CIVIC AND CLAN ASSOCIATIONS (Applications for change of use of premises)

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for National Development how many applications for change of use of premises into association offices have been rejected by the Building Control Division in 1977, 1978, and the first seven months of 1979; and whether steps have been taken to develop a piece of land in Geylang to accommodate those civic and clan associations which have been affected by urban renewal or whose applications for change of use of premises have been rejected.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Sir, 18 applications for change of use of premises into association offices were rejected in 1977 and 12 in 1978. Three were rejected in the first seven months of 1979.

My Ministry is considering several parcels of State land for the development of association or religious buildings. These will be sold through the next URA sale of sites for private development. A number of these sites are in the Geylang area.