HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD FLATS (Number of applicants on waiting list)

Mr N. Govindasamy asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board what is the total number of applicants on the waiting list, as at the latest convenient date, for the renting of (i) one-room flats; (ii) two-room flats; and (iii) three-room flats.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, the total number of applicant on the waiting list as at 30th November, 1968, for the renting of Housing Board flats is as follows: One-room flats 7,064 applicants Two-room flats 4,837 applicants Three-room flats 3,022 applicants ------ Total 14,923 applicants ======

Mr N. Govindasamy (Telok Blangah): Sir, in view of the large number of applicants waiting for one-room flats, what plans has the Housing Board to rectify this position in the future'?

Mr Barker: Mr Speaker, Sir, it has been our policy to cater for the really poor, and about 50 per cent of the flats that are let out are, in fact, reserved for applicants requiring one-room flats.