PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY (ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION)

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing when the proposed Public Housing Authority to replace the existing Singapore Improvement Trust will be established; and whether he will give details of how he intends to operate it.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, the establishment of the new Public Housing Authority will be an operation of considerable magnitude and requiring close and detailed study. The functions and powers of the new Authority, the terms on which it will take over the assets of the Singapore Improvement Trust, the method by which it will be financed, and many other details will have to be defined by comprehensive legislation. All these questions are now being examined, but it is not expected that it will be possible to set up the new Authority before the end of the year. Until these questions have been decided, I am not in a position to give details of how the new organisation will function.