ASSESSMENT RATES

Mr M. P. D. Nair asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing whether he will take steps to amend the Municipal Ordinance so as to empower the City Council to forgo assessment rates on land and buildings used for the Singapore Improvement Trust housing schemes, in order that the monthly rental of all Singapore Improvement Trust houses can be reduced and brought within the earning capacity of the middle and poorer classes of the community.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, no, it is not proposed to amend the Municipal Ordinance to waive City Council assessment rates on land and buildings used for the Singapore Improvement Trust housing schemes, but other measures for reducing the rentals of S.I.T. houses are at the moment receiving the attention of Government.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Would the Minister inform us if the lowering of the interest rate on Government loans to the S.I.T. is receiving the attention of his Government?

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is in the affirmative.

Mr Nair: Sir, will the Minister kindly indicate what steps are being taken in regard to his answer to my question?

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: Will the Minister give us an indication when his deliberations on the lowering of the rents of S.I.T. houses will produce results?

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not in a position to say when the results will be out.