Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698846435263.pdf (Singapore)
THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE FIRST SESSION ORDER PAPER TUESDAY, 4 APRIL 2017 No.

45 1.30 pm ·I QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER* *1.

*2.

*3.

*4.
Mr Vikram Nair: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) what is the number of flats in blocks 685 to 690 of Woodlands Town that have reported their floor tiles cracking or popping from the time the flats were constructed to date; (b) what is this figure as a percentage of the total number of flats in the area; (c) what are the causes of these tiles cracking or popping; and (d) whether HDB will take any steps to assist flat owners who continue to experience such popping or cracking tiles in the coming years.
Mr Ang Wei Neng: To ask the Minister for National Development whether URA is (i) reviewing the rule of allowing developers to build large air-con ledges and balconies for non-landed residential properties without them being counted as part of the gross floor area and yet are allowed to be charged to buyers for such space and (ii) making it mandatory to state the floor areas dedicated for balconies, air-con ledges and other outdoor space in the floor plans of such properties during their launches.
Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for Health what are the infrastructure investments that have been implemented or are being implemented to support our social and economic development in the face of an ageing population.
Ms K Thanaletchimi: To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the current success rate of the Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) in the placement and retention of individuals who switch from another industry to the health care industry; and (b) what is the current success rate of individuals in the healthcare industry who have been able to switch to higher-end jobs through the PCP.

*5.
*5.

Ms K Thanaletchimi: To ask the Minister for Health how pervasive is the Adapt and Grow initiative, which helps workers to upgrade skills and adapt to changingjob demands, in the healthcare sector.

.. \ No.

45 4 APRIL2017 2 *6.


Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong: To ask the Minister for Defence given that the Australian government has backed down from compulsory land acquisition in Queensland to provide SAF troops with access to a bigger training area (a) how will SAF training be affected by the reduction in land size; (b) whether Singapore will be proposing any changes to the agreement with Australia; and (c) whether our proposed spending of A$2.25 billion will be reduced as a result.

*7.
*7.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) what funding help is available to persons with disabilities who are pursuing their first degree but who do not qualify for scholarships by the Society for the Physically Disabled or grants due to age.

*8.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Finance whether the Ministry will consider releasing a draft Budget Statement for public · consultation one month before the delivery of the Budget Statement in Parliament.
*9.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) how many Maintenance Record Officers (MROs) have been appointed to date; (b) how many cases of potentially recalcitrant defaulters have they investigated to date; and (c) whether the outcome of MRO investigations have succeeded in identifying cases where maintenance payments have been extracted from defaulters who were able but unwilling to pay and, if so, what is the number of such cases to date.

*10.
*10.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what is the Ministry's position on the practice of taxi operators adopting surge pricing during off-peak hours to reflect market demand; (b) what can it do to prevent overcharging; and (c) how can passengers be given prior information on when the taxi companies are imposing the surge pricing.

*11.
*11.

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) whether the tender for noise barriers for MRT tracks at Khatib station has been awarded; and (b) when will the work commence onsite and when will it be completed.

.. *12.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for Manpower whether the Government will allow more foreign domestic, health care and childcare.

workers into Singapore to meet the needs of an ageing population and .

increasing fertility rates.

No.

45 4 APRIL 2017 3 *13.


Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry can make public the results of all environmental impact assessments or studies done in relation to the development ofTengah; and (b) what are the plans for existing wildlife living in that area.

*14.
*14.

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) how many residents have complained about the free-ranging chickens at Sungei A pi A pi in the last year; (b) how many chickens have been culled at Sungei A pi Api; and (c) whether AVA will consider vaccinating all free ranging chickens against bird flu instead of culling them.

*15.
*15.

Mr Leon Perera: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) whether he can provide an update on the Global Schoolhouse initiative in light of the large number of private school closures in recent years.

*16.
*16.

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for Horne Affairs (a) how many buses, goods vehicles and heavy vehicles have been involved in accidents in the last five years; (b) how many of these accidents have been caused by drivers holding work permits and S-Passes; and (c) what measures are there to help bolster the efforts of our enforcement officers.

*17.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for National Development whether NParks will consider installing more toilets along the park connectors.

*18.
*18.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan: To ask the Minister for Transport whether the Road Opening Coordination Committee can improve its co-ordination among Government agencies to ensure that roads works carried out are minimised so that other road users are not inconvenienced.

* 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 4.00 pm.

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

No.

45 4 APRIL 2017 4 ORDER OF THE DAY AND NOTICE OF MOTION (That marked • is Order of the Day) •1.
ASPIRATIONS OF SINGAPORE WOMEN: Resumption of Debate on Question (3 April2017)- ASPIRATIONS OF SINGAPORE WOMEN: "That this House affirms the familial, social and economic contributions of Singapore women and its support for them to fulfil their family and career aspirations and to be future ready.

"- (Ms Tin Pei Ling).

2 4 • ., 2.
Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah) Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar (Ang Mo Kio) Dr Tan Wu Meng (Jurong) Ms Tin Pei Ling (MacPherson) Mr Vikram Nair (Sembawang): STRENGTHENING SINGAPORE'S FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS: That this House strengthens the fight against drugs by reaffirming Singapore's strong anti-drug stance and calls on the Government to continue (i) applying tough laws to deter the trafficking of drugs into Singapore; (ii) investing in the rehabilitation of drug addicts; and (iii) preventing a drug-tolerant culture from being established in Singapore.
2 4 6 QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER 1.

Mr Gan Thiam Pob: To ask the Prime Minister (a) what is the current population of (i) Singaporeans and permanent residents (ii) foreign workers broken down by the different types of work passes and permits and (iii) tourists and short-term visit pass holders; and (b) what is the projected population of these persons for 2020.

2.
2.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh: To ask the Minister for National Development (a) how many five-year old to ten-year old HDB flats have been sold in the last five years; (b) what are the reasons for these sales; and (c) how many flats have been sold under each of these reasons.

No.45 4APRIL2017 5 3.


Ms Foo Mee Har: To ask the Minister for Education (Schools) under what circumstances will the Ministry consider opening a new primary school at the designated education site next to Tehan Vista to meet the needs of residents staying at Ayer Rajah and West Coast constituencies.