GEYLANG FIRES (Government aid to victims)

Mr Ong Lian Teng asked the Minister for Social Affairs what was the total amount of aid in cash received up to 30th November, 1963, by each fire victim of the recent fires in Lorongs 3 and 21, Geylang, and what other aids in kind has the Government given to each of the fire victims.

Mr Chan Chee Seng (for the Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, I have been asked by the Minister to reply to Question No. 4.

Victims of the Geylang, Lorong 21, fire which occurred on 29th October, 1963, have received total assistance in cash of $40 each. Victims of the Geylang, Lorong 5-9, fire of 15th November, 1963, have so far each received $40 aid in cash.

In addition to these payments, families which have lost all their possessions as a result of the two fires will be paid rent subsidy, calculated at $7 per victim, subject to a maximum of $35 per month per family, for a period of three months. Victims of the Lorong 21 fire were also given one tin of condensed milk per person from stocks of previous donations in kind which had been received from the public in respect of previous fires. For the Lorong 5-9 fire, donations of condensed milk, rice and noodles were received from the public, and were distributed to the victims as follows: Condensed milk 1 tin per person Rice 3 katies per person Noodles 1 lb. per person Old clothing donated by members of the public was also distributed to victims of both fires.