HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD PROPERTIES OCCUPIED BY PEOPLE'S ACTION PARTY

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development if he will furnish a statement of all Housing and Development Board properties occupied by the People's Action Party for whatsoever purpose whether as offices or for activities conducted by the Party listing severally the addresses at which the properties are occupied, the arrangements under which they are occupied and the rentals that are charged for the occupation.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: The People's Action Party rents 30 premises from the Housing and Development Board as Branch offices. The addresses of these premises, their dates of tenancy commencement, rentals and tenancy status are shown in Annex II (Cols. 429 - 430). Annex II - HDB PROPERTIES OCCUPIED BY PEOPLE'S ACTION PARTY (Cols. 429 - 430)

The premises were allocated to the PAP by public tender and the rentals paid are the tendered prices. Any political party or member of the public may tender for such premises.

Such branch offices at market rentals should not be confused with MP's offices or space for education centres rented from the HDB. The HDB provides converted void deck space equivalent to one 3-room unit to Members of Parliament for use as their offices in their respective constituencies at the nominal rental of $5 per month. For example the MP for Anson is enjoying such a facility at Block 145, #01-112 Jalan Bukit Merah. The HDB also provides converted void deck space for use as education centres at the rental of $1.30 per sq metre per month.