IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT (Accommodation)

Mr Ang Nam Piau asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education if the Government has any plan to build a large modern air-conditioned building for the Immigration Department so that the Department may more adequately cope with the increasing number of persons who call there.

The Minister for Home Affairs and Education (Mr Chua Sian Chin): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Immigration Head Office on the first floor of the Empress Place Building has a total floor area of 2,312 square metres. This is not adequate to cater for the number of persons visiting the Office.

The Immigration Department has recently taken over 540 square metres of office space on the ground floor of the Empress Place Building which was vacated by the Currency Board. The Department plans to renovate the additional space. Public waiting areas will be extended. Air-conditioning will be provided for the office and public areas of the Building if approved by the Ministry of Finance. With this additional area, the Immigration Head Office will be able to meet its requirements in the next few years.

On a longer term the Department is developing a conceptual plan to construct a new building for its Head Office.