Tan Eng Liang
Singapore
“Sir, in the light of Government's emphasis on road safety and the strong measures indicated by the Hon. Minister, I would draw the Minister's attention to the conviction in court of a school bus driver who caused the death of two students in my constituency. He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment.”
“Furthermore, the concessions in personal income tax rates effective from Year of Assessment 1978 have benefitted most taxpayers in the higher income group. I, therefore, do not see any justification to warrant a revision of the $4,000 limit allowable for purposes of tax deduction.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not in a position to debate with the hon. Member whether or not the 5% increase given in 1974 was adequate. But if he feels that the situation now warrants another increase, perhaps we can have a look at the position. Dr Augustine Tan: Mr Speaker, Sir, just as a matter of interest, what would the Hon.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported - "That the sum of $250,000,000 shall be supplied to the Government under the head of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st Apri…”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Consumer Price Index at constant prices in 1972 was taken as 100. In 1973 it was 117.7. In 1974 it went up to 144. That was the period when the ex-gratia allowance was given. In 1975 it was almost the same, 147.7. In 1976 it was 144.9. In 1977 it was 149.5.”
“ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn sine die." - [Mr E.W. Barker]. Adjourned accordingly sine die at Twenty-six minutes past Four o'clock p.m.”
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“Sir, in the light of Government's emphasis on road safety and the strong measures indicated by the Hon. Minister, I would draw the Minister's attention to the conviction in court of a school bus driver who caused the death of two students in my constituency. He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment. This was reported in yesterday's newspaper which also said that the maximum sentence allowable under the law is five years' imprisonment. Does the Minister not think that a stiffer sentence should be passed on cases resulting in death by rash or negligent act or by reckless or dangerous driving?”
“ADJOURNMENT Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn sine die." - [Mr E.W. Barker]. Adjourned accordingly sine die at Twenty-six minutes past Four o'clock p.m. ASSENT TO BILL PASSED The following Bill, which was passed by Parliament on 31st July, 1978, was assented to by the President of the Republic of Singapore on the date stated:- 17 August, 1978 Parliamentary Pensions Bill”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move the motion* standing in the name of the Minister for Finance as it appears on the Order Paper. *The motion reads as follows: That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 53), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be amended by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following:-- Old Title or Name of Office New Title or Name of Office Comptroller of Customs and Director-General of Customs Excise. and Excise. Deputy Comptroller of Deputy Director-General of Customs and Excise. Customs and Excise Assistant Comptroller of Director of Customs and Customs and Excise. Excise. Sir, these amendments to the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act are necessitated by the amendments made to the departmental titles in the Customs (Amendment) Act, 1978. The Customs (Amendment) Act, 1978, was passed by Parliament on 14th June, 1978, and assented to by the President on 15th July, 1978 and will come into operation on 1st August, 1978. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That this Parliament, pursuant to section 3 of the Departmental Titles (Alteration) Act (Chapter 53), resolves that the Schedule to the said Act be amended by the addition under the headings of "Old Title or Name of Office" and "New Title or Name of Office" respectively of the following: - Old Title or New Title or Name of Office Name of Office Comptroller of Director-General of Customs and Excise. Customs and Excise. Deputy Comptroller Deputy Director-General of Customs and Excise. of Customs and Excise. Assistant Comptroller Director of Customs of Customs and Excise. and Excise.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move "That Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolution." Question put, and agreed to. Resolution accordingly agreed to. PARLIAMENTARY PENSIONS BILL Order for Second Reading read. 3.20 p.m.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to a certain resolution. Resolution reported - "That the sum of $250,000,000 shall be supplied to the Government under the head of expenditure for the public services shown in the First Supplementary Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April, 1978, to 31st March, 1979, contained in Paper Cmd. 6 of 1978."”
“Furthermore, the concessions in personal income tax rates effective from Year of Assessment 1978 have benefitted most taxpayers in the higher income group. I, therefore, do not see any justification to warrant a revision of the $4,000 limit allowable for purposes of tax deduction. SINGAPORE BUS SERVICE (1978) LTD (Allotment of shares to regular bus commuters) 16. Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Communications, in fairness to those thousands of regular bus commuters in Singapore, if he will consider asking the Singapore Bus Service (1978) Ltd to allot 100 shares in the company to each of those commuters who wish to purchase concession bus passes.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I understand from the Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) that since the announcement of the revised schemes for the rental of JTC flats, 783 flats have been allocated to date. The revised schemes are intended to provide accommodation at reasonable rentals to skilled non-citizen industrial workers in Jurong. These revised schemes have enabled the JTC to achieve greater occupation of flats in Jurong. In accordance with Government policy, the JTC will be reserving sufficient numbers of flats to accommodate both citizen and non-citizen skilled industrial workers in Jurong in future. TAX RELIEF FOR CPF CONTRIBUTIONS AND LIFE ASSURANCE PREMIUMS (Revision of limit) 15. Mr Tan Soo Khoon asked the Minister for Finance, in view of the continual increases in contributions to the Central Provident Fund resulting in less take-home pay for many wage-earners, whether he will now revise the limit of $4,000 allowed for income tax relief on contributions to the CPF and life assurance premiums. Dr Tan Eng Liang: Mr Speaker, Sir, in 1977, 12,665 taxpayers were given the maximum relief of $4,000 on their CPF contributions and life assurance premia. They form only 4.5% of the total tax-paying population. The increase in the number of taxpayers who enjoyed the full $4,000 tax relief as a result of the recent increase in CPF contribution rate is not expected to be significant. Any upward revision of the $4,000 relief ceiling would, therefore, only benefit a small group of taxpayers who are the higher salaried employees. For most of the middle and lower income groups, the combined CPF contributions and life assurance premia are not likely to pierce the $4,000 relief ceiling.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I really do not know the right answer. JURONG TOWN CORPORATION FLATS (Revised scheme for rental) 14. Mr Ngeow Pack Hua asked the Minister for Finance whether he will ascertain from the Jurong Town Corporation the response to the announcement of the revised scheme for the rental of JTC flats.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not in a position to debate with the hon. Member whether or not the 5% increase given in 1974 was adequate. But if he feels that the situation now warrants another increase, perhaps we can have a look at the position. Dr Augustine Tan: Mr Speaker, Sir, just as a matter of interest, what would the Hon. Senior Minister of State think would constitute a significant increase in the cost of living?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Consumer Price Index at constant prices in 1972 was taken as 100. In 1973 it was 117.7. In 1974 it went up to 144. That was the period when the ex-gratia allowance was given. In 1975 it was almost the same, 147.7. In 1976 it was 144.9. In 1977 it was 149.5. I am suggesting here that between 1974 and 1977 there was no significant increase in the Consumer Price Index.”
“The Senior Minister of State for Communications (Mr Ong Teng Cheong) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Postal Services Department is planning to construct a new Postal Complex to handle all the mail processing operations which are presently being carried out at the Mails and Parcels Centre in the rented PSA godown premises at Nelson Road. The new Postal Complex will be equipped with a postal vehicle maintenance workshop as well as modern mechanised mail handling and sorting system to cater for the anticipated increase in the volume of mails over the next two decades. The proposed mechanised mail processing system will replace the existing manual operation methods in use. The proposed Postal Complex will be built on a 2.81 hectare site in the Jalan Eunos HDB Industrial Estate. The project which is scheduled for completion in 1981-82 is presently being evaluated by the Ministry of Finance.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the present Punggol Estate with 3,091 units of flats will be extended to form part of the future New Town in Au Kang which will eventually have 12,000 units of flats. The expansion programme will commence in the latter part of this year. FARMWAYS IN LORONGS BUANG KOK AND CHENG LIM (Metalling of and provision of street lights) 5. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether he is aware that farmways in the Lorong Buang Kok and Lorong Cheng Lim farming areas are not metalled and most of them are without street lights and when those farmways will be metalled and provided with street lights. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are plans in the current financial year to metal some of the roads and to install necessary street lights at Lorong Buang Kok and Lorong Cheng Lim Farmways. It has been estimated that the total cost of street lighting and metalling of 15 roads at these farmways would come to $770,000. As this is a substantial amount, the works will be carried out in stages, over a period of two to three years. NEW MAILS AND PARCELS CENTRE 6. Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether a new Mails and Parcels Centre will be built to replace the present one at Nelson Road which is temporarily accommodated in a Port of Singapore Authority godown and has inadequate facilities.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the small estate at the 13 1/2 km Punggol Road will initially have only 328 housing units. When it is expanded to its full development size by a further 222 units, consideration will then be given to providing shophouses and eating houses. Until such time, the needs of residents can be met by the existing shopping facilities at the 14 1/2 km Punggol Road. PUNGGOL HOUSING ESTATE (Extension of) 4. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether Punggol Estate will be extended; how many additional housing units will be built and when construction will commence.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the two existing pedestrian overhead bridges along that stretch of Old Airport Road are less than 400 metres apart. Therefore, there is no justification to provide another zebra crossing in between. Besides, a zebra crossing will adversely affect the heavy traffic flow along Old Airport Road. HDB ESTATE AT 13 1/2 KM PUNGGOL ROAD (Request for shops) 3. Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will request the Housing and Development Board to include shops in the small estate at 13 1/2 km, Punggol Road, which is nearing completion.”
“Sir, the approximate cost of the first project, that is, the overhead bridge across Mountbatten Road, is estimated to be about $95,000. The approximate cost of the second overhead bridge across Nicoll Highway is $490,000.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, recent pedestrian traffic counts showed that there is no justification for providing a pedestrian crossing across Marsiling Lane at Apartment Blocks 17 and 18. Pedestrians will have little difficulty in crossing the road as there are sufficient gaps in the traffic flow to allow for it. However, it was found that a pedestrian crossing is required across Marsiling Road near its junction with Marsiling Lane. A suitable crossing, either zebra or push button crossing, would be provided at this location. PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR SPECIAL PASS HOLDERS (Request for) 3. Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education whether he will consider granting permanent residence to a Special Pass holder whose family includes permanent residents or Singapore citizens.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, applications for hawker and market stalls from deserving farming cases could be referred to the Hawker Coordinating Committee under the Ministry of the Environment. If they have the necessary pre-requisites and they are deserving cases they would be considered accordingly. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (Prosecutions) 4. Mr Ivan Baptist asked the Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology (a) how many times every month during the last six months have the Weights and Measures office verified weighing and measuring instruments in markets, shops and other retail outlets; and (b) how many persons were prosecuted with regard to possession and use of faulty weights and short measure every month for the last six months in markets, shops and other retail outlets.”
“Sir, to assure the hon. Member, the staff establishment of the Singapore Polytechnic is almost full. The academic staff establishment is 281. In fact, it is almost full. I have indicated just now that whatever projections that we have for the next few years are normally considered in the budgeting of the establishment required. So to assure the Member, the intake of students is also projected according to the number of graduates that are needed, and therefore the staff are correspondingly budgeted for to cover a particular establishment. The Member has asked about job opportunities for these graduates. For those graduates who pass out from the Polytechnic with a diploma, most of the men will go into national service. After three years at the Polytechnic they go straight into national service. In fact, most of the women graduates get employment within the first six months after graduation quite easily. From the list given to me which gives the breakdown of the graduates for 1975, 1976, 1977, one can safely say that most of the Polytechnic graduates were employed. The most important point is that they are employed in the relevant field that they have studied at the Polytechnic.”
“Sir, I am sorry I do not know the reason for holding up the building of new offices at the Jurong Fish Market. I do not have the details, but I can subsequently provide the information to the Member for Jurong if he wants. I am given to understand that these new offices at the Jurong Fish Market are expected to be completed by August 1979. The Primary Production Department is at present negotiating with the Jurong Town Corporation for a new lease for the Jurong Fishing Port. Under this new lease an additional 1.4 hectares of land is expected to be made available for further development. The construction of additional wharf facilities will obviously be subject to the availability of funds. Mr Ho Kah Leong( In Mandarin): Sir, this answer is more satisfactory. I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. The sum of $179,659,430 for Head N ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. The sum of $1.255,524,450 for Head N ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates.”
“Sir, in the Central Fish Market in Jurong the fish merchants are very happy over the fact that after many years of hard negotiations the Primary Production Department has finally agreed to build permanent offices for their use. But the progress of the work seems to be much too slow. Piling work has not been completed yet. It has stopped half-way. I do not know why. Can the Minister enlighten this House as to the reasons for holding up the piling work? When will this new building be completed? The next point concerns the jetty at the Fish Market. The jetty is only 600 feet long which is inadequate for their use, particularly when deep sea fishing boats moor there. These deep sea fishing boats take up half the jetty space and the smaller fishing vessels have to queue up for a long time, causing them a lot of inconvenience. With this state of affairs the fish merchants often quarrel among themselves and they even fight at times. I would like to know if the present jetty can be extended.”
“Sir, with regard to his observation that out of 197 appeal cases, 89 cases were successful, it does not indicate that the Primary Production officers were slipshod in their assessment. If anything, it is mainly due to the representations made to MPs, such as the Member for Jurong and other rural MPs, that a more flexible assessment is made by the PPD officers for borderline cases. Under what conditions will additional land be given? I have indicated to the Member that the normal allocation for alternative farmlands varies between one and four acres, and that is dependent on farming activities. In other words, if a farmer has, for example, 2,000 pigs against another with 1,000 pigs, then the farmer with the larger number of pigs may be given a slightly bigger piece of land. I have also indicated that the additional land given is very small, only 0.1 hectare, and it is given because in cutting up into different plots of land, there are some remnant corner pieces which cannot really be put to any useful purpose and therefore they are added on to the adjacent plot thai is allotted to the farmers. In other words, this accounts for the variation in the areas between one and four acres that are allocated to the farmers. Mr Ho Kah Leong( In Mandarin): Sir, although the answer is not entirely satisfactory, but because of time factor, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. Mr Ho Kah Leong( In Mandarin): Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of item 1210 of Subhead Code NH-05 of the Main Estimates.”
“We will carry out frequent checks but it will continue to be a problem if the public who are moving to HDB flats simply neglect their dogs and leave them to stray. The best would be for members of the public to inform the Primary Production Department when they want to get rid of their dogs and also to ring up the PPD when they see stray dogs around. Mr Ho Kah Leong( In Mandarin): Sir, if I have not listened wrongly, in the answer given by the Minister of State he said that of the 577 cases of non-farmers there were 197 appeal cases, of which 89 cases were successful. This shows the magnanimity of the Appeal tribunal. But to me, it shows that the first decision of the department concerned has not been very accurate, although it is sympathetic enough in considering the appeals. There must be something wrong with the first decision of the PPD, otherwise there would not have been so many appeals with such a high percentage of success. If there were strict criteria to be followed then there would be fewer cases of appeal and there would be yet fewer cases of success. I hope the Minister will look into the matter. The Minister also talked about the physical allocation of land. There were 33 cases of farmers who were given more land than they were actually entitled to, by 0.1 hectare per farmer. I would like to ask the Minister the circumstances why are farmers given pieces of land larger than their entitlement. Can I have an explanation?”
“In all these cases, the additional land given is about 0.1 hectare per farmer. For his information, the normal farming land allocated for a farming case varies from one acre to four acres or about 0.4 to 1.6 hectares. As to his third query on the slaughter fees at the abattoir, since 1972 the slaughter fees have been revised and raised in 1974 and 1975. The revisions were staggered over two years to allow for a gradual increase and this is done with the agreement of the Pork Merchants Association. The reason for the upward revision is a general increase in operational expenditure, and obviously inflation. Lastly, the Member's query on pig liver. An average of 2,700 pigs are slaughtered in the abattoirs daily. Of the 2,700 livers examined daily, approximately 3% are found to be diseased and condemned. The main cause of condemnation of the liver is due to worm infestation. What would they do with them? Condemned liver, together with other condemned parts of the animals, are treated under high temperature after which they can be processed for animal feed. 5.00 p.m. The Member for Sembawang commented on stray dogs in his constituency, particularly in the Marsiling area. He has requested for somebody to hang around in the vicinity to catch the stray dogs. This is difficult unless he can tell us exactly when the stray dogs appear. In fact, if he or his constituents can tell us exactly when these stray dogs appear, they are most welcome to ring the Dog Control Unit of the Primary Production Department. This is situated at the City Veterinary Centre at Kampong Java. To satisfy him, the Marsiling area is frequently visited by the Dog Control Unit. In January, a total of 15 visits were made to the area, resulting in the capture of 45 stray dogs.”
“Sir, I will look into the observation made by the Member for Whampoa about the neglect of the Van Kleef Aquarium. The information required by the Member for Jurong is as follows. From 1973 to 1977 a total of 2,561 resettlement cases with evidence of some form of farm activities were referred to the Primary Production Department. Of these, 1,984 or about 80% were classified as farming cases. The remaining 577 cases were considered to be non-farmers. A total of 197 appealed for reconsideration. Of these, 89 were successful after their farming activities were reinvestigated. This must clearly show to the Member that his accusation that the Primary Production Department officers have no proper procedures to assess farming activities is incorrect. The criteria used in determining the size of the land to be allocated to farmers for farming are based not on the physical size of the land that they were occupying, but on the farming efficiency and type of farming activities carried out at the time when their farms were surveyed for resettlement consideration. At the time when the land is physically allocated, a few farmers have been given land slightly larger than their eligibility. This is simply because the boundaries of these selected pieces of land have been pegged out in such a way that they cannot be altered or repegged into smaller areas with the remaining area serving any useful purpose. In other instances, farmers have been allocated slightly larger plots of land because of the increased number of livestock kept during the intervening period between the survey and the physical land allocation. Of the 499 farmers who have been allocated alternative land over the last five years, 33 farmers have been given slightly more land.”
“Sir, I would like to assure the Member that I would bring this matter up with the Resettlement Department and hope that the situation would improve.”
“On the question of request for a hawker licence, MPs can make such requests to the relevant authority provided the necessary prerequisites are there. For example, a person must be over 40 years and is completely dependent on a livelihood, and so on and so forth. I think I have more or less answered the points that the Member has raised.”
“Sir, I have in previous years said that all officers dealing with resettlement cases have been given standing instructions to be helpful and courteous at all times and to render whatever assistance required of them. We have also told them to help those affected by interpreting and explaining all official documents and procedures. In fact, they have to explain to the people concerned before asking them to sign a particular document. To be fair, the Resettlement Department has issued information sheets. For example, in the establishment of bona fide cases, such as length of residence in a particular area, we have given a list of items of particulars that can be used as evidence to establish their residence at a particular address. That information sheet has been circulated to all residents affected by resettlement or acquisition. We believe that all necessary steps have been taken. There could be cases of individual officers who did not conform to these standing instructions. If the Member has a specific case in mind, he should write to the Ministry because it would be easier for the Ministry to investigate specific complaints. On the Member's complaint of poor coordination between the HDB and the Resettlement Department, for his information the Resettlement Department is under the Housing and Development Board. So I find it difficult to understand how there could be non-cooperation. We all concede that perhaps there could be some miscommunication between the officers, and I think this should be taken as particular instances rather than a generalisation. 4.45 p.m. With regard to the difficulties of finding alternative employment for those senior citizens or old farmers, there is really very little that the Resettlement Department can do.”
“Sir, let me take the comments made by the Member for Telok Blangah. The resettlement policy is clear-cut, irrespective of religions, irrespective of owners and irrespective of organisations. I am appreciative of the Member's problem and I would suggest that if he is asking for a postponement he should write in to the authorities for consideration. But if the request is for an exemption of acquisition, then I think it is a separate issue. The best way for the Member to approach his problem would be to write to the relevant authority for extension of time. The hon. Member for Changi has made observations to the effect that the resettlement officers are high-handed, unsympathetic, bureaucratic, unscrupulous, etc. We all agree that people affected by resettlement have to undergo a difficult process of changing their environment and, in some cases, as in the case of the old farmers that he was talking about, a change in their occupations. This process is a difficult one, hence rules relating to the eligibility of compensation and resettlement benefits have been introduced to alleviate the problems encountered. Obviously, these resettlement benefits or compensation can only be provided to bona fide cases. In the process of establishing the bona fides of a particular case, a certain course of action must be taken, such as taking a census, conducting interviews, and making assessments. I would like to assure the Member that every assistance is being given to help these resettlement cases to find alternative accommodation and a fair and reasonable compensation is also given to deserving cases.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I concede that point. I have been to a block of emergency flats. It was just a slip of my tongue. The Member for Telok Blangah has asked who is responsible for defects in HDB flats after the period of 12 months has lapsed. It is the responsibility of the owners. If a person buys a flat and the guarantee period is over, then it will be his responsibility to make good any defects, unless he can show that the defect occurs in common areas. If there are structural defects in the common areas which could be considered as the responsibility of the HDB, then the HDB will look into it.”
“We will look into the matter. Regarding notice boards placed at focal points, for example, at shopping centres, hawker centres, markets, town centres and so on, proper notice boards are being placed at these focal points. There is no objection if the community centres wish to put up notices concerning their particular housing estate. They are most welcome to do that. Woodlands Estate is no different from the other housing estates and notice boards are provided at almost all focal points. As to his suggestion regarding the locking of the gate at that particular market, not all markets are of the type which he has described. But to be more specific, if he is referring to that particular type we will look at it, and if it is practical to implement his suggestion we will do so. Finally, on the comments made by the Member for Chai Chee, regarding the beautification plan that members of his CCC and other groups are implementing, this is something which others should emulate if they wish to proceed with their beautification programme quickly. This is better than waiting for the higher authorities, such as the HDB, to provide the estates with all the facilities which Members are requesting.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, let me clarify the position. When I say, "one swallow does not make a summer", perhaps I did not clearly state that I was referring to a major breakdown which the Member had mentioned. I concede that the case which the Member referred to was a major breakdown and the repairs lasted more than one or two months. I also concede that minor faults occur frequently. I do not have the statistics. I can compile statistics for the old estates to find out the situation, I will look into the matter. We have a 24-hour emergency or maintenance service in the Housing and Development Board. This particular 24-hour service is meant to undertake minor repairs. Let us be clear in our minds that one kind of service is for major repairs and the other is for minor repairs. When I say, "replacement of lifts", I am referring to a situation where repairs would amount to such a gigantic sum that it would not serve any purpose in proceeding with the repairs. It is probably more sensible to replace them with new lifts. It is obvious that with the standard of HDB flats, the lifts that we provide cannot be compared with commercial shopping centres. Once a lift of a certain size is installed to fit the lift shaft that is provided, then there is very little we can do about the size. Even with the best of intentions, we cannot increase the lift capacity because we are limited to the dimensions of the lift shaft that we have originally provided. The only hope we can have is that, if capacity is the problem, perhaps when the lifts in the old flats break down, then better lifts could be installed. Another assurance which I have forgotten to give to the Member for Tiong Bahru is that the HDB is willing to consider converting the old 2-room SIT flats into four-room flats.”
“25 These statistics clearly show that the overall maintenance of lifts in HDB flats is in a reasonable order. I would conclude that the unhappy incident that he has experienced in his constituency is an exception rather than the rule. He has also indicated that vandalism is the cause. He has also agreed with us that the cooperation of the constituents is required. The only point that we concede is that the services of the lift company responsible for that particular incident could be improved. I would convey the Member's strong protest on the way the repairs have been carried out, we are also taking active steps to try and reduce the number of breakdowns. To do this, the mechanical and electrical components have to be improved. Courses are being conducted to train more lift mechanics. The old lifts which he is concerned about are regularly checked for performance and safety, and defective parts replaced. As a matter of policy, when old liftS are too costly to be repaired they are being replaced by new ones. That policy which he is thinking about is actually being implemented. The HDB is taking steps to ensure that the maintenance of lifts is carried out as efficiently as possible and exceptional incidents of the nature which the Member has mentioned will hopefully be minimised. But I do not think that it could be totally reduced.”
“The rentals were then fixed in relation to capital cost and outgoings, and there was therefore a wide range of rentals, differing with each contract. But the main point of argument here is that while these old SIT flats are being charged $65.50 or $66.50 per month including conservancy charges as compared to $57 per month for the newer two-room HDB flats, the conservancy charges are meant to cover refuse collection, grass cutting, lighting, cleaning of common areas, lifts, and things of this nature. It does not take into account the maintenance of buildings. Therefore, both rentals are already highly subsidised by Government. Generally the subsidy is as high as 50%. Maintaining the old SIT flats cost more than maintaining the new HDB flats. Therefore, HDB is regretfully not agreeable to a reduction of the rentals. I have explained that this is mainly due to maintenance cost which is quite different from conservancy charges. Lastly, the Member for Alexandra is unhappy over the numerous breakdowns of lifts at Stirling Road. One swallow does not make a summer. Arising from one particular experience, it is unfair to drag down the whole of the HDB's maintenance unit in the process. However, he has asked what steps we are taking to reduce these lift breakdowns to the minimum. A few days ago, on 13th March, in this House I have replied to a Question tabled by the Member for Potong Pasir who queried on lift breakdowns. I will give him the statistics. For December 1977 there were 2,959 lifts and the number of breakdowns for that month was 3,720. The average for the second half of 1977 is as follows: Average No. 1977 of breakdowns July 1.23 August 1.32 September 1.27 October 1.27 November 1.26 December 1.”
“This is for the whole of Singapore. If hon. Members are interested in a particular constituency, I have the figures here. I can give them personally, both for Tiong Bahru and Kim Seng. Since I am replying in the same vein, I will take the Member for Tiong Bahru first before I come to the Member for Alexandra. The Member for Tiong Bahru has made two observations. I have already explained about the one-room emergency flats and I hope he is satisfied with the reply. As far as better lighting, safety precautions and complaints of that nature are concerned, I think we are all agreed that these are vital and I see no reason why the HDB should neglect these facilities. Incidentally, on the comments made by the Member for Whampoa about a reduction in the number of lights in the corridors, perhaps it could be that the lights provided have a higher voltage. I really do not know. But these are details that can be sorted out quite easily. The Member for Tiong Bahru has touched on switching from a tenancy agreement for the hawkers into one of a licence, as in the case of the Ministry of the Environment. Perhaps I can state my view on this. A tenancy agreement has security of tenure over a licence, although you may have to pay a higher stamp fee at the end of each year. However, the HDB will liaise with the Ministry of the Environment, and we will consider the switch that he has requested. If both sides are agreeable, we can look into its implementation. The second observation made by him concerns the different rentals between the two-room flats in Blocks 115 and 117 and the nine blocks of two-room flats built by the SIT. The explanation here is one of costing. Those nine blocks of flats were built by SIT as early as 1959.”
“Here again, it is not so much the unwillingness of the HDB to provide some form of facilities to alleviate the very dull conditions in these old estates. The constraint of an old estate is the limited land area. Despite the limited number of pots of flowers, plants and trees, I agree that attempts need to be made to improve the situation. I can assure hon. Members that despite the limited land area available the HDB is willing to listen to whatever suggestions that Members have. The more immediate action to be taken is this general policy that the HDB is agreeable to convert the one- room emergency flats into two-room or three-room flats. Even in those estates where there is a shortage of open space, some of these one-room emergency flats or blocks could be knocked down as suggested by the Member for Kim Seng so as to create some open space in these old estates. I was also told that for one-room improved flats built in the early sixties the Board is now looking into the possibility of upgrading the standard of these flats to bring them up to the standard of the present one-room new generation type of flats. We are also agreeable, in view of the comments by the Member for Whampoa regarding hardship cases and lower income groups, that there is no intention to convert all the emergency flats. There is a general thinking that, depending on the demand of this category of dwellers, at least 25% to 30% would be retained for this category of dwellers. When will all these steps be taken? The indications are that we will try to do them within the next two to three years. The problem is not a simple one. The Board is at present managing something like 17,564 units of one-room emergency flats and 54,524 units of these old one-room improved flats.”
“Sir, to answer the question from the hon. Member for Anson, the provision of $38,950 in the FY 78 Estimates represents the residual amount from previously approved funds which are available for the mass transit study project. The funds are required to meet miscellaneous expenditure including communication with the consultants at the World Bank on the concluding stages of the consultants' report and the World Bank review. The position is that Phase I and Phase II studies have already been completed, as mentioned by the hon. Member for Kim Seng. The latest position in regard to the Mass Transit study programme will be given by the Senior Minister of State for Communications when this subject comes up for debate later under Head O, Ministry of Communications. I hope he will get the latest position from the Senior Minister of State for Communications. Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ng Kah Ting: (9) That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of item 8101 of Subhead Code NC-03 of the Development Estimates.”
“Sir, I choose not to go into a debate on this particular topic because it seems that we are talking of two different things. If he is talking about slabs around trees, yes, I concede that. I even concede that if the slabs are obstructing pedestrians, I am prepared to have them removed and replace them with beautiful coloured tiles. However, if he can be more specific about his complaint, I suggest that he write to me or to the Ministry of National Development and tell us exactly where it is, and I can assure him that we will do the necessary repairs that he wants.”
“Sir, I think the Member for Potong Pasir has not got his facts right. When he talks about beautiful young ladies failing over, I think he is referring to areas where we put BG slabs. These slabs are laid at the base of trees planted in the central or suburban areas. If the Member can show me any walkway with BG slabs which cause an obstruction to pedestrians like him, I will be too happy to remove them. I am surprised he brought up the question of the walkway around the Singapore Conference Hall. The fact of the matter is this. The walkway along the Shenton Way frontage of the Singapore Conference Hall is 3.9 metres wide and it has a granulitic finish, which means it has a plain straight finish. It is in fairly good condition. On the other side of the Singapore Conference Hall, facing Maxwell Road, the walkway is 1.5 metre wide and it has a cement rendering, and it is also found to be in good condition.”
“Sir, I think it is most unfair to expect me to go round inspecting the roads. Since the Member is agreeable that the PWD is efficient, I can assure him that the present system allows for notification of any areas which need to be patched up and I think they are being done as expeditiously as it is possible.”
“Sir, statistically it could be interpreted the other way - that due to the efficiency of the Roads Department, the cost, despite inflation, has been kept at that same level. In other words, it indicates that the number of repairs is less than in previous years. To be fair to the PWD, a general observation would indicate that our roads are, by any means, of a reasonably high standard. Our roads are in a better condition now than they were five or six years ago.”
“The PWD also carries out surprise checks at the contractor's mixing plants and samples of the asphalt are sent again to the engineering laboratory for a test. So far, the tests carried out indicate that the materials comply with the PWD specification. Incidentally, the number of contractors for this type of work is limited. They are normally well screened before they am allowed to tender for road projects. I have also indicated in my Oral Answer in this House at that time that more than 80% of the damage to road pavements occurred at bus stops, bus lanes or at road junctions. This is due mainly to oil spillage over a period of time and this has the effect of softening and dissolving the asphalt in the road pavement and, therefore, resulting in a loss of the binding quality. The PWD is currently looking into the use of certain additives to prevent the asphalt paving from unravelling during continuous inclement weather. Its effectiveness will have to be tested and monitored over a period of time before we can come to the conclusion that a particular additive is most effective. 3.00 p.m.”
“Sir, the Member for Telok Blangah could be referring to the Oral Answer given to the Question tabled by the Member for Thomson on 31st January, 1978. In the Oral Answer, I have indicated that oil spillage over a period of time seems to be the main cause. I did not give the impression that it is the sole cause. I have also explained that towards the end of 1977, the weather situation was rather exceptional in that the amount of rainfall happened to be more than previous years. We have sufficient statistics to assure the Member that, as far as the expenditures on road patching for 1977, 1976 and 1975 were concerned, they were approximately the same. If he is interested, I will submit information to that effect. In other words, I am suggesting that it was nothing unusual except that towards the last few months of 1977, because of rainfall being heavier than normal, the expenditure was a little higher. However, since this is of concern to the Member for Telok Blangah as well as to a few other Members in this House, I would reiterate the stringent exercise carried out by PWD to ensure that the materials used for road surfacing are in accordance with specifications. The quality control measures taken include the following: the grading of the stone aggregate size is supervised; the bitumen content, the structural stability of the asphalt concrete, the temperature at the time of laying and the laying of the premix asphalt are also supervised. Samples of materials used at every stage are taken and sent to the PWD's laboratory for testing and analysis. If the asphalt arriving at the site is less than the minimum temperature, it is rejected. Substandard materials are also rejected. The newly laid layers are either taken off or an additional new layer of premix asphalt is added.”
“Therefore, it cannot be completed earlier than 1980. Mr Teong Eng Siong( In Mandarin): Sir, the Senior Minister of State's reply is quite satisfactory, and I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn. The following amendment stood in the name of Mr Ivan Baptist: That the sum to be allocated for Head N be reduced by $10 in respect of item 1210 of Subhead Code NC-03 of the Main Estimates.”
“Sir, I would like to assure the Member for Sembawang that there is a comprehensive programme for walkways in the urban and suburban areas. As to his request for standards of walkways similar to those at Shenton Way, I cannot see the possibility of his request being granted. Perhaps he is requesting for footpaths rather than walkways. If that is so, it can be considered and I would raise this matter with the Urban and Rural Services Committee. With regard to his wanting to know more about the widening of Upper Thomson Road and Sembawang Road, I can inform him that this is being carried out in three stages. The section of Upper Thomson Road from Sembawang Hill Circus to Mandai Road is under construction and is expected to be completed at the end of the year. The next section of Sembawang Road, from Mandai Road to Jalan Sembawang Kechil, is already completed. For the final section, subject to resettlement and clearance of affected stretches on time, tenders for the widening of Sembawang Road, from Jalan Sembawang Kechil to Admiralty Road, is scheduled to be called in May this year and we hope to complete it by early 1980. I can assure the Member that fair compensation and resettlement benefits will be given to those affected by resettlement, provided they are genuine resettlement cases. On his third query about the situation of the roadworks from Admiralty Road to Marsiling Road, there are a few roads connecting these two main roads. Three of them, namely, Riverside Road, Marsiling Lane and Marsiling Drive, are already completed. The remaining link is the proposed Woodlands Centre Road. This is a major road which would cross four existing trunk water mains. The construction of this stretch of road has to be planned in conjunction with the protection of these water mains.”
“We will take up his suggestion and liaise with the Traffic Police or the Ministry of Home Affairs to look into other areas which cause difficulties to pedestrians crossing road junctions.”
“Sir, the Member for Anson has commented on two salient points; (1) traffic jams occur frequently along the stretch of road from Keppel Road to Anson Road, and (2) the traffic lights do not synchronise at this stretch. The traffic jams that occur along this stretch of road are due to the narrow width of the road and also to the three closely spaced road junctions that the Member has mentioned, namely, the Cantonment, Tanjong Pagar and Anson Roads. This section of Keppel Road is presently being widened and road works are expected to be completed in about four months' time. With regard to the traffic lights, Keppel Road at the moment carries traffic in both directions and, therefore, it will not be possible to provide progressive green phases at the signalised junctions for both directions of traffic. This progressive green phase can only be provided in one direction. However, new signal controllers will be installed in conjunction with the proposed computerised traffic signal control system which is expected to be commissioned around the end of 1979 or 1980. The other area of congestion along Anson Road is due to the narrow section of Anson Road between Parsi Road and Keppel Road which also carries two directional traffic. Shenton Way at the moment is being extended to connect with Keppel Road. When completed, Shenton Way and Anson Road will be turned into a one-way pair, thus resolving the present congestion along this stretch of Anson Road. 2.45 p.m. The traffic signals along Keppel Road/Anson Road and Shenton Way will incorporate the red man/green man signals. Hopefully they will help to facilitate pedestrian movement.”
“Sir, the Ministry of National Development is responsible for the planning and implementation of the project. As for the internal facilities like medical equipment and staff, I think that could best be answered by the Minister for Health because we are in no position to answer, I therefore presume or I can even assume that since there are medical experts on the relevant committees, they will get the best of facilities that are available in 1985 for the new hospital. Dr Ong Leong Boon: Sir, in spite of the "assumes" and "presumes", I take it that it is outside the Senior Minister of State's jurisdiction to really give a satisfactory reply in that respect. I think he has given a good answer, and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment by leave, withdrawn.”
“Sir, I presume that the standard of the facilities would be at least equivalent, if not better than the facilities at the Singapore General Hospital. The reason is that there are two Planning committees for the Kent Ridge project. One Planning committee is under the Chairmanship of the Director of Medical Services with a number of medical experts. Another Executive Planning committee is under Professor Tock with a number of professors from the various departments. As far as the facilities are concerned, I assume that they will be up to the standard. With regard to the medical school, I understand that it is not the intention to have teaching facilities that will take over the entire existing teaching facilities at the Singapore General Hospital. I understand that most hospitals will have some form of teaching facilities. Perhaps the entire University medical department may be shifted to the new hospital.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the hon. Member for Kim Seng has requested information on the physical development of Kent Ridge Hospital. Kent Ridge Hospital has been planned for construction in two phases as a general hospital with facilities for clinical teaching. A total of 752 beds will be provided when the project is completed. The planning and design work for the hospital was completed in April 1977. Architectural, mechanical, electrical, structural, quantity surveying and site clearance work are in progress. Barring any unforeseen delays, it is expected that major earthworks will commence in the second quarter and piling in the third quarter of this year. The building for Phase I is expected to commence in January 1979 and to be completed in January 1983. The facilities to be completed under Phase I will include 485 beds for medicine, surgery and orthopaedics for principal diagnostic treatment, academic departments, area for administration, the central plant and areas for supportive services such as pharmacy, kitchen, central sterile supplies department, linen, etc. The building for Phase II is scheduled to commence in July 1982 and expected to be completed in July 1985. The facilities for Phase II will include 267 beds for paediatrics, ENT, obstetrics and gynaecology, the departments for social medicine and public health, the remainder of the academic offices, laboratories and the dental faculty. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $144,203,150. The estimated cost for Phase I is $115,313,925. The estimated cost for Phase II is $28,889,225.”
“Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply has made further progress on the Main and Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 1978 to 31st March, 1979 and ask leave to sit again tomorrow.”