VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG (Conversion into MP's office)

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for National Development (a) what percentage of the total void deck space available in Hougang will an MP's office take up and (b) why does he think that the conversion of void deck space into an MP's office is not justified.

The Minister for National Development (Mr S. Dhanabalan): Mr Speaker, Sir, an MP's office in Hougang would take up about 1% of the available void deck space. The question, however, is not how much of void deck space would be taken up as an MP's office, but what kind of uses should be allowed in void decks.

Not all HDB blocks have void decks. For example, in the older estates, the ground floor is occupied by flats and shops. In newer estates, the void deck space is segmented by staircases, lift lobbies and other architectural features that help enhance the privacy of the flats. These design considerations necessarily limit the amount of void deck space.

Void decks are provided for two purposes. Firstly, they create a sense of openness at the ground level as HDB blocks are built fairly close to each other. Secondly, void decks are provided as important communal space for residents. They are used for social interaction as well as for other practical purposes, such as space for family members to wait for children who are being sent off or received from school. HDB would therefore keep enclosure of void decks to the minimum.

There is constant demand for void deck space from community service and charitable organisations for use as family service centres, day care centres, kindergartens and other welfare uses. There is also demand from organisations such as clan groups, merchants' associations, and so on who also claim to serve the community. At the same time, we have to set aside some void decks for the construction of civil defence shelters as part of the long-term civil defence plan.

We cannot accommodate all such demands, and it is a matter of judgment where we should draw the line. HDB has decided to only allow education and social services needed either by the residents in the area or the community at large. Political parties will be treated the same as trade and clan organisations. No void deck space will be allocated to them. MPs or political parties may tender for commercial premises to be used as their offices, subject to Planning approval for change of use.

Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang): Sir, is the Minister aware that my constituents complain to me that neither social nor recreational activities are organised in the premises at Block 136 which was allocated to the Advisor of the CCC since last year?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not aware of what is happening in his constituency. I have stated the general policy and it must apply to all constituencies. Under the general policy, no space will be allocated for MPs or political parties.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Sir, does the Minister agree that it will be a waste of precious natural resources if these premises intended for social and recreational purposes, which have already been allocated, have not been put to optimal use?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I expect that in Hougang, as in other constituencies, social welfare organisations will be making applications and they will be considered. If there are no such organisations using the space in Hougang, I am sure, over time, applications will come. But we cannot make decisions based on the conditions prevailing in a particular constituency. We need a general policy that applies to all constituencies and if there is space in Hougang that is not yet used by social and welfare organisations, that will be the present case, but I am sure that it will not be the case in the future.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Sir, may I refer to the Minister's statement just now about tender. Is the Minister aware that there are no shops available in Hougang for tender as an MP's office and 90% of Hougang constituency are HDB properties.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I assume the shops in Hougang are occupied already. But they are all rented and, as in other HDB estates, tenants do give up space and space does become available from time to time. Also, under the sales programme, I do not know whether all the shopkeepers will buy the shops. So, as in other places, there is a turnover of tenancy and when there is a turnover, the shop is put up for tender, the MP can make his bid.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Besides tender, can the Minister enlighten me how I could get an MP's office?

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know whether it is my job to advise the MP how he should go about his work.

Mr Low Thia Khiang: Sir, is the Minister aware that one way of getting the MP's office is to set up a community foundation as the PAP has done. My question is: is the Minister aware that, to set up such a foundation as the PAP's, it requires $5 million paid-up capital? What is the rationale behind this requirement of $5 million? Would the Minister, upon my request, give me a loan of $5 million?

Mr Speaker: Order. I do not think your question is related to the matter under discussion. Do you have any other supplementary question?

Mr Low Thia Khiang: No.