HDB FLATS IN TIONG BAHRU ROAD AND BUKIT MERAH (Lighting of corridors in the day)

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon asked the Minister for National Development and Communications, in view of inadequate sunlight reaching into the common corridors of the emergency type flats in Apartment Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Tiong Bahru Road and Apartment Blocks 108 and 109, Jalan Bukit Merah, because of their structure, if he will ask the Housing and Development Board to consider switching on the lights during the day time or providing means for more sunlight to be admitted into those flats.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Housing and Development Board will undertake to convert the above building blocks so that more sunlight can be admitted into the common corridors of these flats. However, as this would involve extensive demolition and alterations to the flats, the conversion has been programmed for the end of 1978 or early 1979.

Generally, common corridors in HDB blocks are adequately illuminated in the evenings. During the day, there is sufficient natural daylight along the common corridors even in blocks of 1-room flats. However, in some of the blocks with long corridors the lighting may appear slightly inadequate in certain parts of the corridors during rainy days. The Area Officers in charge will investigate the need for turning on lights during the day, if found necessary.