NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS BUILT AND ALLOCATED BY S.I.T.

Mr Lee Choon Eng asked the Minister for Local Government, Lands and Housing

(a) whether any houses or housing units and if so, how many, were completed by the Singapore Improvement Trust during the period from January to June 1957; and

(b) how many of these houses or housing units have been allotted up to 31st July, 1957.

Inche Abdul Hamid Bin Haji Jumat: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer to question (a) is that no houses or housing units were completed. I am informed by the Trust the reason why no houses or housing units were completed during the first half of 1957 is that there were no available vacant sites during a period in 1956 which would have allowed for completion in 1957. I am further informed, Sir, that on 31st July, 1957, over 4,000 units of housing accommodation were in course of construction and contracts had been let out for a further 1,000 units of accommodation.

The answer to question (b) follows from my answer to (a) - that as no housing units were completed, no houses were allotted.