FLYOVER AT THOMSON ROAD (Investigation into collapse of concrete beams and death of hawker)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Law and National Development whether an investigation has been conducted into the circumstances which caused the collapse of the concrete beams for a flyover at Thomson Road during the beam-laying operation, resulting in the tragic death of a hawker.

The Minister for Law and National Development (Mr E. W. Barker): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Public Works Department is conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances which caused the collapse of the concrete beams during the erection of the flyover under construction at Thomson Road. As a result of the beams collapsing and causing the death of a hawker, the police are making investigations and in due course there will be a coroner's inquiry into the cause of death.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong (Mountbatten): Pending the result of the police investigation, has the Minister taken sufficient precautionary measures to prevent incidents of this nature from recurring again?

Mr Barker: The P.W.D. knows best and has already taken precautionary measures.