CONTRACTS FOR CLEANING AND GRASS CUTTING IN HDB ESTATES

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many contracts have been directly awarded by the Housing and Development Board for the contract of cleaning and clearing rubbish and grass cutting or landscaping (i.e. maintaining and keeping the estates clean) in Housing and Development Board estates; (b) for how many years the present contractors have held the contracts; and (c) how were the contracts awarded.

Mr Lee Yock Suan (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB has awarded 7 contracts for grass cutting and 17 for cleaning and conser- vancy works. Each contract is awarded for a period of two years. All the contracts were let out by public tender and awarded to the lowest tenderers.