FARMING LICENSING SCHEME (Land for farmers affected by clearance)

Mr Ho Kah Leong asked the Minister for Law and National Development how many farmers in the Republic have been registered under the Farming Registration Scheme up to the latest convenient date; and whether those farmers will be considered for land allocation when they are affected by clearance.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Law and National Development (National Development Division) (Mr Ho Cheng Choon) (for the Minister for Law and National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, up to 31st December, 1969, 20,357 farms with a farming population of 53,291 persons were registered under the Farm Licensing Scheme. Out of this, 37,025 persons were working full-time on the farms and 16,266 persons part-time.

Licensed farmers affected by clearance are given monetary compensation but not always allocated land. This is because of the scarcity of suitable agricultural land.

Mr Ho Kah Leong (Jurong): (In Mandarin): Will the Parliamentary Secretary inform us which type of farmers will be allocated land when they are affected by clearance?

Mr Ho Cheng Choon: Mr Speaker. Sir, only those farmers who are engaged full-time on the farm will be eligible for land allocation when they are affected by clearance