18.

Last year, I announced that in view of the difficult economic conditions, the GST offset package, consisting of rental and S&C rebates for 1 to 3-room HDB households would be extended for two years until March 2001. I am happy to confirm that the GST offset package will continue to be given this year. The rental and S&C rebates are as follows:

19.

1. Rental Rebates
   For 1-room flats: a rental rebate of $12 per month For 2-room flats: a rental rebate of $8 per month
2. Rebates for S&C Charges
   For 1-room flats: $8 per month For 2-room flats: $7 per month For 3-room flats: $4 per month

The estimated cost of these rebates is $19 million.