SINGAPORE ARTS COUNCIL BUILDING FUND AND CONSTRUCTION OF NATIONAL ART GALLERY AND ACADEMY OF ARTS BUILDING

Mr Teong Eng Siong asked the Minister for Culture (a) what is the total amount of donations by members of the public to the Singapore Arts Council Building Fund up to 31st October, 1968; and (b) when the construction of the National Art Gallery and the Academy of Arts building will commence.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Culture (Mr Fong Sip Chee) (for the Minister for Culture): Mr Speaker, Sir, the total amount of donations by members of the public to the Singapore Arts Council Fund, together with accrued interest up to 31st October this year, is $1,135,809.60 cents.

With regard to the second part of the question, the National Art Gallery and the Academy of Arts project is one of the projects of the Singapore Arts Council, which is a registered society. It is for the Singapore Arts Council to determine the schedule of construction of the building. This will depend both on preparations for specifications based on a study of the actual requirements in detail as well as availability of further funds both for the capital as well as for the running costs.