RESETTLEMENT OF FAMILIES

Mr Lim Koon Teck asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing to state the reasons for the delay in moving families from the Beach Road area to Tanjong Rhu and to give details of the terms of resettlement.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, the clearance of this area is an operation of considerable magnitude involving the re-accommodation of 815 families and 180 businesses and small industries. During 1955, 609 families were re-housed in the Guillemard Housing Estate which has been specially allocated for this purpose. The resettlement of the businesses and light industries presented a difficult problem and after consultation with the associations representing the undertakings, it was decided that the most suitable area for this purpose was Tanjong Rhu. Before this area could be used, it was necessary to fill it, drain it and provide it with access roads. Financial approval to proceed with these works was obtained in March 1955. Filling was completed during the year and the main access road was ready for use by the end of the year. It had been anticipated that the businesses concerned would move to Tanjong Rhu as soon as the sites were ready. This did not prove to be the case, amongst other reasons, owing to the differences amongst the members of the associations themselves on the question of allocation of sites. Experience has shown that it is always a very difficult matter to remove from the land people who have been in occupation, even though on a Temporary Occupation Licence, for very many years. It is now expected that the clearance scheme will be completed immediately after the Chinese New Year holidays.

As for the terms of resettlement, sites are being offered, in the first instance, on Temporary Occupation Licences, rentals being fixed at four per cent per annum of the value of the land, with an additional charge of $20 per lineal foot of sea or road frontage. It is a condition of the licence that the land should only be used for firewood and charcoal stores, boat-builders extra.

Mr Lim Koon Teck: Is the Minister aware that considerable dissatisfaction has arisen over the allocation of sites for businesses, and can he give an assurance that all these differences will be settled as soon as possible?

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, it is a different question.