VOID DECK AT BLOCK 316, HOUGANG AVE 7 (Use of converted space)

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for National Development what is the proposed use of the converted space at the void deck of Block 316, Hougang Avenue 7 and when the conversion was completed.

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, the conversion of part of the void deck space at Block 316, Hougang Avenue 7 was completed in 1990, at the request of the former Advisor to the Punggol Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC) and the Residents' Committees (RCs). It was to be used as a Senior Citizens' Recreation Centre. It has since been taken up by the present Advisor to the Hougang CCC and RCs for use as a Senior Citizens' Club.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: When was the allocation made?

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, the allocation was made in November 1991.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Why was the converted space at the void deck left vacant for such a long time? And the HDB suddenly discovers that there is a lack of void deck space after I wrote in on 10th September 1991 to request that the converted space be allocated to me for use as an MP's office.

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, as I said, it was converted at the request of the Advisor at that time for use as a recreation centre for the senior citizens. For various reasons, the Advisor then decided to have the centre somewhere else. But it was in fact converted for use by the community. And when the MP asked for the same space to be used as an MP's office, we did not allocate it because, as all MPs know, the provision of MPs' offices by the HDB will terminate in September this year. So there is no point in allocating this space and taking it back again in September if a more permanent use could be found; and we have found a more permanent use. As far as the MP is concerned, we have asked him to identify some void deck space which HDB can convert for temporary use, but it has to be only for temporary use.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Sir, when did the HDB discover that there was insufficient space to build MPs' offices? I understand the HDB made the announcement only after the last elections, and after I wrote in to request for a specific space to be used as an MP's office.

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, the decision by the HDB has nothing to do with the MP's request. The question of provision of MPs' offices by HDB has been under consideration for some time, as there is a heavy demand for use of void deck space. Many void decks have to be retained as void decks because, after all, they were built as such for use by the community in general. Some void deck space is converted for use by specific community organisations. Just because there are void decks it does not mean that they can be converted, closed up and residents denied the use of such void decks. The decision was taken that an MP's office is something that cannot be accommodated as it will deprive residents of the use of void deck space. To a very limited extent, we are prepared to convert void deck space for specific community uses, but not for MPs' use. So the policy was under review for quite some time and it was announced after the last elections.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: The fact is that the converted space in my constituency has been left vacant for so long and yet the HDB says there is not enough space.

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, I do not know what the Member is requesting. HDB has already asked him to identify a void deck space which can be converted very quickly for temporary use. The Member has not responded.

Sir, if he wants an office, the offer is there. And whether it is this or some other place, I think that is not material. But a space can be made available up to September 1992.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Sir, would the Minister answer why, even for a temporary space, no toilet could be provided?

Mr Dhanabalan: I suggest the Member puts in a Question.

Mr Chiam See Tong: The Minister says that there is a heavy demand for void deck space. In the circumstances, are there any HDB guidelines for the use of void deck space? If not, will HDB make such guidelines for future guidance?

Mr Dhanabalan: Sir, certainly we can make public the guidelines. Void deck space is created basically for residents to interact. They are left open, not enclosed, so that senior citizens, children, and so on can gather and use the space. And as I have explained, to a limited extent, we are prepared to enclose the void deck space for use by various community organisations. But there has to be a limit to such conversion. HDB has come to the conclusion that the use of void deck space as MP's office cannot really be justified, because this would mean a further encroachment into the void deck space that has to be left open for residents to use.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Mr Speaker, Sir, would the Minister tell us how big is an MP's office, vis-a-vis the available void deck space at the estate?

Mr Dhanabalan: I do not have the details, Mr Speaker, Sir. But I am sure the Member knows. I think it is about 300 or 400 sq feet. It is equivalent to two 3-room units. That is the general average space of an MP's office.

What was the second question?

Mr Low Thia Khiang: What is the percentage vis-a-vis the available void deck area?

Mr Dhanabalan: I cannot give you the answer off-hand.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: If you are talking about constraints of space, what does it mean that there is not enough space?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have already said that I am prepared to make available the guidelines. We must get the starting point very clear. Void deck space is meant for use by residents in general, without being enclosed. So the very fact that we are prepared to enclose void deck space means we are departing from the primary purpose of providing the void deck space. We would like to keep such conversion to the minimum and leave as much void deck space open for residents to use.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Is the Minister not saying that MP's office will also serve the residents?

Mr Dhanabalan: The straight answer to the question, Mr Speaker, Sir, is that we do not think the conversion of void deck space into MP's office can be justified.