GEYLANG, MOUNTBATTEN AND TANJONG KATONG ROADS (Filthy drains)

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I have your permission to take the next two questions together as they are relevant, if the Minister agrees to it?

Mr Speaker: I think the way to do it is to ask question No. 48 and the Minister will give the answer.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Minister for Health and Law whether he is aware of the filthy conditions of the drains along Geylang, Mountbatten and Tanjong Katong Roads, and what steps will be taken to clean them.

Mr Speaker: If it is convenient, the Minister may answer Questions 48 and 49.

Mr Byrne: The question concerns the conditions of roadside drains, Sir.

The main roadside A rains along Geylang, Mountbatten and Tanjong Katong Roads have been maintained in a reasonable state but the outlet drains maintained and cleansed by a private contractor have not been satisfactorily cleansed, with the result that there has been back-damming of some of the public roadside drains with consequent mosquito breeding. The contractor has been repeatedly warned and has been penalised by a cut in the fee paid to him by the Public Works Department, but his work is still not up to standard: The contractor's charges for the work are low, with the result that the standard of the work has been poor. Steps are being taken to review the whole procedure of contract work for these outlet drains, and discussions are now taking place with the Public Works Department on how to improve the standard of work.

On several occasions in the past, City Council labourers have been on the job of de-silting and cleansing these outlet drains. As soon as the strike situation improves and labour is available, work on the cleansing of these outlet drains will be undertaken.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng rose -

Mr Speaker: On question 48, Mrs Seow Peck Leng.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Mr Speaker, Sir, may I ask the Minister whether he would consider doing this immediately, because only yesterday I had some people from Haig Road complaining that the, situation is so bad that water is flowing into the compounds of the houses now.

Mr Byrne: Sir, all this will be attended to. One has to be patient. One has to get the cleansing squads organised. It all depends on the outcome of the negotiations that are going on now for the solution of this strike.

Mr Speaker: Mrs Seow Peck Leng, question No. 49.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think the answer to question No. 48 has also answered my- question No. 49.

Mr Byrne: Is the hon. Member withdrawing her question?

Mr Speaker: Is the Minister answering question No. 49.

Mr Byrne: It is an entirely different question.

Mr Speaker: Mrs Seow Peck Leng.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Question No. 49.