HDB FLAT-PURCHASERS (Refund of excess payments)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development whether all the refunds have been made to Housing and Development Board flat-purchasers who have paid in excess of the purchase prices as agreed in the agreements of sale and purchase.

Mr Lee Yiok Seng (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am again replying on behalf of my Minister. Sir, at the Parliament meeting on 27th October, 1986, my Minister had informed Members that the lessees concerned will be given refunds within three months, ie, by 27th January 1987. All the lessees concerned have been informed to call at the HDB Sales Section to endorse the necessary legal documents so that the refunds can be made. If the lessees keep their appointments, the refunds can be made within two to four weeks' time.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, is the Senior Parliamentary Secretary proposing to pay interest on all those monies held for over a year?

Mr Lee Yiok Seng: The answer is no.

Maj Fong Sip Chee (Kampong Chai Chee): May I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary, so far how many refunds have been made, and how many refunds are still being considered? Since this is the first time the Senior Parliamentary Secretary is answering questions in Parliament, I should not be too harsh on him with other questions.

Mr Lee Yiok Seng: Sir, according to my records here, yesterday 16 applicants have called at the Sales Section to endorse the necessary documents, and they will be paid within two to four weeks' time.

Maj Fong Sip Chee: How many are outstanding, Mr Speaker, Sir?

Mr Lee Yiok Seng: Sir, altogether there were 53 cases and we have called them to go to the Sales Section to endorse the necessary legal documents.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, will these refunds be made in full? Can the Senior Parliamentary Secretary guarantee that there are no deductions from these refunds?

Mr Lee Yiok Seng: Yes, Sir.