SIMON ROAD MARKET AND FOOD CENTRE

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Dr Lau Teik Soon asked the Minister for the Environment (a) when and where the Simon Road Hawker Centre will be relocated; and (b) whether the hawkers can be relocated en bloc to the new hawker centre.

The Minister for the Environment (Mr Ong Pang Boon): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Simon Road Market and Food Centre was alienated to the HDB under a comprehensive plan for the development of Hougang New Town. I have been informed by the HDB that the Market and Food Centre will not be relocated within the next two to three years as the HDB will not require this site within that period. In view of the large numbers of stallholders at the Simon Road Market, however, it is unlikely that the stallholders will be relocated en bloc.