THOMSON CONSTITUENCY (Request for soccer field)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will request the Housing and Development Board to provide a soccer field in the Thomson Constituency.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Sir, the HDB will only provide football fields and other recreational facilities in the large housing estates in order to make the most efficient use of land and benefit the largest number of people. The HDB will not provide a soccer field in the Thomson Constituency where there are only three predominantly non-residential estates, namely, Sin Ming Industrial Estate, Lakeview Shopping Centre and Upper Thomson Second Shopping Centre with relatively small populations. Residents in the Thomson Constituency can share the sports facilities which are provided in the neighbourhoods of Toa Payoh New Town and Ang Mo Kio New Town.