HDB INDUSTRIAL ESTATES (Transfer to JTC)

Mr Sia Kah Hui asked the Minister for National Development, since the Jurong Town Corporation flats have been transferred to the Housing and Development Board (one of the reasons being that the HDB has the expertise and capacity to handle), will it not be possible to consider transferring the HDB's industrial estates to the JTC which is the recognised authority managing the light and heavy industries.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB adopts a comprehensive approach in the planning, development and management of its housing estates. Besides housing, HDB estates have com- mercial, educational, social, recreational as well as industrial facilities. Land set aside for light, clean industry in HDB estates serve a dual purpose: to create employment opportunities for residents, and to allow entrepreneurs to tap the plentiful supply of labour in the estates. Like the commercial and shopping areas, the industrial areas are part and parcel of HDB housing estates. They will continue to be managed by the HDB as an integral part of the estates. Nevertheless, to maintain consistency, the HDB adopts, wherever possible, the JTC's policies and practices in the administration and management of its industrial land.

Mr Sia Kah Hui (Paya Lebar): Sir, is there not any duplication in the duties, especially when JTC is managing the industrial estates? Would it not be better if the HDB were to divest itself of the job?

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Mr Speaker, Sir, the industrial estates are built as part of the HDB estates. In HDB estates, the management is handled by the Area Office. So if the industries have any problems they can just go to the Area Office to sort the problem out with HDB. But if these estates were to be handed over to JTC, then they will have to go to Jurong to sort the problem out because JTC will not have an Area Office in every HDB estate.

Mr Sia Kah Hui: Sir, this is the feedback from our own industrialists who are operating in -

Mr Speaker: What is your supplementary question, Mr Sia?

Mr Sia Kah Hui: In fact, considering the problems that they face -

Mr Speaker: Your supplementary question, please.

Mr Sia Kah Hui: - they would prefer it to be managed by the JTC. That is what they say. I do not know what the Minister has to say to that.

Mr Teh Cheang Wan: Could you please supply the names of "they" to me, so that we can get down to who are "they"? We can then get in touch with those people. Then we will see what is the problem.