RECLAMATION AT KRANJI

The Minister for Law (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move,

That this Assembly in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Ordinance (Chapter 246) approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the foreshore at Kranji containing an area of approximately 213 acres as delineated on the plan, marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/65", which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.

The purpose of this reclamation, Mr Speaker, Sir, is to provide a suitable site for a sawmill estate. The reclamation will be carried out by the Economic Development Board on behalf of the Government. The reclaimed land will be large enough for about 37 sawmills. In allocating the site, the Economic De velopment Board will give preference to those sawmill operators who are displaced as a result of other public projects, in case we go into a debate on the eviction of squatter families, may I say that a survey has been made in this area and that there are only three squatter families affected - two Malays and one Chinese who are engaged in prawn pond operations. All three families have been resettled elsewhere.

Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Resolved,

That this Assembly in accordance with section 4 of the Foreshores Ordinance (Chapter 246) approves the reclamation by Government of that portion of the foreshore at Kranji containing an area of approximately 213 acres as delineated on the plan, marked "LAND OFFICE RECLAMATION PLAN NO. 2/65", which is deposited in the Land Office, Singapore.