HOUSING UNITS BUILT IN (Statistics)

Tun Lim Yew Hock asked the Minister for National Development to state (a) how many housing units were built in 1960, 1961 and 1962, giving figures against each rent bracket; (b) the number of housing units of each rent bracket which have not been occupied for (i) one year and more, (ii) six months to one year, and (iii) three to six months; (c) how many housing units of each rent bracket were vacant as at 31st March, 1963.

Mr Tan Kia Gan: Sir, (a) (i) 1,611 units were built in 1960 comprising:-

280 units at $25 per month,

156 units at $35 per month,

592 units at $55 per month,

160 units at $60 per month,

91 units at $68 per month,

40 units at $75 per month,

and 292 units sold to Kampong Koo Chye fire victims and Malay families at Jalan Eunos.

(ii) 7,262 units were built in 1961, comprising:-

2,278 units at $20 per month,

3,671 units at $40 per month,

1,249 units at $60 per month,

64 units at $90 per month.

(iii) 12,164 units were built in 1962 comprising:-

3,105 units at $20 per month,

3,122 units at $40 per month,

5,892 units at $60 per month.

(b) (i) The number of housing units which have not been occupied for one year and more are:-

54 units at $55 per month.

Those which have not been occupied for six months to one year are:-

305 units at $40 per month,

274 units at $60 per month.

Those which have not been occupied for three to six months are:-

2 units at $20 per month,

36 units at $40 per month,

554 units at $60 per month.

(c) As at 31st March, 1963, 3,098 units were vacant:-

2 units at $20 per month,

1,001 units at $40 per month,

54 units at $55 per month,

2,041 units at $60 per month.

Tun Lim Yew Hock: Sir, in view of the large numbers of houses left vacant, could the Minister say whether there have been difficulties in getting tenants to take up Housing Board houses?

Mr Tan Kia Gan: Sir, I did not hear the question. Could the Member repeat it again?

Tun Lim Yew Hock: Could the Minister say whether there have been difficulties in getting people to take up Housing Board houses?

Mr Tan Kia Gan: According to what I understand, Sir, there is no such difficulty. I would like to explain partly why these flats have been vacant. In fact, in Queenstown, 974 units could not be let out earlier because of the delay in the completion of the water booster station which did not operate till the end of February 1963. 1,500 units were vacant as they were reserved for temporary occupation by the Federation of Malaya Police and the Army, and the Singapore Police. They have been transferred over for occupation and have been rented out as from the 1st April, 1963.

Mr Speaker: It is time to suspend. I will take the Chair again at 5.40 p.m. Order, order.

Sitting accordingly suspended at 5.10 p.m. until 5.40 p.m. Sitting resumed at 5.40 p.m.