HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD FLATS (Water seepage)

Mr M.K.A. Jabbar asked the Minister for National Development whether he is aware that in older Housing and Development Board housing estates like Radin Mas HDB a few years ago was experimenting with one or two solutions to water seepage through windows during heavy rain and when the water seepage will be rectified.

Mr Lee Yock Suan (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, experiments to prevent water seepage through windows have been carried out in HDB estates in Woodlands, Marine Parade, Buona Vista and Telok Blangah using various materials such as aluminium strips, PVC battens and concrete hoods. According to feedback from residents, PVC battens and concrete hoods have proved to be effective. The HDB is considering using these materials in future to prevent the problem. In Radin Mas, a rectification programme using PVC battens is scheduled to begin in mid-1983 and will be completed by the end of the year.

Mr Tang See Chim (Chua Chu Kang): Mr Speaker, Sir, in this case, who bears the cost of remedying this seepage problem? The Minister has now come to the bridge, Would he let us know how he is going to cross it?

Mr Lee Yock Suan: Sir, in this case, since the defect is external, I believe HDB will bear the cost.