapore
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board's investigation shows that the residents of Pulau Ubin are unwilling to pay higher prices due to higher operating costs, thereby causing the contractor to cease operations. It was explained to the hon.”
“Sir, I understand the Member's point, but I hope he realises that six months after serving notice, the pigs will still be defecating freely which will continue to contaminate our water.”
“Sir, if anyone should get sick from coming into contact with contaminated water, I hope they will accept sympathy from the Member for Jurong. But we cannot evaluate the danger to human life in terms of dollars and cents. The farmers have known for several years now that pig-rearing will have to be phased out of the catchment areas.”
“Sir, all I can say is that we are still looking into the feasibility of siting a coal-fired station on one of the islands to reduce the pollution problem. But no definite decision has yet been made. We have several offers to do a feasibility study on it, and we are looking closely into the matter. 5.45 p.m.”
“Merit Scholar- Merit Courses ships Bursaries Medicine/ Dentistry 44 41 Engineering 28 22 Architecture/ Building/ Estate Management 6 18 Accountancy/ Business Administration 9 14 Arts/Social Science/Law 32 40 Science (includes Pharmacy) 82 102 ___ ___ 201 237 === === Sir, I believe the hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, air pollution is being monitored daily by the Anti- Pollution Unit, and we find that the air pollution in industrial estates and the urban areas is normally higher than in the residential or rural areas.”
The complete record
Every one of 1,111 lines we hold for Lim Kim San, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 4 of 23.
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I shall take the last speaker first. The Member for Sembawang has complained again about increase in PUB water charges. The water rate, of course, has increased. I do not know whether or not he realises that costs have increased and, as I have repeatedly said, we are going into unconventional sources of water supply. Water is more polluted and, therefore, the cost of treatment is high. Moreover, to discourage wastage of water, water rates are now calculated on a block basis. Every family is given a basic block of 25 cubic metres. (I am not too sure of this figure). That is the first block to which every family is entitled, and it is charged at a certain rate. If the consumption goes beyond the first block, the rate increases and if it still goes beyond that, it increases still further. Therefore, though the consumption of water, in the case he has referred to, remains the same, the consumer has to pay more because of increasing charges and perhaps also because of the block rates. There is no over-charge. Now, the question of the hawkers wanting a meter each. I think we have more than half a million accounts at the moment. Hon. Members have been complaining about mistakes made in reading meters by meter readers. In the case of hawkers, we are going out of our way to supply one meter for every four hawkers. I think for their convenience surely the four hawkers can come to some sort of an agreement among themselves to share PUB charges. Only when and if hawkers and members of the public can read the meters themselves, and when we have enough meters. will the position be reconsidered. I am very indebted to the hon. Member for the short history of daylight saving.”
“Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether he is aware that many stalls in Housing and Development Board markets and hawker centres are vacant and if he will request the Board to relax or revise the existing policy so that those vacant stalls may be taken up.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board has started work on what is known as the Pulau Tekong Reservoir Scheme. This calls for the construction of an impounding reservoir with a storage capacity of 1.4 million cubic metres and a water treatment plant of 6,800 cubic metres/day capacity on the island. When this $6.23 million project is completed in 1979, piped water supply will be available on the island. The Public Utilities Board undertook a survey which shows that providing piped water to Pulau Ubin would be uneconomical. It would also be uneconomical to provide island-wide electricity to both Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong as the houses on these islands are scattered and the expected demand too low to justify the cost of installation of electrical distribution equipment. The Urban and Rural Services Committee concurred with these findings and informed the Board that no action need be taken until more information on the development of these islands is available. LORONG TAI SENG COMMUNITY CENTRE 3. Mr Tan Cheng San asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether the Lorong Tai Seng Community Centre will be affected by the development scheme for the vicinity and, if so, when. The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Dr Tan Eng Liang) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Lorong Tai Seng Community Centre falls within Perseverance Estate. Development of the area is tentatively projected to commence around 1980 to 1982. A comprehensive study of this development scheme will be undertaken then, and at this point of time it is not possible to say whether the Lorong Tai Seng Community Centre will be affected. VACANT STALLS IN HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD MARKETS AND HAWKER CENTRES 4.”
“Encik Mansor Haji Sukaimi asked the Minister for National Development and Communications how many families in the Kampong Kembangan Constituency whose premises have been acquired by Government to make way for the Paya Lebar Pan Island Expressway and the extension of Sims Avenue have been given priority in the allocation of Housing and Development Board flats.”
“Sir, I think I have replied to the question just now when I said that there will be adjustments. There may be one or two meter readers who probably did not do their work properly. On the whole, Mr Speaker, Sir,I do not think the Member for Geylang Serai has asked a supplementary question. RESITING OF PROPOSED COMMUNITY CENTRE AT BEDOK NEW TOWN 2. Haji Sha'ari Bin Tadin asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will ask the Housing and Development Board to consider resiting the proposed community centre at Neighbourhood II of Bedok New Town in Neighbourhood I in view of the urgent need of the residents in the latter area for a centre. The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Dr Tan Eng Liang) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the choice of the present community centre site in Bedok Neighbourhood II was made with the concurrence of the People's Association. From the planning viewpoint, the present location is suitable being at the centre of the Bedok Constituency, and convenient to both Neighbourhood I and Neighbourhood II. The present site is also unencumbered and poses no clearance problems for construction purposes. As all the buildings in Neighbourhood II are expected to be completed sometime this year, it is therefore not recommended to resite the proposed community centre which is for the use of the residents in both Neighbourhoods I and II. KAMPONG KEMBANGAN (Resettlement Priority) 3.”
“Sir, as the Member for Sembawang has said, meter readers do make mistakes in reading meters. I quite agree. Some of them do. But as I said, any mistake made would be readjusted at the next reading. There is no danger of meter readers losing their jobs as a result of consumers reading their own meters because from time to time meter readers will be sent to check whether the consumers themselves have read the meters correctly.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board has enough meter readers to read the 1,107,163 utility meters in service on a bi-monthly basis. For the months when the meters are not read, consumptions are estimated and these estimates are based on the average of previous actual consumptions. For the great majority of consumers whose consumptions are fairly stable and fluctuate only marginally, these estimates are accurate. However, because the utility meters record consumptions progressively, any deviation is automatically adjusted when the meters are next read. Sir, I had previously spoken of the PUB's campaign to encourage consumers to read their own meters. I think complaints of inaccurate estimates would not arise if consumers submitted their own readings for billing. The hon. Member for Geylang Serai should consider urging his constituents to take advantage of this offer.”
“Thank God for that! 6.00 p.m. [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair]”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not asking him for a justification of his attitude at the forum. The impression I had was that he was playing hero. and my appeal to Members here is to be civil. Let us do unto others what we expect others to do unto us. He can talk till the cows come home but he himself will not be convinced that he was quite aggressive and he was playing hero. I think it is a waste of time for me and him to stand up here and argue over that point”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this is a matter of contention. I do not want to debate on this with him here. What I am saying is that we do from time to time in this House bring up the question of how uncivil civil servants are. We do not like that. What I am saying here now is that I am placing a group of civil servants at Members' disposal to help them solve their problems with their constituents. But. for goodness sake, let us remember that they are also human beings and let us be civil to them. That is all I am asking.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, When a child holds a card, it means that he is grown up. But in the case mentioned here, just for the sake of getting a Housing Board flat, they start to have a baby immediately I think there is a limitation there. Mr Speaker, Sir, I am very sorry that the Member for Kampong Chai Chee takes it very personally. I did not give him the nomenclature of a "rat catcher". It was headlines in all the papers. I do not mean it to be derisive. I am just making a statement of fact. Mr Speaker, Sir, he is welcome as my guest to swim in the PUB pool. The PUB swimming pool in the new building is part of the recreational facilities for members of the PUB staff. I do not think anyone would deny employees of a large organisation facilities for their recreation and relaxation A swimming poo1 is not peculiar to the PUB. There are many other statutory bodies which have swimming pools Coming to the Member for Kim Seng, maybe I did unintentionally distort a little bit of what he said. But what I am trying to convey to Members here is that to debate on PUB charges, especially the electricity tariff, is not a very simple proposition. I do not think it is a practical proposition unless you are a specialist too. If it is uncomplicated, there is no need for electrical tariff specialists. It took the specialist 2 1/2 years to come up with his recommendation To spend 10 to 20 minutes debating this complicated subject over TV with laymen is, I think, an impractical proposition.”
“Member for Kim Seng suggests a public debate before fixing PUB charges. Charging and pricing of utilities is a very complicated affair unlike pricing a grocery item off the shelf. Take electricity charges, for instance. Different charges have to be worked out for different types of consumers. There are the domestic low and high tension consumers; the industrial low and high tension consumers and the commercial low and high tension consumers. Some of these consumers have to pay a maximum demand charge in addition to others. These are but some of the factors which have to be taken into consideration when you draw up an electrical tariff. For the information of Members, for the last revision of electrical tariffs by the PUB, we engaged a very well-known electrical and tariff specialist. It took this specialist, a well-known company, Messrs. Electro Watts. 2 1/2 years of very careful study and evaluation before recommending a tariff which we accepted. That is the new tariff in which the same charge is levied for electricity, whether it is used for power or for lighting. It is not a simple thing. So to suggest that we have a public debate with the common laymen before you fix PUB charges is tantamount, Mr Speaker, Sir, to my asking you whether you would seek the opinion of the butcher before you embark on a very complicated operation. 5.51 pm”
“Right! Just a forum where they met and discussed the queries which his constituents had raised. It was a useful session except for the fact that the hon. Member was playing the hero and baiting the members of the PUB team. We in this House have heard from time to time about how uncivil some of our civil servants are. Perhaps it is not out of turn for me to say that from time to time we also must remind ourselves that we should behave towards civil servants as we expect them to behave towards us. I know it is very difficult sometimes to resist the temptation to play the hero in front of your constituents but do not do it please at the expense of those who cannot or will not answer back. I hold no brief for the rude civil servant but I hope and expect that Members of Parliament will always behave as political leaders should. Members who want to make use of the services of this team to help them explain some of the queries which their constituents may raise with regard to their bills, please contact the PRO. Arrangements will be made accordingly. I mentioned sometime ago that the PUB is encouraging its consumers to read their own meters and they will be billed according to their own readings. This will thus reduce complaints about wrong meter readings and/or over-charging. Pamphlets explaining the reading of utility meters were sent out to all the 470,000-odd consumers. But so far, only about 1,000 consumers are sending in their own readings for billing. The campaign to encourage consumers to read their own meters will continue and the Board is working on a scheme to enable the consumers to submit their meter readings on prepaid postage cards. I hope the response will be more positive this time. The hon.”
“However. Members may be interested to know that 70% of our domestic consumers are exempted from the surcharge as their total monthly bills are less than $35. About 14% pay tax at 5% and the remainder pay 10% as their bills exceed $50 monthly. Following the fourfold increase in the price of oil, electricity and gas charges have gone up considerably, and so have complaints over PUB bills. This increase in complaints is not only common to Singapore. It is a phenomenon common to utility authorities in other countries too. However, there has been quite a number of queries raised by Members over PUB bills and to assist them to explain to their constituents, the PUB has set up a team to assist Members at meet-the-people sessions in answering queries from their constituents. The hon. Member for Kampong Chai Chee has made use of the services. Recently, he had a team from the PUB at his meet-the-people session.”
“Perhaps the appropriate place is to raise it during the Budget debate. Some hon. Members: Yes, we will.”
“The offer is open to citizens as well as non-citizens. The only difference is that in the case of non-citizens, they are not given rental concession for the shops as these benefits are only offered to the shopkeepers who are Singapore citizens. To come to another subject, Mr Speaker, Sir, I am really surprised that quite a number of Members in this House do not know what the surcharge on a PUB bill is. Many Members referred to it as a PUB surcharge. It is not a PUB surcharge. It is a charge imposed as part of Government's fiscal policy and the PUB acts as collecting agent for the Government as a matter of convenience. It does not form part of PU B's revenue and the PUB has no authority to impose, increase, reduce or remove it. Hon. Members who request the PUB to explain or reconsider the surcharge are barking up the wrong tree An hon. Member: Which is the right tree to bark?”
“Sir, it does help me to refresh my memory of what he has said. But it does not contest my point that you cannot rent out a two-room flat for the price of a one-room flat. The HDB is aware and is very sympathetic with the desire of the residents of the older estates for improved recreational facilities and amenities such as those available in the new estates. It has drawn up a programme to improve facilities in the older estates. This, however, will take time and hon. Members must understand that improvements are restricted by physical limitations of existing environment. There are also competing interests, for example, do we provide car parks or open space? The HDB will endeavour to strike a happy balance between these competing interests Sir, the question of resettlement was also raised, Resettlement is a most unpleasant but necessary exercise. It has been the Government's policy to try and ameliorate the sufferings and hardship caused to those resettled. Much as we like to, we are unable to offer the same facilities to non-citizens as we do to our own, that is, giving them alternative accommodation. Priority is always given to our own citizens and as hon Members are aware, we have now more than 80,000 families waiting for public housing in addition to our own citizens who are affected by resettlement. Notwithstanding this, the rules have been relaxed to give special consideration for permanent residents who are affected by resettlement schemes to get public housing on rental if one of their children is the holder of a Singapore pink identity card. The Resettlement Department has been offering alternative shops to all shopkeepers affected by clearance scheme in so far as their trades are suitable to be carried out in such premises.”
“Sir, if hon. Members have read the Addenda to the President's Speech with care, they would have noted that nothing is for free and that only social services and education will be subsidised But here. Sir, all the one-room flats are heavily subsidised and after conversion they will still be subsidised. So to charge a two-room flat for the price of one is not possible.”
“Sir, I get the impression that he thinks the HDB is not concerned with the older estates. On the contrary, Sir, The HDB's priority is to provide Singapore citizens with adequate housing. It has done so for the majority and is now turning its attention to improving the older estates. The HDB has already converted 904 units of one-room emergency flats in Bukit Ho Swee into 384 units of self-contained two-room flats. Similarly. Sir, in St. Michael's Estate, the Board has converted 816 units of one-room emergency flats into 360 units of self-contained two-room flats.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, he had his say and we had all listened to him with great patience. I think he should cultivate the quality of patience and listen in turn. An hon. Member: Well said!”
“Well, to come to the Member's suggestion that we should do away with the one-room flats. Listening to him, I thought it was a very simple thing. I only wish I had a magic wand. But even though I had a magic wand which could, with one wave change the one-room flats into an old people's home or a community centre, I would not use it for the simple reason that there would be trouble. He has not thought out the problem properly. As I have said, hon. Members must be aware that there has been improvement in design as well as enlargement of the built-up area of HDB flats. For example, when the first flat was built, the built-up area of the one-room flat was 240 sq ft. It was then increased to 320 sq ft. As we went on and began to learn from the mistakes made, it was increased to 350 sq ft and the present one-room improved flat has a floor area of 370 sq ft. Mr Speaker, Sir, the rat catcher - I am sorry. The hon. Member for Kampong Chai Chee gave the impression that there was no progress made.”
“There was not much construction activity, as you will remember, Sir, in the period between the end of the Second World War and the early 60's. The population, however, had expanded due to natural growth and immigration and shanty towns or slums were found all over Singapore. To the head of a family, a one-room flat in more hygienic surroundings was far better than his overcrowded, smelly and dark accommodation. A one-room flat then with its running water., modern sanitation, electricity supply and proper kitchen was heaven compared to the congested, rat infested, unhealthy and fire prone hovel of an attap hut he occupied. Many hon. Members present here today must have remembered how an applicant's face lit up when he was allocated any HDB flat. He could not afford to be choosy then. The need for decent housing was urgent. Many applicants could only afford to rent one-room flats. One must remember that the average income then was $124.58 per month as against the present income of $506.73 per month. So whether we like it or not, the decision was taken to build these one-room emergency flats. The one-room flat has served its purpose. It is still useful and will still be useful. While listening to the hon. Member for Kampong Chai Chee the other day, I remembered a local Malay proverb Lepas jambatan buang tongkat, that is to say, "Throw away the walking stick which aided you, after crossing the bridge". Lest we forget, the poor is still with us and there will be a continual demand for one-room flats. For the information of hon. Members, there are 3,587 applicants on the waiting list to rent one-room flats. This is 25% of the 14,086 applicants on the waiting list to rent flats as at the end of last month.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, quite a large number of points have been raised by hon. Members with regard to the policy and administration of the Ministry of Communications and Ministry of National Development as well as the Public Utilities Board. I do not intend to reply to all of them. I will take a few points, the rest will be taken in due course by the two Senior Ministers of State. Sir, we all know that the fame of the hon. Member for Kampong Chai Chee as a rat catcher has spread far and wide. We also know him as a good story teller. But when he last spoke he revealed that he is also a fortune teller. He told us he foresaw the traffic jam that would result from development in the Central Business District and in vain did he warn the HDB against building one-room flats which he predicted would become future slums. Sir, let us examine why no heed was taken of the hon. Member's warning and, in doing so, let us remember that the period was more than a decade ago. i.e, in the early 6Os - a period of a world removed from now. Then, we were faced with the problems of poverty, of shortages and of unemployment. Now, after 1 7 years of political stability, economic progress and social development, we are faced with a different set of problems, though I say it is a more pleasant set of problems to face than the one we faced previously, and that is the problem of higher expectations as a result of growing affluence The average human being has a high propensity to forget the unpleasant incidents in life. It is a useful quality and helps to keep him sane. The Member for Kampong Chai Chee must have this quality in a high degree, and in the midst of his great oration, he must have forgotten that we were once faced with a serious shortage of housing.”
“Changi Airport will, therefore, have an efficient inland road transportation system, so that there will be no congestion on the access roads to the new Airport.”
“During the interim period from 1980-82, Paya Lebar Airport will be used to cater for the over-spill of civil aircraft traffic which could not be handled by Changi Airport with only one runway. A new direct express road linking Paya Lebar Airport to Changi Airport is being built. This will provide a fast and efficient flow of passengers and vehicles between the two Airports. After the second runway at Changi is completed in 1982, Paya Lebar Airport will be used as a supplementary airport to Changi. Nonscheduled and other charter flights could also be handled by Paya Lebar Airport. The two parallel runways to be built at Changi Airport are capable of handling up to 80 aircraft movements per hour. Presently, there are 22 aircraft movements per hour at Paya Lebar Airport, and this is projected to reach about 48 movements per hour in 1992. Therefore, two runways at Changi Airport would be able to meet the needs of peak hour aircraft movements well into the next century. There is, therefore, no plan to build a third runway at Changi Airport in the 198Os. There will be two major expressways linking Changi Airport with the main city areas, as well as other parts of Singapore. The East Coast Parkway will provide a freeway link between Changi Airport and the city. Construction works are in progress and the Parkway leading to Changi Airport is expected to be completed by mid-1978. Changi Airport will also be linked to the other parts of the island through a section of the Pan-Island Expressway which is expected to be completed by early 1 980. A new link road connecting Changi Airport to Paya Lebar Airport will also be built and this is also scheduled for completion by early 1980.”
“Sir, the answer here is yes. The Ministry of Law has agreed, in principle, to alienate the land to the Housing and Development Board for conversion into a children's playground. Action will be taken when alienation formalities are completed. CHANGI AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT (Particulars) 18. Mr P. Selvadurai asked the Minister for National Development and Communications (a) when the airstrip at the new Changi Airport will be ready; (b) when the Changi Airport will become operational; (c) whether operations at Paya Lebar Airport will cease on the new Changi Airport becoming operational; (d) if it is proposed to build a third runway at Changi Airport should' air traffic warrant it in the 1 980s; and (e) if, in view of the already heavy vehicular traffic on Changi Road which will be compounded by the traffic resulting from the operation of the new Changi Airport, a new road of access to Changi Airport together with a new road connecting Changi Airport to Paya Lebar Airport will be built. The Senior Minister of State for Communications (Mr Ong Teng Cheong) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the first runway at Changi Airport, together with its landing aids, will be completed by early 1980. With the completion of the Phase I passenger terminal together with supporting facilities, such as the air traffic control tower, freight terminal, parking aprons, hangar. Changi Airport is expected to become operational by the latter part of 1980. Though the first runway and its supporting facilities are targetted for completion by the latter part of 1980, the second runway at Changi Airport is scheduled for completion only in mid-1982.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, over the years, the Housing and Development Board has continuously introduced new measures to improve its maintenance service and to ensure that repairs are carried out promptly. Previously only one term contractor was appointed to undertake specific categories of repairs for all properties in HDB estates. Now the HDB estates are grouped into three main zones, each zone with one term contractor to perform specific repairs. Each term contractor will therefore work on a smaller area and is thus able to render faster repairs. When one term contractor is unable to fulfill his assignment fast enough, arrangement is made for a contractor from another zone to provide the necessary backup service to complete the works expeditiously. Recently, the Board has set up a Special Action Unit to detect and monitor any shortcomings of its services to the residents so that instant corrective measures can be taken. There is also an Essential Maintenance Service Unit which provides round-the-clock services for breakdowns in essential services like lift break-down, sanitary chokes and electrical faults. There are certain types of repairs which necessarily take a longer time to complete, e.g., defective doors and windows in the older buildings have to be individually measured and hand-made as the standard-sized mass-produced windows and doors cannot be used. In a number of instances repairs were delayed because no one was in the flat when the workmen called. FLOODS (Steps to prevent recurrence) 14. Mr Ivan Baptist asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education what steps are being taken to prevent the recurrence of the grave inconvenience caused to the public by the chaotic traffic condition due to the recent severe floods.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the total number of units of shops and flats completed by the Board up to the third quarter of 1976 is 19,732 units comprising 19,337 fIats and 395 shops. A total of 10,292 units, made up of 10.012 fiats and 280 shops will be completed in the last quarter of 1976. An accumulative total of 254.220 units comprising 246.924 fIats and 7,296 shops have been completed by the Board up to the third quarter of 1976. Of this, 17.693 fIats and 240 shops were completed as agency projects, i.e., units built by the Board for the Jurong Town Corporation, the Port of Singapore Authority and other authorities. The number of applicants on the waiting list for the purchase and rental of flats as at 30th September, 1976 is 66.58 1 and 15,097 applicants respectively. HOUSING BOARD MAINTENANCE SERVICE (Improvement of) 13. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board whether it will seek ways and means to improve its maintenance service so that complaints of defects and normal wear and tear of its flats can be attended to more expeditiously.”
“Some of them have just begun production. I have no figures of the one run by the Ministry of Defence. Obviously the business-minded people must have made their calculations and estimated it to be profitable. Otherwise we would not have been able to lease out eight acres of land for hydroponics farming. HOUSING BOARD SHOPS AND FLATS (Number completed) 12. Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board (a) how many units of shops and flats have been completed by the Board in 1976 up to the latest convenient date, and how many more units will be completed by the end of the year; (b) how many, shops and flats have been completed by the Board as at the latest convenient date; and (c) how many applicants for purchase and rental of flats are on the waiting-list.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the results of the experiments conducted by the Primary Production Department on hydroponics have been widely publicised over the last two years by the press, Radio and Television Singapore and in publications such as the Primary Production Bulletin and the Singapore Journal of Primary Industries. An Agriculture Handbook which is being sold to members of the public at $2.50 per copy gives a full account on the setting up of a commercial hydroponic farm. The Primary Production Department would provide technical advice and help to those who are interested to invest in the hydroponic culture of vegetables. Commercial production of vegetables by the hydroponic method of cultivation has already begun. The one-acre farm established by the Ministry of Defence has been operating successfully over the last two years. Another two-acre commercial unit will soon commence production. This is run by the Primary Industries Enterprise Co, and it will be sited in Punggol. The Government has also made available 40 acres of land at Sernbawang to be leased to interested persons for commercial hydroponics farming. To-date, eight acres of land have been leased out and production will begin shortly. Those who are interested may apply to the Primary Production Department.”
“Sir, I do not think the Member is quite correct, because under Regulation 32 of the Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations. 1974, medical examination is provided for. It says here: "Every licensee shall provide - (a) every person who is employed in a granite quarry with a chest X-ray examination at least once a year; and (b) every person who is employed in a sand quarry with a chest X-ray examination at least once in two years.'”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the nuisance arising from quarry dust is being looked after. I think the Attorney-General is the correct person to give advice on legal proceedings. In his opinion nuisance of this nature has already been looked after in the Factories Act, 1973. There is no need to duplicate it in the Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations. 1974.”
“Sir, these Regulations were deleted because, in drafting the 1974 Regulations, the Attorney-General had advised that, it would be undesirable to duplicate provisions which already existed in other legislation. The deleted Regulations are covered by the Factories Act. 1973.”
“If the Member for Punggol will put up proposals for improvement and upgrading of roads and drains in the farming areas around Lorong Buang Kok and Lorong Cheng Lim to the Urban and Rural Services Committee, his request will be favourably considered. SAND AND GRANITE QUARRIES REGULATIONS, 1971 (Deletion of provisions) 8. Mr Cheong Yuen Chee asked the Minister for National Development and Communications why Regulations 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations. 1971, were deleted when the 1971 Regulations were replaced by the Sand and Granite Quarries Regulations. 1974.”
“Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether all roads and drains in the farming areas in Lorong Buang Kok and Lorong Cheng Lim will be made up to kampong road standard and lined with layer drainage channels.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Punggol is correct when he says that the Pan Island Expressway is being built in parts and stages. I can give him the progress to date, and they are as follows:- The section from Jalan Eunos to Whitley Road, which includes Paya Lebar Way and Jalan Toa Payoh, has been completed However, a flyover at Woodsville has yet to be constructed, but financial provision for this has been included in the development programme for 1977. The section from Whitley Road to Adam Road is expected to be completed around the end of 1977. The section from Adam Road to Jalan Anak Bukit was recently opened to traffic. Construction work is in progress on parts of the eastward extension of the Expressway from Jalan Eunos to the East Coast Parkway in Changi. It is expected that this section of the Expressway will be completed by 1 980. The last section of the Expressway, which is its westward extension from Jalan Anak Bukit to Jalan Boon Lay in Jurong, is in the final stages of design and the first contracts on this section will be awarded in 1977. It is also hoped that this section will be completed by 1980. The middle section of the Pan Island Expressway from Jalan Eunos to Jalan Anak Bukit will therefore be completed by the end of 1977. But the whole length of the Expressway from Changi to Jurong will only be completed by 1980. The cost of civil works of the completed sections of the Expressway to date amounts to $33 million. The remaining sections will cost a further $117 million to construct. The total cost of civil works for the whole length of the Pan Island Expressway, therefore. amounts to $150 million. LORONG BUANG KOK AND LORONG CHENG LIM (Road construction) 7.”
“The type of bridge proposed for the Kallang River crossing is a high-level prestressed concrete bridge. Work will commence on 1st January, 1977 and is scheduled to be completed at the end of 1980. The bridge over Kallang Basin which is 1099 metres is estimated to cost $35.7 million and that over Singapore River which is 403 metres $18.7 million. However, the two bridges are linked and will form a continuous elevated structure. The proposed bridge over the Kallang River will not hinder the passage of ships to and from the shipyards and slipways as it is 29 metres above high water level. NEW SINGAPORE GENERAL HOSPITAL (Operational Date) 5. Mr Lee Yiok Seng asked the Minister for Health (a) when the new Singapore General Hospital will be fully operational; (b) what new medical equipment it will have; and (c) what new medical treatment and specialties will be available.”
“Sir, as I said just now, those areas which I saw today were flooded in spite of the fact that there was no rain because they are below high tide level. So if we prevent the tides from flowing in at all we will also be preventing any water from flowing out. But since it is only a few days in a year that we have high spring tides which can cause flood to this area. I do no~ think it advisable to block the drains. Otherwise for the rest of the year dirty water will not be able to flow out to the sea from these low-lying areas. KALLANG RIVER (Construction of bridge) 4. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for National Development and Communications (a) what type of bridge it is proposed to build across the Kallang River as part of the East Coast Expressway; (b) when work will commence and how long it will take to complete; (c) whether the proposed bridge will cost more than the bridge also to be built across the Singapore River and by how much; and (d) if he will confirm that the proposed bridge will not hinder the passage of ships to and from the shipyards and slipways along the Kallang River.”
“Sir, the land reclamation linking the East Coast to Anson Road is scheduled for completion by early 1978. Part of the reclaimed land will `be used for the expressway linking the East Coast Parkway to the City and the usage of the rest of the land is now under study. The expressway will be completed at the end of 1980. There will be four lanes of traffic in each direction. There are pockets of low-lying areas between the East Coast and Anson Road which may be flooded when heavy rains coincide with high tides, irrespective of whether there was reclamation or not. In fact, Mr Speaker, Sir, just now on my way to Parliament, part of Telok Ayer Street was flooded even when there was no rain. These are areas which are very low and, regardless of whether there is rain or not, high spring tides will flood these areas. We also had hydraulic model studies which confirm that the reclamation will not in any way aggravate the flooding. The proposed expressway itself will not be subject to flooding as the road will be higher than the flood level.”
“Sir, there are generators standing by. That is what is meant by spinning reserve. To illustrate, let me put it this way. You have a 10 horse-power car and you are travelling in it. To be sure of getting to the end of your journey you have another 10 horse-power car following you all the time. In case the car you are travelling in should develop engine trouble, you can then switch over to the reserve car and continue to your destination. Our largest generator at present has a capacity of 120 MW. To enable the system to continue providing electricity should our largest generator fail, there should be 120 MW generating capacity standing by. This standby is known as spinning reserve. However, because of the high cost of fuel we did not have that much spinning reserve. But now, having experienced it and knowing that there will be teething troubles with new generators and in spite of high costs, we are going to provide spinning reserve equal to the largest generator we have in service. EAST COAST EXPRESSWAY TO ANSON ROAD (Land reclamation and completion date) 3. Mr Hwang Soo Jin asked the Minister for National Development and Communications (a) when the land reclamation linking the East Coast to Anson Road will be completed and, when completed, what uses the land will be put to; (b) when the proposed expressway itself will be completed and, when completed, how many lanes of traffic it will carry; and (c) whether, after reclamation and completion of the expressway, floods will occur during those periods when heavy rains coincide with high tides.”
“Sir, I am not aware that cables had burst as a result of wrong connection. As far as I know, 120 MW of electricity was transmitted through one circuit. 30 MW was generated by a new generator and, as with all things new, there are bound to be initial teething problems. The boiler of this generator developed a fault and this tripped off the generator. The automatic safety device which prevents users from being electrocuted and the system from being unduly damaged, then also tripped off the other generators. The blackout was not due to a wrong connection of cables. Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, this blackout occurred on the eve of Deepavali. I would like to know whether this will happen again on Christmas eve?”
“the PUB will, in spite of the increased operating cost, be providing spinning reserve equal to the capacity of the largest generator in operation until the Senoko Stage I generators, i.e, the new 120 MW generators, are fully commissioned at the end of this year. By then, the teething problems encountered in commissioning a new power station will have been ironed out and we may revert to the more economical mode of operation, that is, having a spinning reserve less than the capacity of the largest generators in operation.”
“Sir, I think Members of the House know that the electricity system in Singapore has grown tremendously in the last 10 years. Generating capacity of the system has grown from 464 MW (megawatts) in 1966 to 1.270 MW now. In the process of expansion the system has become more and more complex and sophisticated and certain automatic safety devices such as the in-built mechanism of "tripping" has to be introduced. "Tripping" means an automatic disconnection from the system in the event of a fault. On the day in question a new generator of 120 MW capacity was commissioned at Senoko Power Station and it was feeding 30 MW of electricity into a circuit for distribution. At the same time, another generator generating 90 MW was sending electricity through the same circuit. This circuit was carrying 120 MW of power for distribution. Just before 4.00 p.m, the burner of the boiler of the new generator failed and this generator tripped. This tripping automatically disconnected the transmission circuit and the other generator could not transmit power to the system. The sudden loss of 120 MW caused instability in the system which in turn triggered the tripping of the other generators at Jurong and Pasir Panjang `B' Power Stations. This resulted in an island-wide blackout. With such a widespread blackout it takes time to restore the electricity to the system. But this can only be done progressively. Within half an hour after the blackout, electricity had been restored to the first areas and the situation had returned to normal within 6« hours. The blackout was so widespread because, for reasons of economy necessitated by the high fuel oil price, our spinning reserve was less than the capacity of the largest generating unit in operation. However, having had this experience now.”
“It is a question of emphasis. He can emphasise whichever way he wan!s, so long as he saves water. If one does not waste water, one is already saving water. So it is a question of emphasis. I put it as saving water. He wants to emphasise on the slogan. "Don't waste water." Either way, it means he uses less water. ISLAND-WIDE BLACKOUT (Action to prevent recurrence) 2. Mr Ivan Baptist asked the Prime Minister what caused the recent blackout that lasted for many hours resulting in trauma for the majority of the population, and what action is being taken to ensure that there will be no distress of this sort again.”
“It is a good habit to save water. It is a habit like brushing your teeth every day. Once you have acquired a good habit. I think you should not drop it. To save water is also to save on your F'UB bills and water is getting more expensive to treat. We have exhausted the normal sources of water supply and are going into unconventional means of obtaining water which is going to be more costly. So keep the good habit of saving water.”
“Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for National Development and Communications when work will commence on the Sembawang Seaside Park; what will be the total area of the Park; and what facilities will be provided in the Park The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Dr Tan Eng Liang) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the area of the proposed Sembawang Park will be about 16 hectares; consisting of 6 hectares of foreshore and 10 hectares of mangrove area to be reclaimed. The Park will contain a large scenic pond, shelters, tea kiosks, a children's playground and picnic areas. Plans for the reclamation project are being finalised and work will commence when funds are available.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Utilities Board is aware that potable water supplied to the non-industrial area of Jurong has a higher chloride or salt content than the Board's other supplies. This water comes from the Pandan Reservoir which was completed in February 1975. The water stored in the Pandan Reservoir flows through an industrialised and populated area and is therefore subject to pollution. To make it safe for human use, it goes through a more sophisticated and costly process at the new water treatment works at Choa Chu Kang which was completed in October 1975. The World Health Organisation Drinking Water Standards allow for a maximum chloride content of 600 parts per million and a Total Dissolved Solids content of 1.500 parts per million. Our record at the Water Treatment Works shows that the chloride content of water from the Pandan Reservoir treated at the Choa Chu Kang Water Treatment Works has a chloride content of not more than 200 parts per million and a Total Dissolved Solids content of not more than 400 parts per million. The water supplied from the Choa Chu Kang Water Treatment Works is well within the WHO Drinking Water Standards and is perfectly safe for potable use. The Public Utilities Board therefore does not envisage the installation of a desalination plant to further process this water before supplying it to the residents. SEMBAWANG SEASIDE PARK (Particulars) 2.”
“Sir, the fire that has occurred was due to human frailties. No matter how fire-proof a building is, fire can still occur as there may be children playing with matches or fire may occur due to acts of mischief. But the fact is that fire is contained in Housing Board flats. I am proud of the fact and I think we should all be proud of the fact ----- that during the last 16 years there has not been a raging fire in the 1 20,000 units of HDB flats. This is a tribute to the architects in the Housing Board who have designed to make the flats fire-proof.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, fire has also occurred in my home. But what is the Member implying when he says that the Housing Board flats are a fire hazard and they are dangerous? I have already explained that having studied the occurrence and the whys and wherefores of fire in Housing Board flats, these flats are so designed that they have a relatively lower fire risk.”
“For his information and for the information of Members, even luxury high-rise flats built by private enterprises are not required to instal them. To prevent alarm among flat dwellers, let me say that sprinklers, or the smoke or heat detecting systems, are required by law to be installed in hotels, commercial and industrial buildings only. Residential buildings are not required to instal them. Sprinklers are very expensive items and need only be installed where necessary. Smoke and heat systems are not practical in flats and homes as smoke and heat are generated in the kitchen and will set them off. Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to assure Members that the safety, comfort and wellbeing of its tenants are uppermost in the minds of HDB and the Board will continue to improve on the design and structure of its flats not only to prevent occurrence of raging infernos but also to enable Singaporeans to build a comfortable home.”