HAWKERS SELLING IN SHOP PREMISES (Policy)

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for Law and the Environment whether he is aware that hawkers, who sell their wares within shop premises instead of at their pitches, which the hawkers allege are unsuitable for the type of goods they are selling, have been issued with offence tickets by a hawker inspector, and if he will consider instructing the Hawkers Department to allow such hawkers to sell within shop premises, if they have the approval of the shopowners.

Mr Chor Yeok Eng (for the Minister for Law and the Environment): (In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, it is the policy of my Ministry to encourage hawkers to move into suitable premises. To meet this long-term objective, the Hawkers Department has been constructing new markets and hawker centres to house street hawkers. No action has been taken against hawkers who sell piece and sundry goods inside shophouses. However, in the case of cooked food hawkers, they must sell in licensed food establishments. They must also apply for stall licences. The reason for this policy is to ensure that food establishments are suitable and large enough to house the food stalls and have adequate sanitary, washing and anti-water pollution facilities.

If the Member for Bras Basah will let me have more details of the specific case mentioned, an investigation will be carried out.