SAND-WASHING AT TANAH MERAH AND KAKI BUKIT BY WORK BRIGADE

Mr Tee Kim Leng asked the Minister for National Development whether and how many Work Brigade members are sent each day to do sand-washing at Tanah Merah and Kaki Bukit; what is the daily expenditure thereon; and what is the sale price of the sand per lorry.

Mr Tan Kia Gan: Mr Speaker, Sir, Work Brigade members are sent daily to work the Sand Quarries on State Land at Tanah Merah Besar Road and Jalan Kaki Bukit (presumably the Member for Pasir Panjang is referring to the Sand Quarry at Jalan Damai, as the one at Kaki Bukit has been closed down); an average of 80 men are sent to Tanah Merah Besar and 40 men to Jalan Damai daily.

The daily expenditure for sand-washing is:-

(a) At Tanah Merah Besar Sand Quarry - $400 approximately.

(b) At Jalan Damai Sand Quarry - $175 approximately.

The sale price of sand mined from these quarries is as follows:-

(a) For 5 cubic yard lorry load - $15.

(b) For 4 cubic yard lorry load - $12.

Mr Tee Kim Leng: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, what is the cost of the sand per lorry for 5 cubic yards and 4 cubic yards respectively?

Mr Tan Kia Gan: Around $9 per load.

Mr Tee Kim Leng: (In Mandarin): Does this $9 include transport cost?

Mr Tan Kia Gan: I do not understand the question, Mr Speaker, Sir. We are dealing with production costs, and we do not have to transport the sand to people who want to buy it.

Mr Tee Kim Leng: (In Mandarin): Sir, according to what I know, the transport cost is paid by the Housing Board, and not let out for contract.

Mr Tan Kia Gan: The Member has got all his facts wrong.