HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD FLATS (Choice of locality)

Mrs Devan Nair asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will request the Housing and Development Board to permit a choice of locality when they offer flats to applicants who have been given notice to quit State land.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, it has already been the practice of the Housing and Development Board to offer to families who have been given notice to quit State land alternative choices of locality where flats are available. However, there have been cases where applicants insist on a particular flat in a particular estate. Obviously, it has not been possible to satisfy most of such requests.