HOUSING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD FLATS (Priority scheme for first-time house owners)

Mr Chng Hee Kok asked the Minister for National Development if he will improve the priority scheme for first-time house owners in the balloting of Housing and Development Board flats.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang (for the Minister for National Development): Under the existing Revised Balloting Scheme, implemented since January 1992, new households enjoy enhanced probabilities of success compared to upgraders at the ballot for HDB flats in non-mature estates. Apart from Tampines New Town where demand far exceeds supply, new household applicants who continually apply for flats in non-mature estates should generally be able to book a flat within a year of their first application. In the case of upgrader applicants, it is two years from the date of their first application. In other words, new household applicants are given a one year head-start over upgraders under the balloting system in the allocation of HDB flats in non-mature estates. 1.30 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time. The Clerk will circulate your answer to Members.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No. 21(3), Questions Nos. 16 and 17 have been postponed to the next available sitting of Parliament. Written answers to Questions Nos. 14 and 15 on the Order Paper are reproduced in the section, 'Oral Answers to Questions Not Reached' (Cols. 549 - 552).]