SINGAPORE IMPROVEMENT TRUST HOUSES INSPECTION OF APPLICATIONS REGISTER

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing if he is aware that the register of applications for Singapore Improvement Trust accommodation is not open for inspection by the public, and whether he will explain why.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: I am aware, Sir, that the register of applications for Singapore Improvement Trust accommodation is not open for public inspection. I am informed by the Board that the reason for this is that each application contains information of a private and personal nature which was given by the applicants on the understanding that it would be kept confidential and it would therefore be highly undesirable to make this information available for public inspection. I am further informed that the general practice among housing authorities is not to make their registers available for public inspection although each applicant is at liberty to enquire about his prospects of success. This of course applies in the case of the Trust also.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Mr Speaker, Sir, can the Minister tell us why is it that the register cannot be open for inspection? It is not a question of asking details of the register; it is a question of the number of applicants and the points awarded to each applicant.

Inche Abdul Hamid: Mr Speaker, Sir, apart from the undesirability of disclosing information given confidentially by applicants, the register contains other confidential information including reports of investigations by Trust officers and the final points awarded to the applicants as a result of such reports. The register comprises approximately 11,500 files and the administrative arrangements needed to create a register suitable for inspection by the public would considerably hamper the work of the department concerned and would increase management costs.

Mr Lee Choon Eng: Can the Minister tell us whether the Trust can prepare a separate register apart from the number of files that are in the office so that applicants could ask for the opening of that register rather than the files concerned?

Inche Abdul Hamid: I think I have answered that, Sir.