Hansard, 1992-03-18

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) 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.

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) 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.

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) 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?

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) 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.

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) 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?

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) 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.

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) 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.

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) 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.

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) Besides tender, can the Minister enlighten me how I could get an MP's office?

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not know whether it is my job to advise the MP how he should go about his work.

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) 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?

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) Order. I do not think your question is related to the matter under discussion. Do you have any other supplementary question?

ORAL ANSWER TO QUESTION - VOID DECK SPACE IN HOUGANG - (Conversion into MP's office) No.

ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1992 TO 31ST MARCH, 1993 - Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [6th Allotted Day].

ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1992 TO 31ST MARCH, 1993 - Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [6th Head P (cont.) - Resumption of Debate on Question [17th March, 1992], "That the total sum to be allocated for Head P of the Main Estimates be reduced by $100." - [Mr Loh Meng See]. Question again proposed.

ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1992 TO 31ST MARCH, 1993 - Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [6th Sir, yesterday, before the adjournment, I spoke on the subject of consultancy fee scheme. After almost two years of experience in operating the existing consultancy fee scheme, I have no doubt that the Ministry of Health will be able to come out with a fair, equitable and competitive revised remuneration system for doctors and specialists. I would like to hear from the Minister on the revision that he suggests. Sir, there is a wide gap and difference in the recovery rates of the B2 and B1 wards. May I suggest that the Ministry consider providing an in-between category, say, with 50% recovery rate. This will provide for a continuum of recovery rate and the middle income group would be taken care of. Sir, can I move on to the next subject?

ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1992 TO 31ST MARCH, 1993 - Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [6th Yes.

ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1992 TO 31ST MARCH, 1993 - Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [6th Sir, I would like to know, under this heading "Voluntary and non-medical participation" what kind of help the Ministry of Health is extending to the St. Andrew's Community Hospital and the St Luke's Home for the Elderly Sick to be opened at Bukit Batok. Sir, what about Kwong Wai Shui Hospital, an example of a community hospital run for many years by a clan association? Can the Ministry not give grants to refurbish and put to the hospital to wider use? I understand that there is still capacity at Kwong Wai Shui Hospital to take in more patients. I hope to see more clan associations coming forward to extend their resources to help look after the elderly sick. Finally, I suggest that the CPF Board set up a medical insurance corporation to pool the resources of contributing CPF members. If we have a direct pooling of insurance premiums through CPF medical insurance, we can find some ways to help those unfortunate fellow Singaporeans who need hospitalisation. Also, may I know from the Minister what are the measures that will be taken to implement the recommendations of the Review Committee because ultimately, what is important is that we have the will to implement all the recommendations suggested in the Review Committee's Report.

ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1992 TO 31ST MARCH, 1993 - Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [6th ( In Mandarin): Sir, I support the recommendation by Dr Ow Chin Hock yesterday, that the Ministry of Health should attach more importance to the role of traditional medicine. Now, I would like to urge the Ministry of Health to conduct a National Examination on Chinese Medicine to regulate and promote the practice of Chinese Medicine. According to information given by the Chinese Physicians Association, there are more than 1,500 Chinese physicians, more than 800 Chinese medicine shops, and more than 30 charitable Chinese medical clinics operating in Singapore. This illustrates the esteem given to Chinese physicians and Chinese medicine by the people of Singapore. It also confirms the curative effect of Chinese medicine. As such, I feel that the Ministry of Health should not ignore the need to control the practice of Chinese medicine in Singapore. Today, government leaders in China, such as Deng Xiaoping and Yang Shangkun, live up to 70-80 years old, and are still enjoying good health. It shows that Chinese medicine does have its curative effect. In Singapore, during the examination period, parents would give their children ginseng solution or boil chicken soup with some Chinese herbs to strengthen their bodies and improve their mental alertness. This again shows that Chinese medicine does have some curative effect. Presently, in order to prevent some "quack" doctors from cheating and carrying out improper practice, thereby tarnishing the reputation of Chinese medicine and damaging the health of the people, the Chinese Physicians Association has exercised some self-regulatory measures such as the issue of Practising Certificates for its members to display at their clinics. However, without the involvement of the Ministry of Health and the statutory effect that would follow, this measure may not achieve its desired result. As such, I would once again urge the Ministry of Health to legislate the control of Chinese physicians and the basic facilities required of their clinics for them to practise Chinese Medicine, so as to avoid a repeat of incidents such as the misuse of western medicine by the Chinese physicians. I suggest that the Ministry of Health invite "National Grade" Chinese physicians from China and Taiwan to come over here to discuss the matter, and together with the established local bodies of Chinese medicine, form a "Chinese Medicine Examination Board" to conduct a national examination for all the Chinese physicians in Singapore. This will prevent those who have received just two or three months of training from practising and passing off as qualified Chinese physicians. In order to give the practising Chinese physicians more time to prepare themselves, psychologically and professionally, the Ministry of Health may consider implementing, after a certain date in a few years' time, the ruling that only those who have passed the National Chinese Medicine Examination may practise Chinese medicine, and recognizing the medical certificates issued by these qualified Chinese physicians. I am sure those bona fide and experienced Chinese physicians are supportive of the move to uphold the reputation of traditional Chinese medicine. They will not be afraid to undergo this examination process to prove their worth, and to enhance the image and reputation of Chinese medicine. At the same time, I would suggest that this examination be conducted in Chinese for the convenience of the many Chinese physicians. In addition, the Ministry of Health should conduct regular checks on Chinese herbal and patent medicines, with proper regulatory measures, so as not to hamper the development of Chinese medicine. I hope that the Ministry of Health would treat this as a matter of importance.

ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1992 TO 31ST MARCH, 1993 - Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [6th Sir, in view of the time constraint, I will withdraw my amendment and raise the issue on another occasion.

ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1992 TO 31ST MARCH, 1993 - Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [6th Sir, the Government's cost recovery target for B2 and C wards has been fixed at 40% and 25% respectively. The actual cost recovery reached by Government hospitals in 1991 was about 25% for Class B2 and 15% for Class C. Sir, medical costs would continue to rise due to increases in manpower cost, the use of high medical technology and life expectancy. Therefore, even if the recovery rates are fixed at the current level, subsidised patients would already have to pay for such increase. The raising of recovery rates will further add to their burden. Take Class B2, for example. Assuming that the recovery rate is to be increased from 25% to the targeted 40% by the year 2000 and that unit hospitalisation cost increases at the rate of, say, 6-7% per year, which is a conservative figure, the annual rate of increase in charges for Class B2 is estimated to be about 14%. That is a fairly large annual increase and will appear contrary to the Government's concern for the lower income groups. I therefore urge the Minister to consider reducing the targeted cost recovery rates for both Class B2 and C wards to at most 35% for Class B2 and 20% for Class C.

ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR - 1ST APRIL, 1992 TO 31ST MARCH, 1993 - Order read for consideration in Committee of Supply [6th Mr Yeo. We saved some time during Question Time, so you have some extra time. "Guillotine" time will be 1.33 pm for this amendment. 12.45 pm