ST. JAMES POWER STATION (Cost of Fire Damages)

2.35 p.m.

Inche Mohd. Ali Bin Alwi asked the Prime Minister what was the total cost of the damages to the St. James Power Station caused by the fire which broke out on 9th May, 1961.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister (Mr Chan Sun Wing) (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked by the Prime Minister to answer this question.

A survey of the fire damage to St. James Power Station is still in progress, and is being undertaken by the contractor's insurance company. The installation at St. James Power Station is still on trial and has not yet been taken over by the City Council.

The contractor has full insurance cover for the plant and property and is entirely responsible for making good the damage to City Council property which at present is estimated at $45,000.

Inche Mohd. Ali: (In Malay): Mr Speaker, could the Department concerned say when the damage to the St. James Power Station will be put right?

Mr Speaker: Order. I take it the hon. Member means the Parliamentary Secretary and not the Department. We are not dealing with departments in this Assembly.

Mr Chan Sun Wing: Mr Speaker, Sir, as the answer given just now is that the survey of the fire damage to the St. James Power Station is still in progress, I therefore consider that the supplementary question put by the hon. Member is a different question, and I require further notice.