ISSUE OF HAWKER LICENCES (Centralisation)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology whether he is aware that new applicants for hawker licences have been referred from one ministry to another, and if the Government will consider centralising the issue of hawker licences within one ministry so as to avoid the inconveniences caused to the applicants.

The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment (Mr Chor Yeok Eng) (for the Minister for Law, the Environment and Science and Technology): ( In Mandarin): Mr Speaker, Sir, four authorities are responsible for the management of hawkers. The Ministry of the Environment manages Government markets and food centres, whilst the Statutory Boards, i.e. Housing and Development Board, Jurong Town Corporation and the Port of Singapore Authority, are responsible for the markets and food centres built by them. Applications for new licences are made to the appropriate authority which manages these markets/food centres and the allocation of stalls is governed by a common Government policy.

If processing of applications and allocation of stalls are centralised under one Ministry, there will be further delays as these applications will still have to be referred to the respective authorities managing the markets/food centres. However, we will continue to find other means of simplifying the procedure for application of hawker licences.