NATIONAL THEATRE

Miss Fung Yin Ching asked the Minister for Culture (i) what is the estimated cost of building the National Theatre; (ii) what is the amount of public contributions to date towards meeting the cost of the National Theatre; (iii) what is Government's contribution towards the building cost; and (iv) whether it is necessary to work over-time and to what extent in order to complete the National Theatre on time.

Mr S. Rajaratnam: Mr Speaker, Sir, the total estimated cost of the National Theatre, including piling and all necessary equipment, is $2.2 million. The cost of the building itself is $1.36 million.

With regard to the second question, the total donations received from the public to date amount to $785,671.

With regard to the third question, the Government has undertaken to meet the difference between the total estimated cost of $2.2 million of the actual cost of contribution, whichever is the lesser sum, and the total amount donated by the public.

With regard to the fourth question, it is necessary to work overtime not only to enable the Theatre to be completed in time for the South-East Asia Cultural Festival but also for structural reasons. Some concreting operations cannot be stopped until a certain stage is reached, otherwise the whole structure would be weakened. May I also point out that the Government does not pay for the over-time. It is the responsibility of the contractor who is committed to finishing the Theatre by a given specified time.