COMMUNITY CENTRE (Telok Ayer District)

Mr R. Jumabhoy asked the Minister for Labour and Welfare whether a vacant piece of land sufficient for a community centre in the Telok Ayer District can be provided as a measure of the Government's assistance to the residents thereof; alternatively, whether he will help in securing such vacant land and in giving financial aid in the building of the premises thereon for use as a community centre.

Mr Lim Yew Hock: Mount Erskine Children's Social Centre is in Telok Ayer District. It is not intended that Government should provide more than one community centre in each district of the City area. Enquiries have been made as to possible sites for Social Welfare community centres and none is available within the foreseeable future in Telok Ayer District. No financial aid is at present available to assist private organisations to build or maintain community centres as the whole of Government resources in social development work are channelled through centres managed directly under the guidance of Government or the Rural Board.