Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698845768039.pdf (Singapore)
THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE FIRST SESSION ORDER PAPER MONDAY, 29 FEBRUARY 2016 No.7 12 noon OATH OF ALLEGIANCE Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong (Non-Constituency Member of Parliament) QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER* *1.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) (a) whether current retail petrol prices at petrol pumps reflect the fall in oil prices; (b) whether there is a trend of petrol companies increasing prices faster than they decrease when there are changes to the oil prices; and (c) if so, whether the Ministry plans to implement measures to ensure that petrol companies adjust prices accordingly.

*2.
*2.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) whether the Competition Commission of Singapore regularly monitors the price of petrol in Singapore to ensure that there are no cartel practices that will breach the competition rules in Singapore.

*3.
*3.

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) in view of local petrol prices not falling as much as crude oil prices, whether the Competition Commission of Singapore will consider launching an inquiry on the practices of local oil companies.

*4.
*4.

Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs what measures are taken by the Police during the investigation and law enforcement process to safeguard the interests of children and vulnerable young persons who are · suspected of, or accused of, committing an offence.

No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 2 *5.


Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs if he can provide an update on the review of the procedure to allow an appropriate adult to be present when a young person is interviewed by the police and whether more protection can be accorded to young persons during investigations.

*6.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how does the police keep parents or guardians of minors informed regarding interviews, investigation, arrest or custody of their minors; (b) how does the police ensure that minors who are arrested or subject to police interviews are made aware of their legal rights and have adequate and timely legal representation; (c) how do the Ministry and police monitor and ensure compliance with the law, protocols and processes; and (d) whether interviews of minors are recorded on video as part of the pilot scheme to video-record police interviews of accused persons and, if not, why not and when will video recording be extended to minors.
*7.

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Ministry could have timeously addressed the extensive speculation on social media surrounding the case of the 14-year-old boy who was found dead after being interviewed by the police; and (b) whether there will be a thorough review of police procedures on the interview of vulnerable suspects.

*8.
*8.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether there are standard procedures for interviewing and investigating young persons who are suspected or accused of committing an offence and, if so, what is the age guideline and the standard procedures in place; and (b) whether there are standard procedures to keep the parents or guardians of these young persons informed of the legal process.

*9.
*9.

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs what is the reason for the delay in the Ministry's response to speculation made on social media about the police's conduct in the case of a 14-year-old boy who had died after having been questioned by the police.

*10.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (a) how do the Ministry and schools keep parents and guardians informed of developments when students are engaged in the law enforcement process; (b) what is being done to monitor and ensure compliance to the protocols put in place to protect minors who are subject to police interviews or investigation; (c) how are these protocols reviewed, updated and improved upon; and (d) how does the Ministry ensure that these protocols are consistent with relevant laws and Singapore's obligations as a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
I ' .

t No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 3 *11.

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) what are the schools' procedures when the police go to a school to interview a student in relation to a crime and later decide to bring the student to the police station for further questioning.

*12.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what are the into consideration when deciding on the possible main factors taken underground alignments in the vicinity of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR) for the Cross Island Line; (b) in view of the moderate environmental impact on the nature reserve for the alignment option that cuts beneath the CCNR, whether the Ministry will consider the alternative alignment along Lornie Road which will allow the MRT line to serve more residents and commuters in that vicinity and also result in the protection of our nature reserve and primary forest; and (c) whether the Environmental Impact Assessment report that was recently published can· be made available for viewing online.
*13.
Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what are the impediments to releasing the Cross Island MRT Line (CIL) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Phase 1 report online; (b) what are the main environmental impact the EIA has identified about the site investigations preceding construction of the CIL ·through the Central Catchment Nature Reserve Area and how the Ministry intends to mitigate them; and (c) how is the 'moderate' impact from the CIL (assuming successful mitigation measures) determined and what is the reasoning for why this is acceptable.
*14.

Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for Defence (a) how much is the Government paying for the extra days of National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsals at the Sports Hub; and (b) whether the Government expects to pay similar amounts for future years when the Sports Hub is chosen as the NDP venue again. '"

*15.
*15.

Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for Defence (a) what is the current estimated total cost for National Day Parade (NDP) 2016 after including the cost of rental for the extra days of rehearsals; and (b) how does this compare to the NDP costs ~fthe previous five years.

*16.

Mr Zaqy Mohamad: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information (a) what is the frequency of incidents involving the cutting of telecommunication cables by contractors carrying out earthworks; and .
(b) what steps are being taken to reduce such occurrences.

i No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 4 *17.


Mr Zainal Sapari: To ask the Minister for Communications and Information (a) what is the number of complaints that the Personal Data Protection Commission has received since the implementation of the Personal Data Protection Act on Do-Not-Call related offences; (b) how many companies have been convicted or have had their offences compounded; and (c) whether public education efforts have been effective in educating businesses with regard to compliance of the Act.

*18.
*18.

Dr Lily Neo: To ask the Minister for Health now that the World Health Organisation has declared Zika as an international public health emergency implemented to better protect (a) what are the additional measures Singaporeans against Zika; and (b) whether there are inter-Ministry collaborations to prevent and control the spread of Zika here.

*19.
*19.

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for Health whether the Ministry will consider (i) testing blood samples from travellers coming in from areas with ongoing Zika outbreaks and (ii) requiring blood donors who have travelled to affected countries to wait at least 28 days before allowing them to donate· blood, as advised by the World Health Organisation and implemented in Hong Kong, Canada and Britain.

*20.
*20.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether PUB will expedite the repairs or replacement of damaged or very old drains so that water stagnation will be minimised and mosquito breeding places can be reduced.

*21.
*21.

Mr Yee Chia Hsing: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources as mosquitoes may build up their resistance to the same type of chemical being used consistently, whether the · alternating of chemicals is currently practised in fogging and, if not, whether the Ministry will review the current practice of fogging.

*22.
*22.

Mr David Ong Kim Huat: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of rental applications received under the Public Rental Scheme over the past year and how many of these applications are under the Joint Singles Scheme; and (b) how many complaints has the HDB received of disputes among residents under the Joint Singles Scheme in the past two years.

*23.
*23.

Dr Iotan Azura Mokhtar: To ask the Minister for National Development whether HDB will consider implementing a pilot scheme for rental flats where single tenants are allowed to rent a smaller rental flat instead of requiring a minimum of two co-tenants.

No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 5 *24.


Dr Iotan Azura Mokhtar: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) how many non-permanent resident/non-citizen widows/widowers with Singaporean children are currently renting a HOB flat; and (b) what are the available housing options for single mothers or fathers with Singaporean children.

*25.
*25.

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for Transport in view of the recent oil spills on our roads caused by at least four accidents (a) whether the profiles of the drivers involved have any similarities; and (b) what preventive measures can be implemented.

*26.
*26.

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what is the procedure to activate traffic diversions to ease traffic jams when there is a major oil spill or accident on a busy road; (b) how long does it take to despatch the police to activate these diversions; (c) how long does it take to disseminate traffic news to the public to avoid the affected roads; and (d) what is the normal platform used in disseminating this traffic news.

*27.
*27.

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the solving rate for online commercial offences; (b) whether the current legislative powers are sufficient for our law enforcement officers to tackle such cases effectively; and (c) what other measures is the Ministry implementing to improve the situation.

*28.
*28.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what steps is the police taking to address the significant spike in online commercial crime cases; and (b) whether the public education measures taken by the police have been effective.

•"' *29.

Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for Finance (a) in each year since the inception ofthe Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) scheme, how many cases and constituting what percentage of total PIC claims has IRAS investigated, .
or is investigating or pursuing, claw backs of PIC payouts; (b) what is the dollar value of the clawback investigations initiated by IRAS in each year; (c) what are the reasons for the clawbacks; and (d) what is the success rate so far in obtaining the clawbacks.

· *30.
· *30.

Mr Lim Biow ·chuan: To ask the Minister for Finance what actions are taken by the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) to protect companies or businesses from being misled or deceived into paying for registration services purportedly rendered by ACRA or its related agencies.

No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 6 *31.


Mr Zainal Sa pari: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what has been the utilisation of ActiveSG$100 since its launch in 2014; (b) whether the Ministry has intentions to top up the amount to encourage Singaporeans to lead active lifestyles; and (c) whether a special concession for Pioneer Generation cardholders can be allowed for them to use sports facilities for free.

*32.
*32.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether there are plans by the Ministry to (i) preserve our unique local food recipes and (ii) organise more food trails in the Singapore heartlands.

*33.

Mr David Ong Kim Huat: To ask the Minister for Defence whether the recent enhancement to the NS IPPT system has improved the passing rate of the IPPT test for NSmen on their first attempt.

*34.
*34.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) whether the Ministry can include the topic of tripartism, in particular the history and importance of strong tripartite relations to Singapore, in the social studies curriculum at the secondary school level.

*35.
*35.

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) what measures are being taken to foster an ethics-based education system in Singapore centred on values and character development and not just academic achievements.

*36.
*36.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Health (a) what are the current projections in the rate of change in doctor-to-population and nurse-to population ratios over the next five years; (b) what targets are in place to improve the doctor-to-population and nurse-to-population ratios over the next five years; (c) how does the Ministry intend to meet these targets; and (d) what are the fallback options should the Ministry be unable to meet these targets.

*37.
*37.

Ms Tin Pei Ling: To ask the Minister for Health why are patients discharged in the evening or late night in restructured hospitals and whether flexibility can be given to elderly patients who have little familial support or live in elderly homes so that they can be discharged in the daytime or at a time when help is available.

*38.
*38.

Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Minister for Manpower what has been the impact ofrecent CPF changes on the number and amount ofCPF top-ups that CPF members can make to (i) their own CPF accounts and (ii) their family members' CPF accounts.

I , I :!

'i '' No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 7 *39.


Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) how many cyclists have been booked for errant or dangerous cycling offences in the past two years; (b) how many complaints have been lodged against errant cyclists in the past year; and (c) how many participants have undergone the Safe Cycling Clinic for Youth since its launch in 2014.

*40.
*40.

Ms Sun Xueling: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what is the number of incidents of cyclists colliding into pedestrians on footpaths in 2015; (b) what are the penalties meted out; and (c) how many complaints have been received in 2015 on near misses between cyclists and pedestrians on footpaths.

*41.
*41.

Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether he can provide an update on the 'serious licensing irregularities' discovered at the Singapore Rifle Association and Singapore Gun Club respectively in light of the current security environment; and (b) whether any firearms have been found missing or illegally removed from the armouries of these clubs.

*42.
*42.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether HDB will allow second or third-time buyers ofHDB flats to take HDB loans if they cannot qualify to borrow from the banks; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider reviewing this policy to help this group.

*43.
*43.

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling: To ask the Minister for National Development how does the Ministry balance the sale of land parcels to private developers around major MRT interchange stations and the management of traffic flow when all developments are ready for occupation.

*44.
*44.

Ms Sun Xueling: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) in 2015, how many applications have been received for additional · childcare subsidies from non-working mothers and how many applications have been approved; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider liberalising the qualifying criteria for additional childcare subsidies for non-working mothers, for instance those who have to care for multiple children and the elderly at home.

*45.
*45.

Ms Tin Pei Ling: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what help is available to support retrenched workers and their families in an economic downturn; (b) how quickly can help be given; and (c) whether ·there is sufficient capacity to cope with an increase in social welfare recipients, especially in an economic downturn. )

t i d y n n 1e at ly No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 8 *46.


Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider adjusting the Vehicle Entry Permit Fee, toll charges or other related fees given that the Malaysian Government has decided to impose RM20 on Singapore-registered vehicles entering Malaysia at the Causeway and Second Link.

*47.
*47.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) whether the present number of speed limit signs on all our roads are sufficient; (b) whether the distance interval between each sign is adequate for motorists; and (c) whether there is a plan to increase the speed limit signs in view of the speed limit monitors/cameras to be installed.

*48.
*48.

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources what preventive measures are in place to ensure that essential services are not affected by flash floods.

*49.

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources whether controls are in place to monitor performance of contractors managing maintenance works in private estates as there is no equivalent like Town Councils to ensure maintenance works are conducted.

*50.
*50.

Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Prime Minister whether there has been a gradual easing of individual indebtedness as a result of MAS's imposition of the aggregated borrowing limit of 12 months' income.

*51.

Dr Tan Wu Meng: To ask the Prime Minister what are the measures taken by MAS to ensure that retail banks have adequate provisions of automated teller machines (A TM) in HOB precincts so that residents need not walk significant distances to find an ATM.

*52.
*52.

Mr Chen Show Mao: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) what are the take-up rates of the schemes aimed at encouraging SMEs to hire fresh graduates and interns such as the SME Talent Programme and SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme.

*53.
*53.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) what is the projected number of tourist arrivals upon the opening of Changi Airport Terminal 4 and what is the number of hotel rooms that will be opened to meet the projected number of arrivals.

*54.
*54.

Mr Zainal Sapari: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) what steps are in place to educate students from Institutes of Technical Education, polytechnics and universities, who work as part-timers during their school holidays or after school hours, on their employment rights so that they are not disadvantaged by their employers.

No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 9 *55.


Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (a) how many allied educators are currently employed in primary and secondary schools; (b) what is the average, highest and lowest number employed respectively; and (c) how many of these educators are trained in handling students with special needs.

*56.
*56.

Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar: To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the current level of physical activity of the population according to age groups; (b) whether the proportion of overweight children in our schools is currently on the decline or rise; and (c) whether there are studies or Ministry-led initiatives to monitor the dietary habits, physical activity and healthy weight range of our children and youth.

*57.
*57.

Dr Chia Shi-Lu: To ask the Minister for Health if he can provide an update on our disease surveillance programmes and the challenges and constraints involved in implementing them in our clinics and hospitals.

*58.
*58.

Mr Ang Hin Kee: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the plans to attract more Singaporeans to join the Singapore Police Force (SPF); (b) what is the status of the Home Team's re-employment efforts; and (c) whether the SPF plans to assign more non-policing activities to civilian officers and allow uniformed officers to take on more operational roles.

*59.
*59.

Mr Ang Hin Kee: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what has been the utilisation rate and number of users following SCDF's launch of the Save a-Life initiative and myResponder mobile app to enhance emergency response; and (b) whether there are plans to expand the reach to more public and private spaces and to more members of the public who are trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and with using automated external defibrillators.

*60.
*60.

Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) from 2013 to 2015, what is the number of HDB home owners who have been beneficaries of the 'Goodwill Repair Assistance' (GRA) scheme; and (b) whether HDB has received feedback that the shared percentage of 25% of the repair cost required of both the upper-floor and lower-floor units is unfair and unjustifiable for the homeowner living at the lower unit.

J No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 10 *61.


Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the current process for a small business to get an alternative site from HDB or JTC to continue their business if their shop/office is destroyed by fire; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider expediting the process so that the affected businesses can make a quick recovery to resume their business.

*62.
Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) of the more than 900 homeless individuals and families displaced between 2013 and 2015, what are the longest, shortest and average periods of displacement encountered by them; (b) what percentage of these homeless cases has been the outcome of unsuccessful applications for a HDB rental flat; and (c) what are some of the measures that the Ministry has with HDB to flag out potential displacement and homeless cases at the point of application for a rental flat.
*63.
Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) whether there has been any public consultations, educational sessions and/or distribution of information sheets for residents within estates selected for the Silver Zone project prior to the commencement of road works; (b) if there were, how extensive has the consultation process been and, if there wasn't, what are the reasons for not doing so; and (c) whether the Ministry has received any adverse feedback since the implementation of the Silver Zone project and, if so, how does the Ministry intend to address those issues.
*64.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what is the purpose for the road tax disc to be displayed on motor vehicles; and (b) whether the LT A will consider doing away with the paper road tax disc.

*65.
*65.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) how many vehicles have been booked during the past three years for leaving the engine of their stationary vehicles running; (b) what is the duration allowed before the vehicle owner can be penalised; and (c) what is the Ministry doing to raise awareness of this rule to vehicle owners.

*66.
*66.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) how many cases of high-rise littering are reported in 2015; (b) what is the number of resultant injuries and deaths; and (c) whether the current measures to deter high-rise littering are satisfactory.

*67.
*67.

Mr Chen Show Mao: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) what steps are taken to enforce the requirement that all supermarkets and grocery shops maintain accurately calibrated weighing machines at all times.

I I I I 'I , I No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 11 *68.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) given the recent experience of students at Raffles Institution who took the 0 Level examinations, (a) how do schools help students who gain entry under the Direct Schools Admission (Secondary) Exercise (DSA-Sec) to juggle the schools' academic demands and their sporting commitments; and (b) what is the academic track record of students who have joined a secondary school under the DSA-Sec over the past three years.

*69.
*69.

Dr Chia Shi-Lu: To ask the Minister for Health with regard to the National Childhood and Adolescent Immunisation Schedule (a) what the compliance rate for Singaporeans and foreign students, including permanent residents; (b) what measures are taken when parents do not comply; and (c) whether there have been any reported adverse effects caused by the immunisations in the last three years.

is *70.
is *70.

Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether pensioners are paying more or less out-of-pocket expenses on the average for their medical treatments since the implementation of MediShield Life on 1 November 2015; and (b) whether all pensioners have been informed of the free MediShield Life coverage for their spouses.

*71.
*71.

Ms Sun Xueling: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what recourse do residents have apart from calling up the Essential Maintenance Services Unit to repair lifts that constantly break down; and (b) whether maintenance frequencies can be increased for lifts that constantly break down and their performance stability monitored so as to re-establish confidence for users ofthese lifts.

*72.
*72.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for Transport in view of the increasing number of elderly living in Toa Payoh East-Novena who are less mobile and have poorer eyesight whether the Ministry will consider prohibiting the use of electric bicycles on designated pedestrian walks and traffic light crossings in Toa Payoh East-Novena for the safety of the elderly and young children.

*73.
*73.

Mr David Ong Kim Huat: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what has been the take-up rate for the Arts Fund over the last five years; and (b) whether NAC will consider reviewing its funding guidelines, in particular the measurable indicators.

*74.

Ms Tin Pei Ling: To ask the Minister for Transport whether the demand for pilots in Singapore meets the supply of trainees from local pilot academies and what is done to help the trained pilots secure job placements.
t s d f e $ .e te td er ee is tat .

ter .5; he ry) md ;, I No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 12 *75.

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what are the plans for HDB commercial shops that have their 30-year lease expiring in a few years; and (b) what are the long term plans for towns with these commercial shops not partaking in the Revitalisation of Shops (ROS) scheme.
* Members may postpone their Questions to a later sitting day if their Questions are not reached by the end of Question Time.

The postponement forms are available at the Chamber entrances.

To ensure timely notice of such postponements, Members should submit their notices to the Clerk by 2.30 pm.

Questions will be given a written answer if no such notices are received by the Clerk.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS 1.

Minister for Home Affairs: Death of Student.

2.


Acting Minister for Education (Schools): Students Under Investigation.

AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF PUBLIC BUSINESS Introduction of Government Bills 1.

Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade): (President's recommendation to be signified).

Economic Expansion Incentives (Relief from Income Tax) (Amendment) Bill.

2.

Minister for Health: Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Amendment) Bill.

3.
3.

Minister for Social and Family Development: Mental Capacity (Amendment) Bill.

29 FEBRUARY 2016 13 ORDERS OF THE DAY 1.

Women's Charter (Amendment) Bill [Bill No.

6/2016]- (Minister for Social and Family Development)- Second Reading.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Registration ofCriminals (Amendment) Bill [Bill No.

8/2016] -(Minister for Home Affairs) - Second Reading.

Central Provident Fund (Amendment) Bill [Bill No.

4/2016]- (Minister for Manpower)- Second Reading.


Banking (Amendment) Bill [Bill No.

1/2016] - (Prime Minister)- Second Reading.

Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill [Bill No.

2/2016]- (Minister for Finance) - Second Reading.

Income Tax (Amendment) Bill [Bill No.

3/2016]- (Minister for Finance) Second Reading.

Pioneer Generation Fund (Amendment) Bill [Bill No.

5/2016]- (Minister for Finance) - Second Reading.

National Environment Agency (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill [Bill No.
(Minister for the Environment and Water Resources) - Second 7/2016] - Reading.

MEMORANDUM I.

Matter proposed to be raised on the Motion for the Adjournment (Standing Order No.

2(8)(b)): Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan (West Coast) Building a Ready, Resilient and Relevant Workforce in the Financial Sector.

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER 1.


Mr Ang Hin Kee: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what are the traffic diversion plans to handle events of major traffic jams caused by road accidents or incidents; and (b) whether L T A will consider putting mobile columns as road dividers that are similar to the movable potted plants placed along ECP so that traffic diversions and U-tums can be made in such events.

'I I I ·I No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 14 2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.


Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for Transport whether the Government will consider constructing a MR T line to connect the estates of Punggol, Sengkang, Femvale, Buangkok, Yio Chu Kang, Nee Soon and Sembawang.
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) what has been the claims experience of the Dependants' Protection Scheme in the last five years; (b) how many CPF members have opted out of the scheme since its inception and what are their income profiles; (c) whether there are plans to review the scheme so that lower-income Singaporeans are protected in view of its opt-out nature; and (d) whether the scheme can be extended beyond the current age cap of 60 years to 67 years.
Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) as at 31 December 2015, how many people in the labour force are self-employed and working as full-time free lancers; (b) what sectors/industries are they from; and (c) what is their educational breakdown in terms of numbers of those who are (i) diploma holders and (ii) those with qualifications of degree and above.
Mr Ang Hin Kee: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) how many freelancers and self-employed workers are there currently in the workforce; (b) what is the number of freelancers and self-employed workers that make regular contributions to their Medisave accounts; and (c)whether the Work Injury Compensation Act can be extended to workers who are freelancers and self-employed.
Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Manpower whether there will be any additional assistance, besides the $500 SkillsFuture grant, available for retrenched PMETs to re-train and upgrade themselves for re employment.

Mr Chen Show Mao: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) how many complaints of unauthorised salary deductions have been registered every year from 2010 to 2015; and (b) in how many of these cases are the complaints found to have been justified.
Mr Chen Show Mao: To ask the Minister for Manpower (a) from 2011 to 2015, what is.the number of foreigners given Dependant Passes; and (b) what is the number of Dependant Pass holders who are given the Letter of Consent granting them permission to work.

No.7 9.
No.7 9.

29 FEBRUARY 2016 15 Mr Vikram Nair: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the preparations for the National Day Parade's return to the National Stadium and the Government's estimated total expenditure on the National Day Parade 2016.

I I !

10.
I I !

10.

Mr David Ong Kim Huat: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Ministry has entered into discussions with New Zealand on the issue of the teenager holding dual citizenships of Singapore and New Zealand who is seeking exemption from National Service and, if so, what is the progress of these discussions.

11.
11.

Mr David Ong Kim Huat: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Ministry will consider allowing permanent residents to renounce their PR status before the age of 21 years especially if they are not residing in Singapore.

12.
12.

Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) since the Registration of Criminals (Amendment) Act 2005 came into operation, how many persons have had their criminal records rendered spent as of 31 December 2015, with breakdowns by year; and (b) of these persons, how many are Singaporeans.

13.
13.

Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) as of January 2016, what is the number of stateless residents living in Singapore; (b) what is the gender profile of these residents; and (c) what is the number of such residents who are aged 50 and above.

14.
14.

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Law (a) what is the number of persons who applied to the Legal Aid Bureau for legal aid in each year from 2010 to 2015; and (b) what is the number of successful applicants in each of those ye~rs.

15.
15.

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there are plans to offer paediatric and neonatology services for residents living in the northern sector; and (b) if so, whether there is a time frame as to when residents can expect these services to be ready.

0 lt lt 16.
0 lt lt 16.

Miss Cheng Li Hui: To ask the Minister for Health (a) for the last three years, what have· been the percentages and numbers of nursing graduates who remain in the public sector after five years; and (b) what measures are there to retain them in the public sector in terms of their salaries, working hours, career opportunities and social recognition.

No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 16 17.


Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) to date, how much payments has the Government made to the Sports Hub partner per year for building, maintaining, and operating the facility; and (b) what is the estimated total amount that will be paid at the end of the 25 years.

18.
18.

Miss Cheryl Chan Wei Ling: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what has been the efficacy of the Social Service Offices since their inception; (b) what are the top five support schemes provided; and (c) whether there is a stable trend observed in the social assistance and services sought.

19.
19.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many children below the age of 7 years with speech delay, autism and at risk of moderate to severe disabilities are currently receiving and awaiting early intervention services at Government-funded voluntary welfare organisations; and (b) what is the· current waiting time for these early intervention programmes.

20.
20.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many awards under the Open Door Fund have been disbursed each year since the fund was launched; (b) what is the average quantum of the disbursal; and (c) what results have been reported in terms of the number of persons with disabilities hired in cases where the funds have been applied.

21.
21.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for National Development for the past 10 years (a) what has been the change in (i) average income per household and (ii) per capita income for each housing type of 2-room, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room or more in public, private and landed properties; and (b) what has been the average consumption of public utilities (water and electricity) for each housing type.

22.
22.

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the progress of HDB's study on implementing reverse mortgages for HDB flats; (b) what are the benefits of this mortgage scheme over the current HDB Lease Buyback Scheme; and (c) whether HDB will consider allowing owners to make use of reverse mortgages on a case-by case basis especially for those who find this more suited for their needs.

• I 23.
• I 23.

Mr Christopher de Souza: To ask for National Development whether he will consider reviewing the property cooling measures by removing the Additional Buyers Stamp Duty (ABSD) for Singaporeans but retaining the ABSD for foreigners.

the Minister No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 17 24.


Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) how many flats have yet to be announced for upgrading under the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) for each Town Council; and (b) whether HDB is on track to complete the announcement of all eligible flats for HIP by 2018.

25.
25.

Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Minister for National Development how many flats are eligible for the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) for each Town Council and whether HDB plans to increase the tempo of this programme.

26.
26.

Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) from 2013 to 2015, how many applications have been made by homeless Singaporeans for a flat under (i) HDB's public rental scheme and (ii) HDB's interim rental housing scheme; (b) how many of such applications are successful; and (c) what follow-up measures are being put in place to ensure that unsuccessful applicants have a roof over their heads.

I I !

27.
I I !

27.

Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of rental flats that are presently made available under HDB's Interim Rental Housing Scheme (IRH); (b) how IRH scheme accommodate; and many (c) whether the present number of rental flats is adequate to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society has a roof over their heads.

families can the existing 28.


Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Minister for National Development as of January 2016, what is the number of stateless people who are living in public rental flats.

29.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) if he will provide an update on the Ministry's pilot MOE Kindergarten project and the response to the Ministry's recruitment of pre-school educators.

30.
30.

Mr Zainal Sapari: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (a) what is the number of students in 2015 who are eligible for the Edusave Merit Award but who did not qualify because they exceeded the income eligibility criteria; and (b) whether the Ministry can consider giving these certificates to the students to affirm their achievements for being in the top 25% of the cohort stream.

31.
31.

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (a) how many student care places are currently available at schools; (b) how many places are available at places outside of schools; (c) what is the mean and median waiting list for student care places; and (d) what are the Ministry's plans to gauge demand and adapt supply to fit demand in future.

No.7 29 FEBRUARY 2016 18 32.


Dr Lim Wee Kiak: To ask the Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) for the past five years (a) how many junior college studel).ts do not go on to universities after their graduation; and (b) of these students, how many are male students who do not go on to universities after completing their national service.