CHINESE AND JAPANESE GARDEN

Mr R. Ravindran asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether the Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden are being operated with a net profit annually and (b) whether his Ministry will consider allowing free entry to these Gardens for the benefit of residents in the west region.

Mr Lee Yock Suan: (a) The Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden are operated at a loss and have to be subsidised by the Jurong Town Corporation. The operating deficits incurred for FY94/95, FY 95/96 and FY 96/97 are as shown: Financial 94/95 95/96 96/97 Year Income $1,161,843 $ 851,047 $ 891,571 Expenditure $1,412,411 $1,294,394 $1,039,937 Operating $ 250,568 $ 443,347 $ 148,366 Deficit

(b) In view of the high cost of maintaining the buildings and special structures in the Gardens, admission charges are necessary to help defray part of the operating cost. However, to make the Garden more accessible and affordable, a scheme of unlimited entry (excluding special functions) at a nominal rate of $20 per annum per person will be introduced in August this year.