SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN TANJONG RHU (Extension to Rhu Cross)

Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether the existing sewerage system in the Tanjong Rhu area, laid pre-war up to the Singapore Swimming Club, will he extended to Rhu Cross to provide sewerage facilities to the factories and residents there, and when the work will be carried Out.

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am aware that there was a 12-inch sewer built in 1938 up to the Singapore Swimming Club only. In 1964 plans were drawn up by the Public Works Department for the extension of this sewer up to Rhu Cross. The estimated cost of this extension is about half a million dollars. This is a large sum of money relative to the number of people that will benefit from the project. There are many areas in Singapore with denser populations and more urgent needs, and so this project has to be given low priority.

The working drawings are ready and it is hoped that funds will he available within the next five years to proceed with this project. But I would like to point out to the hon. Member for Mountbatten that all the factories and many private houses in that area have their own septic tanks and only about 60 premises depend on the nightsoil bucket system.