Teh Cheang Wan
Singapore
“The Board does not propose to reinstitute the procedure for the resale of flats at the respective Area Offices in Ang Mo Kio New Town. As a pilot project, the Board has centralised the resale of Ang Mo Kio flats at Sales Section, Maxwell Road.”
“At the contract price or whatever it is, and this is due to the mistake made by the HDB, the HDB has been quite generous. If the mistake made by the HDB staff has been to sell the flat at lower than the posted price, then the owner has the benefit of this mistake.”
“The Member for Potong Pasir is asking a question which I have to check for an answer. I do not carry with me the millions of accounts of HDB flat-owners with me. So I cannot give him an immediate answer. But I can assure the Member for Potong Pasir that those people will be refunded.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since the announcement by HDB on 4th July 1986, 49 HUDC lessees appealed to the Board to buy their flats. All were unsuccessful. As at 20th September 1986, 27 HUDC flat owners had sold their flats in the open market. Twelve of them sold their flats above their original purchase prices.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, since the implementation of the policy, HDB has resold 13 HUDC flats from among those flats HDB bought back from the HUDC owners. In addition, HDB has sold 44 new HUDC flats. The slow sale of HUDC flats is due mainly to the depressed property market.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I have no figures readily available as to how many of these 49 HUDC flat-owners who requested the Board to buy back the flats have committed themselves to buying other property.”
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“But in implementing this policy, the HDB has been very flexible. That is to say, if the commercial establishments are able to show proof that they were already at the site before the cut-off date, for example, by producing their business registration certificates bearing the address of their premises in the resettlement site, and if the businessmen can produce their income tax returns showing that their enterprises have paid income tax and are operating at the address of the clearance site, the HDB will consider them as having been in that site and will offer them the benefit of alternative accommodation. If they can also show further proof, like the CPF returns for their employees, to show that they have employed people and the address given is the resettlement site, we will also take that as proof that they were at the site before the cut-off date. If they can produce their PUB bills showing they were at the resettlement site, they will also be entitled to alternative accommodation. We have also extended this flexibility to the insurance certificate: if the business address is the clearance site, we will also offer alternative accommodation. In other words, although we have implemented the policy on the cut-off date, we are extremely flexible. Whenever the affected cases can show proof that they were at the resettlement site, we will give them sympathetic consideration. On the question of low water pressure on the top floors of the flats raised by the Members for Telok Blangah, Geylang Serai and Kaki Bukit, the HDB is well aware of the low water pressure on the top floors. In fact, the HDB has introduced several measures to improve the water pressure, for instance, installing new stainless steel water pipes to supply water to the topmost two floors.”
“On the question of granting priority to people who are living in old estates, by building additional new flats so that they do not have to move out of their estates, this proposal is not practical. For example, we have 36,000 units of flats in Toa Payoh. Let us assume that 10% or 20% of the families in Toa Payoh would like their children to live with them in the new flats in Toa Payoh. Then on the basis of 20%, HDB will have to build another 7,200 new units to meet this demand. But as we all know, in Toa Payoh itself there is just simply no land for the HDB to build 7,200 new flats. This proposal is a good proposal if it is practical and realistic. But it is not possible. In future it may be possible, in the sense that after the year 2000, maybe the demand for 1 -room flats is no longer there. The income of Singaporeans will have improved to such an extent that there will be a lot of vacant 1 -room flats. In that situation, we might be able to knock down the 1-room flats and then build new flats. But to do so immediately is not possible. It is not realistic. In the future maybe. On the points raised by the Member for Geylang Serai about the cut-off date for the resettlement cases, when we earlier debated the question of resettlement, it has been explained quite clearly that without the cut-off date the resettlement policy will collapse. There will be so many gate-crashers that the policy will not work. This also applies to commercial enterprises. That means commercial enterprises which are in operation before the cut-off date will be offered alternative shops or alternative factories. But if they are found to have moved into the site after the cut-off date, then they will not be offered alternative accommodation.”
“If there are parents who happen to live next door to this Toa Payoh flat offered for sale, then the parents can ask their children to buy the flat and move to stay with them in Toa Payoh. This arrangement is beneficial to many families. This means that the families who are moving out from a 3-room flat in an old estate to a bigger flat in a new estate will make some money to help them to buy a bigger flat. Normally it is not possible for people to buy a flat in an old estate but because of this arrangement they are able to get another flat so that the family can live together. With all these schemes, we are able to keep a large number of families together. The HDB has no proposal to introduce other schemes. On the question which the hon. Member has asked as to whether the HDB has a scheme for the improvement of the old estates, the HDB has plans to demolish flats in the old estates, which are obsolete. For example, there is no demand for the 1 - room emergency flats and there is a high rate of vacancy. In fact, the HDB has demolished 1 -room emergency flats and in their place we have built better flats. But as for the old housing estates in Toa Payoh, perhaps there is only a limited number of areas which the HDB can build new flats. On an island-wide basis, the HDB has a long-term plan to build sufficient flats to meet the demand necessitated by increases of population and formation of new families. It will also enable families who are not able to live together in the old estates to move to new estates so that they can live together under the various schemes which I have spelt out.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, on the point raised by the Member for Boon Teck, the HDB has at present four specific schemes to encourage married children to stay with their parents and, therefore, keep the families together. These schemes are well known. The first is the joint balloting scheme, under which parents.and married children on the waiting list can ballot for adjoining flats or flats in the same estate. The second scheme is the mutual exchange scheme. Flat owners are permitted to swop their flats when they have stayed in their particular flats for a minimum period of one year. For swopping their flats, the owners need not have to pay anything to the HDB other than a small legal fee. The tenants of rental flats are also given priority to transfer to other rental flats if this transfer is to enable them to live near to their parents. Another scheme which is well known is the multi-tier family priority housing scheme, where married applicants who include their parents and grand parents in their application to purchase HDB flats are granted three years' priority retrospective from the date of registration. This will enable them to jump the queue to get their flats considerably earlier. In addition to these four schemes, the people can purchase resale flats in the locality of their own choice when these flats are offered for sale. This scheme serves two purposes. First, those who have been living in flats for a period of five years and would like to move on to larger flats can sell their flats at a much higher value. For example, there is a family living in a 3-room flat in Toa Payoh and they want to move to Ang Mo Kio.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I agree with the hon. Member for Alexandra that the request for a signalized junction at Queensway and Commonwealth Drive in Alexandra Constituency has been dragging on for many years. But there are very good reasons for this long delay. A few years ago when the Member for Alexandra first requested for the installation of a traffic signal at the junction of Queensway and Commonwealth Drive, the PWD was not able to accede to the request because of the concern that an additional traffic signal would further worsen the already congested traffic conditions along Queensway. At that time Queensway was still a two-lane dual carriageway, and it was extremely congested. Since then Queensway has been widened and the traffic condition in the area has improved. Micro-processor traffic signal controllers are also available now for traffic signalling to minimize the disruption to the traffic flow. Thus, instead of just widening the stretch of Commonwealth Drive between Tanglin Halt and Queensway, as requested by the hon. Member, the PWD will now take the opportunity to improve the junction by installing new traffic signals. 4.00 pm The change of plan necessitated some redesigning and this has delayed the widening of Commonwealth Drive. The project will now commence next month. In fact, the funds have been obtained. I understand this has been conveyed to the Honorary Secretary of the Alexandra CCC. I hope that this problem has now been resolved to the satisfaction of the hon. Member.”
“He can apply for a new flat, and when he is allocated a new flat, he can sell his old flat. Another possibility is this. He sells his flat and purchases another flat in the open market, because anybody who has lived for more than five years in an HDB flat can sell his flat. So he can sell his flat and buy another one. In that way he can achieve his objective of changing to another flat. But unfortunately, all these three alternatives were rejected by him. Eventually, the HDB referred the case to the Allocation Com- mittee and the Committee suggested that he can sell his existing flat to the HDB, and then HDB will offer him a rental flat, namely, a two-room rental flat. He can then register for a new flat and when the new flat is available, he can then move into the new flat. I hope that with this wide range of choices he will be able to solve his problems. But I would like to add that on the management of the physical aspects of the estates, the HDB has almost 25 years of experience, since 1960, in the management and planning of housing estates. HDB is competent. But if we come to the social area, then the HDB is not that competent. If a husband and wife quarrel and the HDB official interferes, what can happen is, as a Chinese saying goes, "If you are not careful, you may be hammered by both."”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB adopts a total approach to public housing. The HDB new towns and estates are comprehensively planned and are provided with a full range of facilities to meet the residents' needs for housing, shopping, entertainment, schools, sports, recreation and employment. About 20% of the land in each new town is set aside for light industry in order to create job opportunities for the residents. The HDB also assumes full responsibility for estate management, including the maintenance of the building and grounds, repairs, re-decoration, cleansing and upkeep. On the social aspect, as mentioned by the hon. Member for Chong Boon, the HDB residents are serviced by grassroots organizations, such as CCCs, MCs and RCs. They work closely and effectively with HDB area offices to resolve problems and to look after the residents' interests. In addition, the HDB has established a Social Awareness Unit which helps to identify families with problems and refer them to the relevant social agencies for assistance. Sometimes there are problems relating to HDB which are rather complicated, but HDB is always flexible. I just want to quote a case which, I think, has been brought to the attention of HDB by the hon. Member himself. The owner of a flat, for very good reasons, wants to exchange his flat. The HDB has, in fact, given the lessee several alternatives. The HDB has advised him that under the HDB rules, he can exchange his flat With another lessee. In other words, it is a mutual exchange of flats. The HDB allows this. Then he can also register for a new flat and sell his existing flat to a buyer of his own choice in the open market, as he has already been living in the flat for more than five years. This is also allowed under the HDB rules.”
“And after having paid the vacant possession value for the property, the Government cannot assume responsibility for rehousing the former tenants.”
“Yes.So I just want to clarify that to accept his proposal would result in this situation and obviously it is not practical. The second point is on the cut-off date. It is not possible for the Government to allow anybody to gate-crash into the site even though some persons may be unaware of this cut-off date. I agree with him that not everybody is aware of the Gazette notification date. People may not read it. But the fact is that this rule has to be imposed, otherwise the resettlement policy cannot be enforced. The third point is about vacant possession of the property. It is very simple. If a landowner can arrive at an agreement with the tenants to pay the tenants a certain sum of money for them to vacate the rent-controlled property, and if the tenants just accept the money so that the owner can get enhanced compensation, then after that the tenants could come back and say, as the hon. Member has suggested, "Look here. I am sorry. I have been cheated by the owners. In fact, I have no intention of vacating. I did not realize what I signed on that document, and so the Government should give me alternative accommodation." If the claim is acceptable, we would open up a loophole. First, Government would have to pay for vacant possession. And after having paid the vacant possession value to the landowner, Government would have to rehouse the tenants who are not supposed to be there. Therefore, in these Craig Road cases, though we sympathise with the tenants who are in these very difficult circumstances, the law has to prevail. The rule has to be upheld. As long as it is legally proved that the landowner has delivered vacant possession of the property to the Government, Government has to pay the landowner the vacant possession value.”
“The Member for Anson said at the beginning that the Government should accept the responsibility to rehouse all the people in the resettled area. He put forward that proposition. I explained to him why his proposal cannot be accepted by Government. If his proposal is accepted, then Government would have to rehouse the work permit holders, the illegal immigrants and everybody else because he has not made any qualifications. He mentioned that anybody who has been found at the site of the resettlement, Government should accept the responsibility. Am I correct in saying that?”
“It is not possible for the Resettlement Depanment to handle clearance beyond a certain number because they just do not have enough manpower to tackle this problem. The suggestion made by the Member for Kaki Bukit is good - that the Resettlement Department should handle everything. But this is not practical because the Resettlement Department simply does not have enough manpower to handle resefflement cases and also, as suggested by the Member, to demolish the structures to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, to maintain the cleanliness of these resettled areas and to prevent people from going into the resenied sites. It is just beyond their means. The Resettlement Department just does not have so many people to handle the job. I would like to repeat again that if there are any exceptional cases, special cases, and Members of this House feel very strongly that my Ministry has to pay special attention, I would be very happy to receive those cases.”
“So if they come back and tell me that in Johore the fruit trees alone without the land, are worth more than $30,000 per hectare, then I will be happy to review the policy. I will tell the HDB, "Our policy is wrong. We will review it again." What I would like to stress is that the Government's reseftlement policy has been enforced since 1960 and it is continually being reviewed and revised. The policy at present is fair and reasonable and has generally worked very well. However there may be exceptional cases which require special consideration. I would be happy to consider these special cases. If hon. Members also feel very strongly about these cases, they can write to me or to my Senior Parliamentary Secretary, and I will ask the HDB to look into them. On the point raised by the Member for Kaki Bukit about resettlement in his area, my answer is very similar to that given to the Member for Nee Soon. Generally the scale of clearance is large and we have to take it in phases. Therefore, some of the resettlement cases can be handled early while others are handied later. It is not possible for us to handle all of them at once because the resettlement workload is enormous. Everyone of us in this House knows that Government has a very big housing programme. The Ministry of Education has a very big school development programme, i.e. the junior college programme. The Public Works Department has a very big road construction programme. The Jurong Town Corporation has a large industrial development programme. Then the Ministry of the Environment has its drainage and irrigation programme. I can go on and on with these programmes involving more than a thousand resealement cases every month which the Reseftlement Department has to handle.”
“After we removed the ceiling, some squaners were planting them at less than five sq metres per tree. This will give you some idea of the abuse. It is not possible for durian trees to bear fruit if they are planted so close together. Therefore, the re-imposition of the ceiling was essential. I disagree with the hon. Member for Nee Soon that because our compensation rate is so low the farmers had to reson to this additional planting. I will just give some statistics on the amount of the compensation we paid to the farmers last year. Percentage Compensations Paid of farmers Below $50,000 25.2 $50,000 - $75,000 32.3 $75,000 - $100,000 24.4 $100,000 - $150,000 14.0 $150,000 - $200,000 2.7 Above $200,000 1.4 The claim that the farmers are getting very little compensation and therefore they have no choice but to plant a lot of trees is not true. But I must admit that farmers are very enterprising because whenever there is any possibility of getting additional compensation, they will try to get more. That is why we were forced to re-introduce the ceiling. 3.30 pm I am quite satisfied with the ceiling of $30,000 per hectare. It is very generous. If anybody thinks this is unreasonable, he can just take a short trip to Johore to find out the prices of orchards there. You can ask them, "In your opinion, how much is one hectare of orchard wonh, and what is the value of the land and the value of the trees?" Our compensation of $30,000 per hectare is for the trees alone, not for the land. For the land, we have to compensate the landowner again. The farmers do not own the land. That $30,000 is paid as compensation for the trees.”
“These rates will be further reviewed when there is a need for it. At present I do not think there is a need to review the rates because they have just been reviewed only a short time ago. As we know, in the last two years the inflation rate in Singapore is insignificant. So there is really no valid ground for a review. But in future if there is a ground for review, I will review it. The issue of compensation for fruit trees has been discussed at some length in this House. Prior to 1979, there was a ceiling imposed on the compensation of fruit trees. Since 1979 we have removed the ceiling under the new resettlement policy and the compensation has been paid according to the actual number of trees counted on site. As I have said, our farmers in Singapore are very enterprising. As soon as the ceiling was removed, an enormous number of fruit trees were planted. I was told by the resettlement officers that at times they could not even get into the land because the trees were planted so close to one another. It was impossible to walk through. That is the reason why I say there is no point in having a Civil Servants' Committee because the Committee is just no match for the enterprise of the farmers. At that time it was not possible for the civil servants to foresee that the farmers would cash in on this compensation for the planting of fruit trees. So in 1982 the Government found it necessary to re-impose the ceiling because a large number of the squafters had abused the removal of this ceiling by planting an excessive number of trees on their land. Let me just give Members an example. The normal planting standard allowed for durian trees is about 83 sq metres per tree to enable the durians to bear fruit. This is the advice of PPD experts.”
“We have experienced this for the last 25 years. More than 100,000 resettlement cases have been dealt with by the HDB. Somehow these resettled people have adapted themselves quite well. I personally do not believe that civil servants are able to give the farmers better and more practical advice on what they should do than the farmers themselves. So to set up the unit would be just a waste of effort and money. However, if there is any genuine case of hardship, that is, a farmer who cannot find employment, the hon. Member can write to me and I will direct HDB to look into his case. Those who are willing to work, even if they are in their 40s or early 50s and in good physical condition, if they cannot find a job,I suggest that the hon. Member write to me and I will direct HDB to find them a job, if necessary, There are plenty of jobs available in Singapore. Next is the question of pegging the farm licence to the price of the 3-room flats. In fact, the current cash grant for a farming licence is $19,500. At present, the selling price of an HDB 3-room standard flat is $13,600 and that of a 3-room improved flat is $22,000. So $19,500 is very close to that figure. But I would like to say that they are two different things. The current cash grant of $19,500 paid to the farmers is meant to help them to tide over the initial period of adjustment. This has nothing to do with the selling price of the flats. There is no reason for the cash grant to be pegged to the selling price of the 3-room flats. On the rate of resettlement compensation, this has always been reviewed from time to time. The last revision was in March 1982, when most of the compensation rates for the farm houses, the farm structures, the rental rebates and the cash grant had been increased by 50%.”
“Member for Nee Soon has appealed on their behalf that the 10% TOL fee is rather high, I have decided to ask HDB to reduce the fee to 6%, effective from 1st April 1984. On the question of priority for the allocation of alternative commercial accommodation, this in fact is a very difficult problem. I appreciate this because this actually amounts to an adjustment of a life-style. Unfortunately, because of the shonage of land in Singapore, farming cannot continue to be a way of life for the farmers because the areas under farming are required for various developments. So our farming area will continue to be reduced and farmers will continue to be affected by resettlement and they will have to change their life-style and their profession. On the question of farmers asking for hawker stalls, yesterday there was already a long discussion on that. So there is no point for me to repeat it here. As for shops, I understand that in the Nee Soon Constituency the farmers and also the shopkeepers insist on having shops within Nee Soon itself. Unfortunately, the first lot of 30 shops was only completed at the end of last year. Therefore, those farmers who want shops there could not get the shops because there are too few shops available for allocation. The hon. Member for Nee Soon has suggested that we set up a unit to help farmers to adapt to the change of livelihood. In fact, the same suggestion has also been made by another hon. Member. On this question of HDB sening up a unit to guide the farmers, let us be very candid about this. Singaporeans in general, and businessmen and farmers in particular, are very adaptable and very enterprising. Those who are affected by resettlement generally adjust themselves very well and can find alternative means of livelihood.”
“To develop the whole Yishun New Town, Government has to acquire a very large chunk of the land comprehensively for the whole new town and has to avoid piece-meal acquisition. This is essential because this will simplify the administration of planning procedures and also avoid creating uncenainties on the part of the landowners. If we acquire it piece by piece, then the landowner in that area may get a bit worried. He might wonder whether his land will be acquired or not. So we acquire the whole ares in a single exercise. Then everybody knows that the whole area is acquired, and those pieces of land not acquired are not likely to be acquired. Because the Government acquires a huge area of the land, it is not possible for the Government to clear the whole area at once. Again, the clearance has to go by phases according to the priority of development. If a certain locality is needed for urgent development, then the clearance in that locality will be given priority. But for areas where development will take place later, then we delay the clearance. As regards TOL, those tenants who stay on the land awaiting resettlement pay the same TOL fee. Just for argument's sake, if a tenant had paid the former landowner a rent of $100 per month, he will continue to pay HDB $100 per month. There is no change of rate for the TOL fee. As for the property owner, if his property has been acquired by the Government, the HDB at present charges him a TOL fee of 10% of the acquisition cost. This fee is only payable when the Board takes possession of the propeqy and when the full quantum of compensation has been duly paid to the land-owner. But since the ho n.”
“That is a matter between the property owner and the tenants. Since the court has given the order that there is no legal tenant on the property, the owner is entitled to compensation for his property with vacant possession. And since the owner is getting an enhanced compensa- tion, there is no obligation on the part of the Resettlement Department to offer any alternative accommodation to anybody because the property is unencumbered. 3.15 pm The Member for Nee Soon raised several points. Normally, clearance cases are offered resettlement facilities within a period of six to 12 months after the occupants of the land have been served with notices to quit. However, sometimes they may have to wait for a longer period because the particular type of alternative accommodation requested by the resettlement cases are not available. For example, we have a lot of 3-room flats available but the reseftlement cases want only 4-room and 5-room flats. But 4-room and 5-room flats are under construction and are not yet available. Therefore, they have to wait. At other times the alternative accommodation is available but not in an area that they want. The flats are some distance away. They will say, "No, I will wait for a longer time because I want that particular locality." For this reason, the clearance has to be delayed for a longer period. But if the people affected by clearance really want to get accommodation quickly and are not so choosy and accept the alternative accommodation offered by the HDB, then the resettlement process can be speeded up. On the question of acquisition of land where the Government develops a whole area for a new town, for example, Yishun.”
“He said that the Government should accept the responsibility to resettle everybody in that resettlement area. Sir, by "everybody", he means any person with two hands and two legs in that area. So that must include work permit holders, non-citizens and perhaps even illegal immigrants. So we must have a set of rules and only those citizens who are qualified to be resettled will be offered alternative accommodation for resettlement. As regards the Craig Road case of people sleeping on the five-foot-way, I just want to inform the House of the position. When the Government acquires land, compensation will be based on two different situations. One is vacant possession. This means that the owner of the property is able to deliver his property without encumbrance, which means there are no tenants, and the owner will be entitled to a higher compensation. The other one is encumbered land, which means there are tenants. Usually encumbered lands are rent-controlled properties with tenants. But at times the owner of a rent-controlled property manages to get the tenants out and therefore he is able to deliver the property with vacant possession to the Government and claim for a higher compensation. In this particular case in Craig Road, the owner was able to go to the court to evict his tenants on some legal grounds. The owner was able to obtain a court order to show that the occupants of the property are not legal tenants. Therefore, the owner, in fact, was able under the law to deliver the property with vacant possession to the HDB, although the tenants claimed that they had been tricked by the owner's lawyers or representative into signing a certain agreement to vacate the property. But Government is not involved with that.”
“Sir, I do not like to be interrupted. The Chairman: Please sit down, Mr Jeyaretnam. Mr Teh is not giving way.”
“This is very simple. In an area under resettlement, the people will get priority for alternative accommodation like houses, shops and other premises. If we do not have a rule, a cut-off date, to say that from this day onwards anybody who comes in is not qualified for resettlement, then obviously there would be an enormous number of gate-crashers. We have more than 90,000 people on our waiting list to buy HDB flats. A few days ago, I gave the Member the figure of more than 16,000 people waiting to rent HDB flats. If we do not have these rules and if everybody knows that this area is under clearance, large numbers will move to this area and get priority. Without a cut-off date, the whole resettlement system will collapse. Development schemes will also be delayed. So the answer is quite obvious, we must have the rule of a cut-off date and also other rules. The other rules are very simple. If a person is not a Singapore citizen, he may be a work permit holder. If he also gate-crashes and goes into that resettlement area, of course, the resettlement people will know that he is around. The Member for Anson is requesting that the Government should take responsibility to house these people.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to answer the Member for Anson first. The Member for Anson has asked the question whether Government accepts the responsibility to house the people affected by resettlement. My answer is that Government accepts the responsibility to house the people affected by resettlement, but only for those people who are qualified to be resettled.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the landslide behind Block 111, Depot Road, occurred on 3rd March, 1984, after exceptionally heavy and continuous rain on the previous day. The slope behind Block 111 was formed by the PUB in the construction of its Mount Faber Service Reservoir. Although an elaborate network of sub-soil and surface drains had been constructed to drain off rain water from the slope, the ground was saturated by the torrential downpour. This weakened the soil and resulted in the landslide. The Public Utilities Board has covered up the affected slope with nylon and canvas sheets to prevent further erosion of the soil. The PUB will be cutting back the earth to reduce the steepness of the slope, and will be consulting a firm of soil specialists on additional measures to enhance the stability of the slope. The HDB, meanwhile, had cleared the debris from the void deck of Block 111. The Board is now constructing a temporary drain at the toe of the embankment to diven the surface water to an existing drain. Site inspection by the HDB engineers have confirmed that the stability of Block 111 has not been affected by the earthslip and that it is safe. ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE CASES (Particulars) 3. Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister of Defence and Second Minister for Health (a) what was the number of AWOL cases in the last five years; (b) how many of these cases involved crime; and (c) whether any National Servicemen were convicted of criminal offences in the last five years, and, if so, how many.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it is true that the HDB allows tenants to sublet their flats. For the three-room flats, they are allowed to sublet one bedroom, and for four-room flats, they are allowed to sublet two bedrooms. But I think the majority of Singaporeans do not wish to sublet their rooms even though the number of their family members may be small. They prefer to use those rooms as a study room, as their children's playroom or for other uses. In fact, they are very unwilling to sublet. This is an indication that the income of Singaporeans is so comfortable that they prefer not to sublet rooms even if they can get a very handsome rental. TREE CUTTING IN UNIVERSITY GROUNDS 2. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry if he will ascertain from the National University of Singapore the reason for the cuffing down of trees in the University grounds before the recent visit of the Prime Minister to the campus.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the hon. Member really does not know what is going on in Singapore. The HDB can supply him with a lot of information. After five years, if a person sells his flat he can go on to a bigger flat because the income of Singaporeans is constantly being improved. The people are moving from the smaller flats to the bigger flats all the time. I can supply him with information on the number of one-room tenants living in HDB flats who are waiting to buy bigger flats. I can supply him with a whole set of information, to show that the income of Singaporeans is constantly being improved and they are living in bigger and better flats. From the information on the present waiting list, the people who are waiting to rent HDB flats as I have given him earlier is 16,000. And the number of people who are waiting to buy HDB flats is more than 90,000. So these figures will tell you that the income of Singaporeans is continually being improved. The Member is imagining that poor people are crawling around in Singapore, that people have no homes, that people are in a miserable condition. It - is just not true.”
“The Member for Anson has the wrong concept of the Income of Singaporeans. I will give him statistics of the income of the 16,000 applicants on the waiting list. Those who have applied for one-room flats, have an average income of $473 per month. For those who have applied for two-room flats, it is $518 and for three-room flats, it is $603. All these applicants are in the position to purchase flats. I will give him the calculation so that he can understand it. The one-room applicant has an average income of $473 per month. The CPF contribution, i.e. 40%, will give him $189.20 per month. The down payment for a three-room HDB flat in a New Town, i.e. Woodlands or Yishun, is $6,600 which means that the applicant needs 35 months to accumulate sufficient CPF savings to pay for the down payment. By using his CPF savings alone, he will in 35 months have enough to pay for the 20% down payment without having to suffer any cut in take-home pay. The selling price of a new three-room flat in the New Town is $29,600. Therefore, after deducting the 20% down payment, he needs a loan of $23,000 from the HDB. He needs to pay only $171 per month as monthly instalment to the HDB for the purchase of a three-room flat. As I have sold earlier, he will have a CPF contribution of $189.20 per month. In other words, his CPF contribution is sufficient to pay for the monthly instalments. This applies to people who are presently waiting to rent one-room flats. So the Member's information that there are a lot of poor people who cannot afford this and cannot afford that, it exists only in his imagination.”
“As at 1st March, 1984, the waiting list for Housing and Development Board rental flats has 15,660 applicants. There is a total of 126,564 units of rental flats under the HDB's management. The number of vacant units as at 1st March 1984 is 2,032. Of these, 1,117 units have been offered to applicants and are awaiting acceptance. The remaining 915 units are in the process of being allocated. As the HDB has stopped constructing new flats for rental, the availability of rental flats depends entirely on vacancies from tenancy terminations of existing flats. Based on recent trends in tenancy terminations, the waiting period for one-room rental flats is two years whilst that for two-room rental flats is about 4 1/2 years. The waiting period for three-room rental flats is between eight and 10 years. Applicants on the rental waiting list, especially those applying for two-room and three-room units, are urged to switch to the sales register where they can be sure of a flat within a shorter waiting period.”
“Since 1960 more than 100,000 squatters have been resettled and rehoused in HDB flats. Very few cases have found difficulty adjusting to the life-style in HDB estates. Indeed, after a while it is impossible to distinguish between those who have been resettled and those who are not. As for farmers affected by resettlement, they get a cash grant of $19,500 besides compensation for farm improvements and priority to purchase HDB flats with waiver of initial downpayment. Farmers who wish to go into business are also given priority for HDB shops, industrial workshops, hawker stalls or kiosks. Many farmers have taken advantage of this to find a new means of livelihood. For the very small minority who may face problems, they can always seek assistance from the CCCs, RCs or their MPs. MPs can also write to my Ministry in special cases of difficulty. There is therefore no necessity to set up a special unit to assist resettlement cases. PARF BENEFITS 5. Dr Tan Cheng Bock asked the Acting Minister for Communications whether he is aware that more cars were bought at Additional Registration Fee (ARF) rather than Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) in 1982 (1981: PARF 13,425, ARF 7,553; 1982: PARF 13,405, ARF 15,021) and whether his Ministry will increase PARF benefits to ensure that the one for one car exchange scheme is promoted to maintain a more stable car population.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I think I have just answered that this Board will be formed to coordinate all the activities of the various organizations. In fact, I am coming to the point of repeating myself. My Ministry cannot do it because, first, the Ministry of National Development is not, for example, in charge of VITB. But once this Board is formed, then this Board will take over the function of training the workers. If this board considers it essential that it should take over the functions of the VITB, it will take over. But the Ministry of National Development alone, cannot take over. The Ministry of National Development is in charge of only part of the building industry, not the total building industry, because part of the training of manpower is under the Ministry of Education and other organizations. So the reason for forming this Board is to coordinate all the activities to come under one body. A more important point is that this Board, as I have mentioned earlier, is to bring both the public and the private sectors together. My Ministry alone is not able to do this because my Ministry is looking after part of the public construction programme and we do not bring in the private sector. The intention of this Board is to involve the private sector as well. In fact, a substantial number of the Board members will come from the private sector. So the whole construction industry can be properly coordinated. Question put, and agreed to, Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. - [Mr Teh Cheang Wan]. Bill considered in Committee. 5.33 pm [Mr Speaker in the Chair] Clause 1 -”
“This is contradictory to what the hon. Member for Anson believes - that by forming this Board it is a waste of money. The truth is the other way round. By forming this Board, we will save a lot of money because all training related to the building industry, related to the introduction of new technology, new machinery, will come under a single organization, so that all training can be properly coordinated. A lot of duplication will be avoided and a lot of money will be saved because it is under a single body.”
“So the building industry is constantly upgrading its technology and skills. This is essential so that we will be able to continuously increase productivity. So to form the Board to upgrade the building industry does not mean that the Ministry of National Development has done nothing previously. The Singapore Government is upgrading the building industry and it will continue to do so. We are setting up this Board to upgrade the building industry and we will further organize various training programmes, various training schools and various organizations to further upgrade the industry. And I think constant upgrading is essential if our building industry is going to be efficient. In fact, constant upgrading is essential for all the industries. Any industry which does not continue to upgrade its skills will find itself falling behind and I think;he industry will eventually collapse and be wiped out. That explains why it is essential for us to form this Board to upgrade the building Industry. Talking about the various organizations with various responsibilities of the building industry, it is correct to say that the HDB is building public housing, the PWD is building roads. The HDB is upgrading skills, such as introducing the industrialized method of construction for its public housing. The PWD has introduced various modern machinery, modern techniques for road construction, and so on and so forth. We are constantly upgrading . But that is not good enough. These various authorities organize training courses, as I mentioned earlier, usually on a piecemeal and ad hoc basis. The VITB is just one of the organizations. In other words, the various organizations are doing ad hoc training, ad hoc upgrading programmes for the building industry. And this is unsatisfactory.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first of all, I wish to thank the hon. Member for Whampoa for understanding the purpose of setting up the Board which, unfortunately, the hon. Member for Anson seems to fail to understand. On the point raised by the Member for Anson, I have just now said that the building industry in Singapore needs upgrading. In the opinion of the hon. Member for Anson, it would appear that the Singapore Government or the Ministry of National Development is sleeping all the time and did not do the upgrading and then we have to set up the Board to upgrade. That is a statement which goes against the grains of modern development. As we know, we are living in a period where all the technology, not only in the industries but also in the office are constantly improving. The hon. Member for Anson will know that all the modern offices are now going into computerization, to upgrade the office efficiency. And in the industries I think all the countries are looking and citing Japan as an example. Why are the Japanese industries able to overtake other industrialized countries? It is because the Japanese industries are constantly being upgraded. If the hon. Member for Anson's theory holds good, then those countries which are already industrially advanced should not do any further upgrading because any other country that does further upgrading would mean that these industrially advanced countries are sleeping and are not upgrading. That is the theory which the Member for Anson is trying to propagate. The fact is that the Singapore building industry is fairly extensive, and I think Singapore has invested billions of dollars in the building industry not only in the public sector but also in the private sector.”
“The Board members shall be appointed from both the public and private sectors so that the collective expertise of the industry can be synergized to guide the industry towards industrialization and modernization. The Bill will enable the Board to perform several major tasks, in particular:- (i) Technology Development - A major task of the Board is to examine, review and devise standards of building components and pre-cast building systems, with a view to introducing standardization measures which promote and facilitate the greater use of modular components in building design and construction. The Board will also help Government examine and revise Building regulations to adapt them to industrialized building technologies. (ii) Manpower Development - The Board will be responsible for training and continuing education of construction workers. It will develop long-term manpower plans to upgrade construction productivity and to provide trained manpower to meet the demands of the industry. It will liaise closely with the professionals and employers in the industry for the advancement of construction skills. The Government's Construction Industry Training Centre, which seeks to train Singaporeans on modern construction skills, will be transferred to the Board once it is set up. The Board will generally help Government formulate and implement policies on construction development. It will be given sufficient power to administer financial and other incentive schemes to encourage the industry to upgrade, modernize and mechanize. The funds necessary for the operation of the Board will come from Government. For the Board's training activities, subsidies from the Skills Development Fund will also be sought. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. Question proposed.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The construction industry of Singapore is in urgent need of upgrading. It is labour-intensive and heavily dependent on foreign workers. Construction productivity whilst increasing in recent years is still low. Insufficient attention has been paid to blending building designs with modern methods of construction. Training oppor- tunities and courses have been few and ad hoc. Labour turnover is high and the labour force is relatively unskilled. It is Government's policy to expand and upgrade our construction capabilities and productivity, so that the industry can meet future demands more efficiently. We have to reorganize, restructure and industrialize the construction industry in order to meet these objectives. With industrialized building methods, buildings and structures can be put up with fewer workers, at a shorter time, and with better finishes. The corresponding labour productivity gains can be translated into better wages for our local workers. The productivity improvements will also reduce and curb excessive and uneconomical use of labour. Industrialization in the building industry entails the widespread use of mechanized and prefabricated methods of construction. It requires not only changes in component fabrication and building erection technologies but also structural changes to the building industry as a whole. The changes can only be brought about by enlisting the concerted effort of all parties involved in the construction industry. The Construction Industry Development Board Bill therefore seeks to set up a central co-ordinating body to spearhead, promote, develop, and monitor the industrialization programmes for the construction industry.”
“The feeder bus service has also been successfully tried and tested in other HDB estates such as Bedok, Ang Mo Kio, Clementi, Telok Blangah, Tampines, Hougang, Jurong and Woodlands.”
“9 million will be spent between now and mid-1985 on improving the swimming lagoon. There are also plans to upgrade Fort Siloso and the ferry terminal at the World Trade Centre. In addition, the Corporation is actively negotiating with private investors to develop a family entertainment park, resort hotels and an oceanarium. TOA PAYOH BUS INTERCHANGE/FEEDER SERVICE SYSTEM (Steps to improve) 10. Mr Liew Kok Pun asked the Acting Minister for Communications (a) whether he is aware that the recently introduced bus interchange and feeder service system in Toa Payoh housing estate, which is operationally more efficient to the bus company, is not well received by commuters because they have not only to pay more but also to take a much longer time than before to reach their destinations; and (b) what steps are being taken or will be taken to improve the situation. The Acting Minister for Communications (Dr Yeo Ning Hong): The new feeder bus system in Toa Payoh was introduced after extensive surveys showed that it would provide a better bus service to the majority of residents in the estate. These surveys showed that the number of people who benefit from the change clearly outnumber those adversely affected - by about 4 to 1. The new system is also more efficient than the old one. Previously, buses had to make extensive loopings of as many as 10 km within Toa Payoh, prior to proceeding to its destination. This meant higher fares and an additional 15 minutes of travel for commuters. With the introduction of the feeder bus system, these extensive loopings have been minimized, enabling SBS to put on more buses into its trunk services. More than 95% of the trunk services serving Toa Payoh have peak frequencies of about 10 minutes compared with less than 73% before.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, development works for the park along Telok Blangah Heights commenced in November 1983. The park, also known as Mount Faber Park Extension, will be ready by the end of 1985. The facilities to be provided include footpaths-cum-jogging tracks, car parks, lighting, park shelters and benches. Visitors to the park will also be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and harbour from various look-out points. DEVELOPMENT OF SENTOSA ISLAND (Upgrading of facilities and attractions) 9. Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry if the Minister is satisfied with the progress of the development of Sentosa Island as a resort for Singaporeans and tourists; whether there are any plans to further upgrade the facilities and attractions and, if so, when these plans will be implemented. The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Dr Wong Kwei Cheong) (for the Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, Sir, the progress made in developing Sentosa as an island resort for Singaporeans and tourists is in my view satisfactory. Since 1972, about $69 million has been spent by the Sentosa Development Corporation on developing facilities on the island. New attractions that have been added to the island in the last three years include the Musical Fountain, the Monorail System, Rasa Sentosa and the lnsectarium. The facilities at Sentosa are popular with Singaporeans and tourists. In 1980, 974,000 visited Sentosa. The number in 1983 was 1,367,000. There are plans by the Sentosa Development Corporation to upgrade the existing attractions and facilities. The Sentosa Wax Museum is being expanded to include a new section featuring the early pioneers of Singapore. The Musical Fountain will be improved. Some $1.”
“At present, motorists have seven days to pay parking fines at URA offices or HDB area offices respectively for parking offences in URA or HDB car parks. In addition, parking fines can be paid through the post. Nevertheless, the HDB and URA will look further into the hon. Member's proposal for URA fines to be paid in HDB area offices and vice versa. MOUNT FABER PARK EXTENSION (Development progress) 8. Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Minister for National Development what is the progress of the development of the park along Telok Blangah Heights.”
“Some apartment blocks at Ang Mo Kio Neighbourhood Ill have been getting rusty water as a result of corrosion of the galvanised iron downfeed pipes leading from the water tanks. The HDB periodically flushes the water tanks in these blocks. In addition, the Board has commenced replacement of the badly corroded iron downfeed pipes with stainless steel pipes. PARKING OFFENCES COMMITTED AT URA CAR PARKS (Payment of fines at HDB Area Offices) 7. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for National Development whether he will consider allowing offenders under the Parking Places (Coupon Parking) Rules, 1982, committed at Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Car Parks to pay their fines at any Housing and Development Board (HDB) Area Office instead of URA offices since the URA and HDB are under the same Ministry.”
“Under the Housing and Development Board's current policy, a single person who survives the death of the other members of his family nucleus must include a relative or any other person as an authorized occupier if he wishes to retain his flat. Sufficient time is given for this condition to be satisfied. The HDB has to follow this policy in view of the high demand for flats. In land-scarce Singapore, it is also not possible for the HDB to provide a flat for each single person. ANG MO KIO NEIGHBOURHOOD III (Rusty water) 6. Mr Yeo Toon Chia asked the Minister for National Development whether he is aware that rusty water, caused by the corrosion of the unlined galvanised iron distributing pipes, is being supplied to some residents of Ang Mo Kio Neighbourhood III; and in view of this (a) what measures the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is taking to ensure that residents are supplied with clean water at all times; and (b) whether HDB will consider replacing the corroded pipes with corrosion-resistant materials.”
“The PWD will be constructing a pedestrian overhead bridge across Telok Blangah Road at Maritime Square next year to cater for the large number of pedestrians crossing the road at this location. An underpass will not be constructed there as it will be more costly and its construction will also adversely affect the busy traffic along Telok Blangah Road. AEROFLOT SOVIET AIRLINES (Violation of air space) 15. Dr Lau Teik Soon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture (a) the number of violations of our air space by the aircraft of the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines over the years from 1980 to the present; (b) what actions have been taken by the Government to ensure that the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines would comply with our laws; and (c) whether in view of the Soviet Union's shooting down of the Korean Air Lines Boeing-747 and the violations of our air space by the aircraft of the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines, the Government would suspend the landing rights of the Aeroflot Soviet Airlines for a period of time.”
“A neighbourhood centre is now under construction at Bedok Reservoir Road in Neighbourhood 7 of Bedok North Estate. It will provide 50 shops and other related facilities such as mini-markets and eating houses to serve residents in Neighbourhood 7. It is expected to be completed by the end of 1984. UNDERPASS AT MARITIME SQUARE (Construction) 14. Mr M.K.A. Jabbar asked the Minister for National Development whether he will consider the construction of an underpass across Telok Blangah Road at Maritime Square, in view of the heavy volume of movement across the road of picnickers and holiday-makers to Sentosa and visitors to exhibitions at the World Trade Centre.”
“The open space in front of Blocks 551, 552 and 554 of Bedok North Estate has been developed into a neighbourhood park for residents of Neighbourhood 5. As with other neighbourhood parks, it has been landscaped with fruit trees, provided with footpaths, seats and a sepak takraw court. The project was completed in December 1982 at a cost of $75,000. BEDOK NORTH ESTATE (Market/Food/Shopping Centre) 13. Encik Saidi Haji Shariff asked the Minister for National Development whether there are plans to provide a market/food and/or shopping centre at Bedok Reservoir Road in Neighbourhood 7 of Bedok North Estate as the residents there do not enjoy such facilities.”
“Encik Saidi Haji Shariff asked the Minister for National Development what is the progress of the development of the open space in front of Blocks 551, 552 and 554 of Bedok North Estate into a neighbourhood park; what facilities will be available; when will the project be completed and what will be the cost involved.”
“(a) As at 30 November 1983, the number of applicants on the HDB's waiting list for 1- and 2-room rental flats and 3-, 4- and 5-room sale flats was 109,506. The breakdown is as follows: 1-room rental flats - 6,502 2-room rental flats - 7,525 3-room sale flats - 32,064 4-room sale flats - 44,005 5-room sale flats - 19,410 (b) In 1984 and 1985, the HDB expects to complete a minimum of 78,000 3-, 4- and 5- room flats. The breakdown is as follows: 1984 - 16,000 3-room flats - 18,000 4-room flats - 5,000 5-room flats 1985 - 12,000 3-room flats - 22,000 4-room flats - 5,000 5-room flats (c) Applicants who registered to purchase flats before March 1982 can expect to get their flats by 1985. The HDB has stopped constructing new rental flats. Therefore, the allocation of these flats depends completely on vacancies arising from tenancy terminations. Based on recent trends in tenancy terminations, the estimated waiting period for rental flats is 2 years for 1-room flats and 4 1/2 years for 2-room flats. This means that existing 1-room applicants will get their flats by 1985 while 2-room applicants will get theirs by 1987 or 1988. The waiting period could be much longer if the rate of terminations decreases. Applicants on the rental waiting list, especially those applying for 2-room units, are urged to switch to the sales register where they can be sure of a flat within a reasonable waiting period. (d) The present estimated waiting period for new applicants of 3-, 4- and 5-room sale flats is 3 years. BEDOK NORTH ESTATE (Neighbourhood Park) 12.”
“According to the State Coroner, there was a pig farmer in Ponggol who took his own life on 17 June 1983, The Coroner's Court was told that a notice served on the deceased by the Primary Production Department to clear his farm caused the depression that subsequently led to his suicide. If this was so, the unfortunate incident is the only one we know of among nearly 198,000 cases, including 8,292 farmers, that have been cleared by the Resettlement Department over the past two decades. The deceased was eligible for resettlement compensation of $162,180.91. This sum will be paid to his widow. In addition, she will be eligible for priority allocation of a flat as well as a shop or a workshop to take up an alternative trade. I understand that a note left behind by the deceased was tendered as evidence in the Coroner's Court. The Member for Anson should know that I have no power to make public evidence that has been tendered in a Coroner's Court or any other court. If the Member for Anson is interested in the note, he should apply to the Coroner to see it. HDB WAITING LIST (Particulars) 11. Mr Liew Kok Pun asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many applicants are now on the waiting list for one- and two-room Housing and Development Board rental apartments and for three-, four- and five-room HDB apartments; (b) how many three-, four- and five-room units will be completed in 1984 and 1985; (c) whether all of those who are now on the waiting list will get their apartments by 1984-85; and (d) what is the present estimated waiting time for new applicants for three-, four- and five-room apartments.”
“(a) The HDB will embark on a programme to upgrade the common antenna systems of all existing HDB blocks for the reception of SBC's new Channel 12. A total of 3,500 systems has to be fitted with additional amplifiers, antennae, and related equipment. The programme will be completed by October 1984. (b) All HDB apartment blocks under construction and future blocks will have the additional facility incorporated in the common antenna systems for the reception of the new Channel. SUICIDE OF PIG FARMER IN PONGGOL 10. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development if he will make a statement on the death of the pig farmer in Ponggol who was driven to take his own life after service of a notice on him for the resettlement of his farm and if he will make public the written note left by the man.”
“51 Craig Road was acquired on vacant possession basis because the landlord was able to deliver vacant possession after a judgement by consent. Therefore, the previous tenants do not qualify for alternative HDB accommodation. EXPENDITURE ON PROMOTION OF COURTESY 10. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Culture for the total expenditure incurred by his Ministry and other Ministries for the promotion of courtesy in July and whether in his Ministry's view the money was well spent.”
“No. 51 Craig Road, a 3-storey pre-war shophouse, was gazetted for compulsory acquisition in December 1981. At that time, there were 5 tenants in the premises. The owner of the premises had obtained a court judgement in September 1980 requiring these five tenants to quit the premises. The judgement was made with the tenants' consent. This is a private matter between the owner and the tenants under due process of law. The owner executed the writ of possession in July 1983 and thereafter delivered vacant possession of the premises to the Government. Where a property is acquired on vacant possession basis, the responsibility for removing and compensating tenants lies not with the Government but with the landlord. This is why awards for property acquired on vacant possession basis are very much higher than awards for encumbered property. The Government does not grant re-housing benefits to former tenants of property acquired on vacant possession basis for two reasons. The first reason is that the supply of resettlement units is limited. If the Government were to provide re-housing priority to such former tenants, there will be delay in the relocation of resettlement cases which genuinely qualify for re-housing. The waiting period for public applicants on HDB's waiting list will also be lengthened. The second reason is that landlords affected by acquisition will be able to persuade their tenants to come to arrangements which lead to judgements for possession with consent being made by the court. Then the burden of relocating tenants will pass to the Government while landlords reap enhanced acquisition awards on vacant possession basis, after their tenants have reached private arrangements with the landlords. No.”
“The water supply to residents in the western part of Singapore, including Telok Blangah New Town, comes from the Kranji, Pandan and Western Catchment Reservoirs. This water has a slightly higher chloride content than water from other reservoirs. Some water tanks and iron pipes installed within the flats in Telok Blangah New Town have rusted. As a result, households in this area may occasionally find some rust sediments in their water supply. However, the water is still within the World Health Organisation standards for drinking water. To minimise rust sediments in the water supply of Telok Blangah New Town, the HDB is lining water storage tanks with non-corrodible material and replacing unlined water supply pipes to the tanks. This programme is expected to be completed by the end of 1983. For flats receiving supply directly from the mains, the PUB is replacing all connecting pipes that are made of unlined iron. PUB's programme will be completed in March, 1984. In the meantime, water storage tanks and pipes are periodically cleaned and flushed to remove rusty deposits. PREMISES NO. 51 CRAIG ROAD 9. Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development if he will give an assurance that the premises No. 51 Craig Road and the adjoining premises will not be reduced to rubble before the families evicted from No. 51 Craig Road and who are now living on the pavements outside the premises have been given alternative accommodation and if he will say when the families will be given alternative accommodation.”