VACANT WET MARKET STALLS (Tender)

Dr Wong Kwei Cheong asked the Minister for the Environment when will the Government tender out wet market stalls which have been left vacant for many months.

The Minister for the Environment (Dr Ahmad Mattar): Mr Speaker, Sir, stalls are being kept vacant for offer to stallholders in existing markets and food centres that are affected by redevelopment projects. We will consider tendering out some of these vacant stalls when we are more certain of demand for such resettlement purposes.

Mr Chin Harn Tong (Aljunied GRC): Sir, can the Minister tell this House how many markets and food centres are affected by redevelopment projects?

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Speaker, Sir, between now and 1996, some 20 markets and food centres will be phased out to make way for various redevelopment projects.