TREE CUTTING IN UNIVERSITY GROUNDS

Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam asked the Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry if he will ascertain from the National University of Singapore the reason for the cuffing down of trees in the University grounds before the recent visit of the Prime Minister to the campus.

The Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry (Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam): Mr Speaker, Sir, the National University of Singapore cuts down trees when they are old, brittle or unsightly. The NUS also plants new trees and shrubs when necessary. All this is part of a continuing process to upgrade and improve the environment and landscape of the campus grounds and not, as implied by the Member for Anson's question, a special effort to beautify the grounds for the Prime Minister's visit.

Mr Jeyaretnam: Sir, are we to understand from the Hon. Minister's reply that the NUS suddenly discovered before the Prime Minister visited the University that a lot of the trees were rotten and unsightly?

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Mr Speaker, Sir, evidently the Member has not listened to my answer. If the University were to cut down trees every time the Prime Minister visits it, then the campus will resemble a desert. I can assure the Member that there are many trees left in the campus.