BIGGER HDB FLATS (Plans to meet demand)

Dr S. Vasoo asked the Minister for National Development (a) if he will state the number of applicants on the waiting list to purchase each type of Housing and Development Board flats; and (b) whether the HDB will continue its plans to build bigger flats, such as 4-room, 5-room and Executive flats, to meet current and future demands.

The Minister of State for National Development (Dr Lee Boon Yang) (for the Minister for National Development): Mr Speaker, Sir, there were 64,568 applicants on the waiting list to purchase HDB flats as at 30th April 1988. A breakdown of the applicants by flat types is as follows: 3-room - 5,870 4-room - 33,419 5-room - 16,141 Executive - 8,974 HUDC - 164

The HDB will continue to build 4-room, 5-room and Executive flats as long as there is demand for them.

Dr S. Vasoo (Bo Wen): Sir, in the light of land shortage in Singapore, would there be any serious review in terms of building of housing itself in Singapore?

Dr Lee Boon Yang: Mr Speaker, Sir, the HDB will build according to requirements, to demand, and also on the basis of the land that is available for residential development. The long-range planning will take all these factors into consideration.