PQs from Er Dr Lee Bee Wah on 7 to 11 Nov 2016
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked if the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) could be extended to flats built just after 1986. She also asked about clothes pole sockets, as some elderly find it hard to move their clothes poles to outside the window.
Minister Lawrence Wong replied that HIP costs billions of dollars and extension must be considered properly. But the feedback about clothes hanging will be taken into consideration in future upgrading. (Read more)
She also asked MND if they will require mobile base stations before a new building gets its Temporary Occupation Permit. Mr Wong replied that HDB has been working with all stakeholders, including Town Councils, IDA and MNOs (Mobile Network Operators), to study how to expedite the installation of such base stations. MCI and IDA are also considering amendments to the Telecommunications Act to facilitate the use of rooftop space of one building to provide mobile coverage in another building. Given these ongoing efforts, there may not be a need to mandate mobile coverage as a TOP condition for each new building.
She also asked about expansion of courses subsidised by WDA and SkillsFuture credits to include more professional qualifications (answer), liability of owners of electric/ motorised bicycles and vehicles for accident victims’ medical fees (answer) and letting more Singaporeans watch NDP at least once in their lifetime (answer).