CATERPILLARS IN MADRAS THORN TREES (Remedial measures)

Mr Ng Yeow Chong asked the Minister for Law and National Development if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board what remedial measures will be taken to relieve the residents of the nuisance caused by caterpillars which infest the Madras Thorn trees in the Guillemard Road Estate.

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, Madras Thorn trees are liable to be infested with caterpillars when new leaves begin to grow. As soon as any tree is discovered to be so infested, action is taken to destroy the caterpillars with a solution of insecticide. Some Madras Thorn trees in Guillemard Road Estate were recently infested with caterpillars and they were treated with insecticide.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong (Mountbatten): (In Mandarin): Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House how many such trees are there and how many are infested with caterpillars?

Mr Ho Cheng Choon: (In Mandarin): Sir, there are 99 such trees and only 12 are infested with caterpillars.

Mr Ng Yeow Chong: (In Mandarin): Sir, can the Parliamentary Secretary inform the House whether these infested trees will be cut down and new ones planted in their place?

Mr Ho Cheng Choon: (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, when the estate is redeveloped, I think the problem of cutting down those trees will then be solved.