MULTI-STOREY FLATS (Provision of letter-boxes on ground floor)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Communications if he will take steps to require that private letter-boxes are provided on the ground floor-for each flat in multi-storeyed private and Housing and Development Board flats.

Mr Phua Bah Lee (for the Minister for Communications): Sir, I have been asked by my Minister to answer.

Legislation is being prepared to provide for the compulsory installation of letter-boxes in all high-rise residential and office buildings, including Government buildings. The scheme will be implemented in stages under which developers or owners of buildings already completed or under construction will be given reasonable time to comply with the provisions of the new law.

Mr P. Govindaswamy: Sir, how many multi-storey buildings are there in which letter-boxes have been provided on the ground floor either in Housing Board flats or private flats?

Mr Phua Bah Lee: Sir, at the moment there are five Housing Board estates having such letter-boxes, namely, St. Michael's Road Estate, Selegie House Estate, Bukit Ho Swee Estate, Toa Payoh Estate and Queenstown Neighbour 6.