§ Mr. Weetchasked the Secretary of State for Trade what role British enterprises are playing in the important public sector development programme of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.
§ Mr. John Smith, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 15 December 1978; Vol. 960, c. 569–70], gave the following information:
I am happy to inform the House that on 23 January 1979, at the invitation of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, Her Majesty's Government signed a 262W memorandum of understanding with that Government to provide a framework for establishing United Kingdom participation in a number of important construction projects. At this stage Britain has been invited to implement the construction of the Trincity housing project as well as certain "flatted accommodation" projects at agreed locations: the proposed Hall of Justice: the National Library complex: the proposed financial complex: a Government printery: and parking facilities at agreed sites.
A number of these projects are likely to throw up other opportunities for British firms to make a sophisticated contribution to the development programme of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, particularly where these can provide the opportunity for the transfer of technology to which that Government attach substantial importance under their programme of Government to Government agreements. It is the expectation of both Governments that as the development programme unfolds the memorandum of understanding will prove a suitable instrument to implement further co-operation.
The large programme of construction and property management which will be undertaken by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago may require major developments of administration and of functional expertise within its machinery of government. Her Majesty's Government have undertaken to afford suitable assistance and advice in this respect from their own expert resources.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago also desire to expand and develop their programme of adult education and the memorandum of understanding notes the intention of both Governments to make suitable arrangements for advice and assistance in this area.