Debated in Parliament on 21 Oct 2013.
Mr David Ong asked the Minister for National Development whether there are plans to allow Singapore Citizens with foreign spouses who are neither Singapore Citizens nor Permanent Residents to buy new HDB BTO flats given that the family nucleus criterion is met.
Mdm Speaker, Singapore Citizens with foreign spouses can qualify for Build-To-Order
Page: 26
(BTO) flats, if they have Singapore Citizen children. Those without children can apply to buy a 2-room BTO flat in the non-mature estates, if they meet the age and income criteria and are HDB first-timers.
I thank the Minister for the reply. My follow-up question is that the current non-citizen spouse scheme has an age restriction of 35 years and they can only buy a 2-room BTO flat. This appears as a prejudice against the younger Singaporean citizens who are married to foreign spouses. Some may be facing pending approval for their application for Long-Term Visit Pass, Permanent Resident or Singapore Citizenship. I think we have now about 8,900 marriages involving such family units in 2011. So, my question is whether the Ministry can review this policy and make it more pro-family so that such younger family units can not only own a BTO flat but perhaps a 3-room flat, so that they can start their family earlier. This is a small step to achieving our bigger national objective of increasing the fertility rate.
Madam, we are always pro-family. Once they have Singapore Citizen children, the age limit of 35 years does not apply. Of course, for those without children yet, the spouse can apply to become a PR or even become a citizen.
PAPERCUTS