VACANT STALLS IN HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD MARKETS AND HAWKER CENTRES

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for National Development and Communications whether he is aware that many stalls in Housing and Development Board markets and hawker centres are vacant and if he will request the Board to relax or revise the existing policy so that those vacant stalls may be taken up.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Sir, I am aware of the vacant stalls in the HDB markets and hawker centres. However, on the recommendation of the Hawkers Co-ordinating and Licensing Committee, these stalls are reserved for the resiting of about 11,750 licensed street hawkers.

Under the present set of criteria, stalls are awarded to deserving cases such as licensed hawkers and small-time traders affected by clearance, licensed street hawkers and genuine hardship cases. The criteria are under constant review and are revised whenever necessary and justifiable.