FORMER ST JOSEPH'S INSTITUTION AND FORMER TAO NAN SCHOOL BUILDINGS (Conversion of)

Mr Yeo Choo Kok asked the Minister for Community Development what progress has been made to convert (i) the old St Joseph's Institution into an art gallery and (ii) the old Tao Nan School into a museum for children.

The Minister for Community Development (Mr Wong Kan Seng): Sir, the conversion of the St Joseph's Institution building into a Fine Arts Museum is one of the projects under the Tourism Product Development Plan approved by the Government in principle.

A preliminary concept plan has already been drawn up by the Public Works Department and they are now making the cost estimates. Next month, we will be sending a study team overseas to visit museums in France and Germany where they have converted old buildings into museums and we will learn from their experiences. If everything goes according to plan, then we will be able to see the museum in four years' time.

Similarly, with the Tao Nan School. The plan to convert the Tao Nan School building into a Children's Museum is also part of the Tourism Product Development Plan.

A concept plan has also been completed. And we will be sending a study team to America and Canada to learn from their experience in how to run a Children's Museum and what are in a Children's Museum. According to plan again and if everything goes well, we will see the museum also in four years' time.