HOUGANG NEW TOWN (Occupation of market stalls)

Mr Sia Kah Hui asked the Minister for National Development (a) if he will give an undertaking that immediate steps will be taken to have the empty stalls in the market at Lorong 1 Hougang New Town occupied; and (b) if he will grant the requests of existing licensees in other markets, who have now moved to Hougang New Town, for stalls in Hougang New Town to be given to them in exchange for their present stalls.

Mr Lee Yock Suan (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the market stalls at Hougang Avenue 1 will be allocated to stallholders presently operating at the market at Block 176 Lorong 2 Toa Payoh, which is affected by the development of the Toa Payoh MRT Station. The stalls will be balloted and occupied in April 1983.

Existing licensees in other markets may apply for transfer to the market at Hougang Avenue 1, provided vacant stalls are available after the demand from resettlement cases has been fully satisfied.

Mr Sia Kah Hui (Paya Lebar): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have heard of the transfer of stallholders from Toa Payoh to Hougang about two months ago, but apparently it has not been soon enough because the market was ready about three months ago. Perhaps the Minister could say that the transfer will be done as soon as possible.

Mr Lee Yock Suan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the market was actually completed in June last year. It was held back at the request of the authorities because of the need for resettlement facilities in view of the construction of the MRT. As I have said in my answer, the allocation will now be done in April and the stalls should be occupied by April, that is, next month. I hope that will be soon enough for the Member.