VACANT HDB SHOPS (Allocation to resettled shopkeepers)

Mr Goh Choon Kang asked the Minister for National Development (a) how many Housing and Development Board shops were vacant as at 31st December, 1986; and (b) how many shopkeepers affected by resettlement are awaiting the allocation of such shops.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as at 31st December 1986, there were 650 vacant HDB shops which were being offered to tenderers and resettlement cases. In addition to this, there are another 500 shops which are either left vacant pending redevelopment under the current exercise to redevelop old rental blocks or are earmarked for other uses, such as letting out to non-profit organizations.

Presently, there are 200 shopkeepers affected by resettlement who are awaiting allocation of HDB shops. In addition, there are an estimated 1,000 new resettlement cases who are expected to request for shops.

Mr Goh Choon Kang (Braddell Heights): Can the Minister tell us how many out of the 200 he mentioned have been waiting for allocation of shops for more than two or three years?

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, I do not have the details. If the Member would write to me, I can give the answer.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Minister has mentioned that some of these shops are to be allocated to non-profit organizations. Do the PAP education centres come under this classification?

Mr Dhanabalan: Education centres are non-profit organizations but my reference was to other organizations such as old folks homes, child creches and so on.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, under what basis does the HDB rent out to the PAP for use as education centres?

Mr Dhanabalan: Education centres in constituencies are let out by the HDB to the PAP on a concession rental basis because it provides a service to the constituents and their children. This has been the policy and we will continue to follow this policy.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Are the concessions similar to those given to MPs, only $5 a unit or thereabouts?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is not $5 a unit. I think it works out to $1.30 per sq. metre, or something like that.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Is the HDB willing to give this concession to other political parties who wish to have education centres?

Mr Dhanabalan: This concession is not given to political parties. It is given to a service, an educational service.

Mr Chiam See Tong: The PAP is the only political party ---

Mr Dhanabalan: Yes, it happens that the education service or education centres are run by the PAP. But the HDB will be making available education centres to bona fide foundations or education centres running such educational services.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Mr Deputy Speaker, as I know it, I have travelled in many of the constituencies and I see big PAP logos drawn on the walls of units where they have got these education centres there. So certainly it was given to a political party. There is no doubt about that. So if concession is given to one political party, will the HDB consider giving the same concession to other political parties?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have said that the concession is not given to a political party. It is to an education service provided to the constituents. If an established bona fide organization applies to the HDB to provide a service to the constituents, HDB will certainly consider it.