COLLAPSE OF GABLE WALL IN BLOCK 91 KALLANG AIRPORT FLATS

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for National Development whether he intends to seek action either criminal or civil in respect of those responsible for the design and supervision of the construction of the gable wall which recently collapsed in Block 91 Kallang Airport Flats, and for the cost of remedying similar defects in respect of other walls.

Mr Tan Kia Gan: Sir, the contract in respect of these blocks was completed in 1958 and the six months' maintenance period during which the contractor could have been held responsible for defects has expired. It will, therefore, not be feasible to take legal action against the contractor. However, this contractor is now being debarred from doing any work for the City Council and the Housing and Development Board for a period of five years. The architect in charge of the project left the service of the S.I.T. at the end of 1959 and it is not considered practical to take legal action against him in a case of this nature. The estimated cost of remedying the defect in respect of the 12 similar blocks that are affected is $96,000. Tenders have been called contractors selected and remedial work will be taken within the next few days.