SIN MIN ROAD (Use of squatter-free land)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Law and National Development what use will be made of the portion of land at Sin Min Road which had been cleared of squatters recently.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (Law Division) (Mr S. Ramaswamy) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the land referred to by the Member for Thomson is state land comprising an area of about 42 acres. Access to this land is by way of Sin Min Road and Jalan Todak, off Upper Thomson Road. The area is now being cleared of squatters. It is proposed to develop the land into an industrial estate for the resettlement of motor workshops and garages which are affected by public projects in various parts of the city.

Mr Ang Nam Piau (Thomson): Can the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House when this project will start?

Mr S. Ramaswamy: Part of this land is presently being used by the Ministry of Interior and Defence. According to the Resettlement Department, site preparation work will shortly commence which will include sub-division and making up of internal roads. In-filling will start at the end of this year or early next year.