TRAFALGAR ESTATE (Provision of water and electricity supplies)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Law and National Development what progress has been made with the approved projects for provision of water and electricity supplies for the residents of Trafalgar Estate in the light of changed circumstances connected with control of the former Cable and Wireless installations in the neighbourhood between the end of 1965 and now.

Mr Ho Cheng Choon (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, on the 3rd January, 1966, the Cable & Wireless Receiving sites at Trafalgar Estate were taken over by the Singapore Government. This is an overseas radio receiving station occupying 250 acres of land, of which nearly 200 acres were rented out in 140 plots which vary from 1/8th to 5½ acres. There are 119 houses on the site accommodating some 1,116 people. For some time now these people have been making requests for cracks to be repaired, drains to be made, standpipes to be installed, and electricity to be supplied in Trafalgar Estate.

There is, however, security objection to allowing a settler within the compound of an overseas radio receiving station. The aerials that are installed on the ground constitute the life-line of the station and any interference or damage will have far-reaching consequences on the traffic communications network. It would, therefore, appear that action should be taken to resettle these squatters instead of providing water and electricity supplies and thereby encouraging them to settle.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Mr Speaker, Sir, a supplementary question. The Parliamentary Secretary has just mentioned that these people are squatters. I beg to correct him. These people are tenants; they pay rent. But my question is: whether and when will resettlement take place?

Mr Ho Cheng Choon: Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no immediate plan to resettle these squatters at the moment. But it is needless for the hon. Member for Punggol to worry about when to remove them. As soon as plans are ready, Government will give ample time for them to move.

Mr Ng Kah Ting: A supplementary question, Sir. The Parliamentary Secretary talks about Government making plans to resettle these people. More than a year has passed and may I ask when will these plans be ready?

Mr Ho Cheng Choon: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Cable & Wireless Receiving Station is under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Prime Minister's Office. When the D.P.M.'s Office has the plans ready, of course, the hon. Member will be informed.