WATER-BORNE SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN UPPER SERANGOON AREA

Mr R. A. Gonzales asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will indicate when a water-borne sewerage system will be extended to the Upper Serangoon area, which is one of the most densely populated suburbs, so that the people of that area can enjoy the amenity.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, before I answer the question, perhaps it is useful for me to explain briefly the Government policy on sewage schemes.

The long-term objective of the Government is to provide services to the entire island Republic, including both developed and developing areas, but for practical purposes, having regard to the limitation of human and financial resources, it is necessary to plan out the development of sewage schemes in different phases according to the priority of the areas concerned. For example, the developed areas at Toa Payoh, Jurong, Kallang Basin and other similar big new town developments where new projects are taking place have to be accorded top priority in order that these new towns are provided with facilities in time for occupation. Priority is also accorded to areas on the basis of economic returns, such as the Braddell Road/Serangoon Gardens Scheme. All these schemes have, therefore, been included in the Second Development Plan.

I regret to say that the Upper Serangoon area has not been given priority for inclusion in the Second Development Plan. However, when the sewage scheme for the Serangoon area is completed by 1970, it will be further extended to the Upper Serangoon area. Therefore, the Upper Serangoon area will be considered together with some other areas such as Thomson, Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Timah under the next Development Plan.