MODERN SANITATION THROUGHOUT SINGAPORE

Mr P. Selvadurai asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will consider extending the benefits of modern sanitation throughout the Republic.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the long-term objective of Government to provide modern sanitation throughout the island. However, the provision of modern sanitation is not only costly but requires careful planning. Therefore, the implementation of the objective has to be carried out in phases - priorities being given to development in some areas like urban renewal projects, Kallang Basin and Toa Payoh.

Provision of adequate and modern sewage facilities for the population is an important element in our development plan. In 20 years the population of Singapore has nearly doubled to a total today of just over two million. The sewage system has been continuously expanded and just over half the population is now served by the system as compared to a quarter of the population in 1949.