INSANITARY CONDITIONS IN CERTAIN PARTS OF SINGAPORE

Mrs Seow Peck Leng asked the Minister for Health and Law whether, in regard to certain parts of Singapore, (a) he is aware of an increase in flies and mosquitoes despite repeated complaints about insanitary conditions; and (b) in view of the failure of the present system for clearing rubbish and drains, he will make a statement as to what steps he proposes to take in the matter.

Mr Byrne: We come back to the subject of nuisance mosquitoes and dirty drains. There has been an increase of nuisance mosquitoes which was worse than during the latter part of the year following the strike of the City Council employees and consequent chokage of outlets and roadside drains. This was aggravated by the unsatisfactory arrangements for cleansing of outlet drains to which reference was made at an earlier sitting of the Assembly.

There is no appreciable increase in the complaints of flies. About seven to ten such complaints were received per month and were dealt with. There has been no increase in mosquito-borne disease or fly-borne disease according to our hospital records. The Ministry is aware of the deficiencies in the previous system for the cleansing of outlet drains. These have been improved, the contract system has been tightened up with new specifications for the quality of the work, and the 1962 contracts stipulate the minimum number of workmen to be employed on the job for each specified area daily. Where about 40 men were formerly employed in cleansing outlet drains, the present contract requires a total of 276 for the job. In fact, the condition of most outlet drains in the city now has greatly improved and this state of affairs will continue to be maintained.

For the purpose of maintaining an adequate refuse disposal system, orders have been placed in the last nine months for 14 new vehicles for the transport of refuse. Of these, 4 vehicles have already been delivered. The Ministry has recently decided to call for tenders for the removal by contract of refuse in specified areas, in specified bin centres and from bin centres of the Housing and Development Board's estates with a view to relieving the increasing pressure on the maintenance and extension of this service. There are 16 checkers in the city area and a mobile squad of 14 men for the rural areas to check on mosquito-breeding,. Breeding of nuisance mosquitoes in canals, drains and other places subject to public cleansing has received full attention. Education of hawkers and the public has been carried out in connection with the prevention of nuisance mosquito-breeding in affected areas by field staff on their rounds. Radio publicity in all languages has been effected. The prevention of mosquito-breeding and fly-breeding will require, besides positive measures by the Ministry, the active co-operation of hawkers, householders and other members of the public. All measures to deal with the situation are being taken and the position has materially improved recently.

Mrs Seow Peck Leng: Mr Speaker, Sir, I wonder whether the Minister is aware that in some places especially outside markets there are piles of rubbish six feet high sometimes. I wonder whether he can assure us that these will be dealt with immediately under the new arrangements. May I state, Sir, that these are in the most congested areas which can least afford such rubbish?

Mr Speaker: Order. I must pass a remark. The hon. Lady is very fond of bringing in matters which are completely extraneous and might excite a debate. Supplementary questions must be short and to the point.

Mr Byrne: Mr Speaker, improvements have been made in the cleansing service. There was a lot of backlog to be cleared up after the recent strike and recent enquiries have disclosed that the situation has improved considerably.