HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD (Eviction of tenants breaching Board's regulations)

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Law and National Development (a) whether it is the policy of the Housing and Development Board to evict a tenant it a member of his household is convicted of an offence which, if committed by the tenant, would constitute a breach of the Board's regulations; and (b) whether, if such a policy exists, it could be rescinded or be appropriately altered.

Mr Barker: Sir, it is generally the policy of the Housing and Development Board to evict a tenant if a member of his household is convicted of an offence which, if committed by the tenant, would result in the tenant's eviction. However, eviction is only imposed if the offence is a serious one, e.g., where the flat is used illegally as a common gaming house, a brothel or a den in which opium or ganja is smoked or other drugs are used or kept, or where the tenant or a member of his household assaults an official of the Board. In most of these cases, the tenant cannot surely disclaim liability altogether. It is therefore not thought desirable to rescind or alter a policy which is imposed for the protection of the majority of tenants.