DEFU INDUSTRIAL ESTATE (Arrears of property tax)

Mr Sia Kah Hui asked the Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how many factory owners/occupants in Defu Industrial Estate have not paid the Property Tax as at 31st May, 1984 and what is the total sum outstanding; and (b) what are the shortest and longest periods for which the Tax is outstanding.

The Minister of State for Finance (Mr Lee Yock Suan)(for the Minister for Finance and Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Speaker, Sir, property tax assessment has been finalized and accepted for 105 owner-occupied factories in Defu Industrial Estate. Of these 105 cases, 59 cases or almost 60% have paid their property tax in full as at 31st May 1984, whilst 46 cases amounting to about $926,000 were still outstanding then, including assessments for additional land leased by some of these factories.

Of the 46 cases still outstanding, 28 received their first property tax bill only in 1984, and 17 in 1983. The shortest period for which the tax is outstanding is 52 days for 11 cases, and the longest period is 17 months for one case.

Lessees/owners can arrange with the Comptroller of Property Tax to pay their outstanding taxes by instalments. Already 28 lessees are doing so.

Mr Sia Kah Hui (Paya Lebar): In view of what the Minister for National Development answered earlier on and what the Minister of State for Finance has indicated, the sum owed is really quite big. It is an indication of the difficulties that the industrialists are facing. So whether a reconsideration of the rate could be made at this point of time? 3.30 pm

Mr Speaker: It is 3.30 pm. As for the rest of the Questions, we will have them postponed till the next sitting day.