SCHEME OF CHARGING FEES FOR CAR-PARKING IN CITY AREA (Total revenue collected and total expenditure incurred)

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi asked the Deputy Prime Minister what were the total revenue collected from, and the total expenditure incurred in, the operation of the scheme of charging fees for car-parking in the City area from its commencement up to 31st January, 1960.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Mr Speaker, since the parking scheme was started on 21st December 1959, the following are the three car parks where fees are charged for parking cars:

Raffles Place which contains 113 spaces.

Fullerton Square - 75 spaces.

Clifford Pier - 406 spaces.

Of the three car parks, the first two are restricted car-parking places where a car is allowed to park for a maximum period of two hours at 40 cents per hour. The third is Clifford Pier car park where cars can park there all day at 20 cents per hour.

The capital expenditure amounted to $24,107. This capital expenditure relates not only to the three car parks mentioned but also to other car parks which are now being prepared for future use.

From 21st December 1959, to 31st January, 1960, there were 31 working days. The takings were on an average of $636 per day. The range was from $440 per day to $790 per day. The total takings for the period amounted to $19,706. The expenditure in respect of salaries, uniforms, advertisements, telephones and other miscellaneous charges was $6,584. There was therefore a net profit of $13,122 for the period. We hope that in the next few months the profit that we will make will be able to cover the capital expenditure spent on the car parks.

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi: Mr Speaker, Sir, in the operation of this new scheme, I would like to know how many new people were employed and whether these new employees were from the Automobile Association of Singapore.

Dr Toh Chin Chye: The employees who have been recruited to man the car parks are divided into two grades: five senior parking attendants and 22 parking attendants. All of them have been recruited from the Labour Exchange.

Mr A. P. Rajah: Could the Minister say, Mr Speaker, Sir, whether the income from this scheme would be increased if the Shenton Way car park were to be brought into use?

Dr Toh Chin Chye: Mr Speaker, I mentioned just now that we have car parks being prepared for future use, and it is our intention to use the car park adjacent to Shenton Way in the near future.