APPLICANTS FOR DRIVING LICENCES (Change of Parking Test Site)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Deputy Prime Minister whether arrangements will be made for the parking test of applicants for driving licences, carried out on the roadway in front of the new community centre under construction behind the Traffic Police Office at Maxwell Road, to be conducted at some other place when the community centre is completed.

Tuan Haji Yaacob (for the Deputy Prime Minister): (In Malay): Most of the activities at a community centre take place after office hours and on weekends or public holidays. Therefore, driving tests conducted on the road in front of the community centre should not in any way interfere with its activities. Even the present construction work carried out in the day-time is not affected at all by the driving tests.

Mr Govindaswamy (Anson): (In Tamil): There is a school erected at the place where the community centre is situated now, and school children may be playing in the field in future. At the time when the tests are taken there, the children will not be able to take a short cut. That is why I say that it is necessary to change the venue.

Mr Speaker: What is the question? Is there a supplementary question which the Member wants to ask?

Mr Govindaswamy: (In Tamil): The Minister has replied that there is no interference at that place. But I say that when the school is erected, the school children will be going to the playground and I think that it is not a proper place to carry out the tests.

Mr Speaker: It is not a supplementary question, but if the Minister of State wishes to answer what is troubling the hon. Member, he may do so. The hon. Member is worried about children crossing the street.

Tuan Haji Yaacob: (In Malay): The question is about the erection of a community centre. If it is a question of the erection of a school, then that is another question completely.