TIONG BAHRU PRE-WAR ESTATE (Installation of communal TV antennas)

Mr Ch'ng Jit Koon asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board (a) whether the Board has any plan to install communal TV antennas in those flats at Tiong Bahru Pre-war Estate; (b) how many blocks of flats situated in Kampong Tiong Bahru Estate in the Tiong Bahru Constituency have been installed with communal TV antennas; and (c) when the remaining blocks of flats there will be provided with such antennas.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Mr Speaker, Sir, in answer to the first part of the question it is the policy of the Board to gradually provide communal TV antennas to old housing estates, including the Tiong Bahru Pre-War Estate. As there are about 78,000 units of flats without this facility, it will take the Board at least three years to complete the exercise of installing the communal TV antennas.

In answer to (b), out of 43 blocks of flats in the Kampong Tiong Bahru Estate, 12 blocks have already been installed with communal TV antennas.

In answer to (c), the remaining blocks of flats in the Kampong Tiong Bahru Estate will be provided with such antennas within the next 12 to 18 months.