PROVISION SHOPS IN HDB ESTATES (Sale of Intoxicating liquor)

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for National Development and Communications if he will ascertain from the Housing and Development Board the reason why proprietors of provision shops in HDB estates have been required to stop selling intoxicating liquors on their premises or face the prospect of rent increase, although they are licensed to sell intoxicating liquors by the Liquors Licensing Board.

Dr Tan Eng Liang (for the Minister for National Development and Communications): Sir, the rentals of HDB shops depend on the type of trades which are specified in the tender applications and in the tenancy agreements. Any shopkeeper who wishes to carry out an additional trade, for instance, sale of intoxicating liquor, must therefore obtain the Board's permission and, if approved, the rental will be subject to review.

Mr Ho See Beng (Khe Bong): Sir, why does the Senior Minister of State not raise any objection when the shopkeeper notifies in the newspapers that intoxicating drinks will be sold on the premises? Why does the Senior Minister of State allow emporiums and supermarkets to sell articles ranging from a drawing pin to an aeroplane, but does not allow a provision shop to sell intoxicating drinks although it is licensed by the Liquors Licensing Board to sell intoxicating drinks?

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Sir, the answer is a fairly simple one. When a shopkeeper tenders for a particular shop premises, he has to make it known in that tender the particular trade he deals in. In a particular block of shops therefore, there are tenders for various trades. The tenderer must indicate what he wants to tender a particular shop for, such as a clinic. Therefore, he tenders a certain price for it. Compared to the tender for another shop, for example, a coffee shop, perhaps the tender price could be different. Therefore, in this case, the tenderer must indicate at the time of tendering that he wants to sell intoxicating liquor, but not as an afterthought. Because if it is an afterthought, it could jeopardise the business of other shops in the same block. So the mistake here is not with the authority but with the tenderer. We are saying that if he wants to add in another trade, it is subject to a review. Whether or not he pays more for it, is a matter for consideration by the Board.

Dr Augustine H.H. Tan (Whampoa): Sir, the relevant question is whether or not the Housing and Development Board is making this as an excuse to raise the rental.

Dr Tan Eng Liang: Sir, it is not. We have in one instance granted an additional trade to a particular tenant without any increase in rental.