SALE OF COMMERCIAL/SHOP UNITS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES (For use as offices of MPs/political parties' branch offices)

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for National Development whether the Housing and Development Board is planning to sell commercial and/or shop units in public housing estates for use as constituency offices of Members of Parliament and/or political parties' branch offices.

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, shops in the HDB estates provide goods and services needed by residents. At present, HDB sells new shops in housing estates which are under development. The Planning Authority generally allows these shops to be used for service and retail purposes. MPs can tender for HDB shops and commercial premises for use as MPs' offices if the change of use is approved by the Planning Authority.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Sir, I have two supplementary questions. (1) Can MPs apply to buy shops now before their offices are demolished in September? (2) Will change of use be granted when they purchase these commercial premises?

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, MPs can of course bid whenever shops are put out for sale. So they should keep a look out and look at the newspapers. When HDB puts out shops for sale they can make their bids.

As to whether change of use would be allowed, this really depends on where the shops are. I would say that in the majority of cases it would be allowed. MPs can always check with the Planning Authority before they make their bid.