DEVELOPMENT OF LAND BETWEEN MIDDLE ROAD AND BRAS BASAH COMPLEX

Mr Ho See Beng asked the Minister for National Development what plan he has for the piece of land between Middle Road and the Bras Basah Complex as there does not seem to be any building activity on the land after completion of the piling works.

Mr Lee Yock Suan (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, the piece of land between Middle Road and Bras Basah Complex was originally earmarked for public housing. However, the Government decided in September, 1982, that there should be no further construction of HDB flats in the Central Core because of the high opportunity cost of land there. The HDB has therefore shelved its original plan for the land at Middle Road. A decision on its future development has yet to be made.

In the meantime, the land has been converted into a temporary car park. The piling work already carried out at the site will not go to waste as future development there can be designed to use the existing piles.

Mr Ho See Beng: Would the Minister of State inform this House how much money has been spent on the piling?

Mr Lee Yock Suan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not have the information available here. I will supply him with the information in writing.