KAMPONG SILAT (Development of slum areas)

Mr P. Govindaswamy: To ask the Minister for National Development and Communications (a) whether he is aware that some of the houses in Kampong Silat have no proper roofing and if he will rectify the situation; (b) whether there are plans to develop the slum areas in Kampong Silat where there are floods, mosquito breeding and unhealthy environment; and (c) whether he will consider selling the old Singapore Improvement Trust flats in the Silat Road area to the sitting tenants.

Mr Speaker: Mr P. Govindaswamy.

Mr Ahmad Haleem: Sir, Question No. 8.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister National Development and Communications): Sir, in answer to (a), all the HDB flats in the Kampong Silat Estate have proper roofing.

In answer to (b), the site where there are squatter huts was until recently intended for a school. As the Ministry of Education has now relinquished its interest, the HDB will consider clearing the site for redevelopment.

In answer to (c), in the Kampong Silat Estate there are 10 blocks of Artisan Quarters/shops and 21 blocks of flats built during the Singapore Improvement Trust days.

214 units of 3-room and 4-room flats in 13 blocks will be offered for sale to the sitting tenants under the Home Ownership Scheme. The flats in Blocks 20 and 21 will not be sold as they are affected by road widening scheme.

Eight blocks of single-storey Artisan Quarters and shops and six blocks of 3- and 4-storey flats will be demolished for redevelopment. The tenants will be rehoused in the new flats adjoining the Kampong Silat Estate which are scheduled to be completed in the middle of 1978.