SINGAPORE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (Additional facilities and construction of second runway)

Mr P. Govindaswamy asked the Minister for Communications, in regard to the Paya Lebar International Airport, (a) if it is proposed to erect a step-like platform in the Waving Gallery to enable more people to watch aircraft landing and taking off; (b) if he will consider the provision of bigger lockers for the use of transit passengers and a restaurant or refreshment room on the ground floor of the terminal building; and (c) with the heavy aircraft traffic, what is the progress in the construction of the second runway and when it will be completed.

The Minister of State for Communications (Mr Chai Chong Yii) (for the Minister for Conununications): Mr Speaker, Sir, I regret to inform the hon. Member for Anson that the waving gallery at Paya Lebar International Airport was closed with effect from 19th March, 1974, for conversion into offices, in view of the shortage of such space at Singapore Airport. An announcement to this effect was made in the press.

As for the provision of bigger lockers for transit passengers, I would like to inform the Member that the present luggage locker service which commenced business in February this year has 51 standard-sized lockers to accommodate normal-sized baggage. Larger-sized baggage, which cannot go into any of the standard-sized lockers, are being accepted at the operator's counter for storage behind the counter where some open storage space is available. The Department of Civil Aviation has requested the operator to provide bigger lockers and the operator is presently looking into this request.

As for the provision of a restaurant or refreshment room on the ground floor of the Passenger Terminal Building, with the current heavy passenger traffic which is increasing, it is not considered desirable to re-assign space on the ground floor for restaurant or refresh- ment area, as such facilities would occupy a very large area.

The present airport restaurant at the Passenger Terminal Building occupies almost the entire first floor above the public Main Concourse. Easy access from the ground floor has been provided to enable passengers as well as their well-wishers to patronize the restaurant. Furthermore, in the departure/transit hail, restaurant facilities have also been provided for transit passengers to have their meals and refreshments, if needed.

Although approval for the construction of the second runway was given by the Development Planning Committee in July, 1973, no actual construction work has begun. The subject is still under review consequent to the steep rise in oil fuel early this year, and we are watching the impact on the rate of traffic growth. However, land acquisition and resettlement are proceeding for the second runway. If traffic warrants it, the second runway could be ready by the early 1980s.