GOVERNMENT REPAIR OF PRIVATE ROADS

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether he is aware that certain land-owners have persistently refused to allow their private roads, which have been used by residents in the area for more than 20 years, to be repaired by the Government in spite of many appeals by the residents, and what steps he will take to compel the land-owners under existing laws to repair such roads, or whether the Government will repair them and charge the cost to the land owners concerned.

Mr Barker: There are very few instances where land-owners have objected to existing tracks being repaired by the Government. Whether a private road has been used for more than 20 years or not is not so easy to establish, as the residents try to make out. However, even if it is established that the road has been used by the residents for more than 20 years, it does not confer title to the land but gives only a right of way, a right to pass to and fro over the road, which still cannot be repaired by Government unless the consent of the land-owners concerned is obtained, if the owners persistently refuse to give such permission and if the Government is satisfied that the making up of these private roads is justifiable, then the proposals could be considered under the provisions of the Local Government Integration Ordinance. The Director of Public Works is empowered under certain sections of this Ordinance to make up streets and to repair them, and to tecover the cost from the owners of frontages.

Mr Speaker: Is there a Ministerial statement to be made? Mr Prime Minister.