§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he was first made aware that Club Mediterranée was not fulfilling its part of the agreement to build a holiday village on Providenciales on the Turks and Caicos Islands; what action he took when he wrote to Mr. Trigano, chairman of Club Mediterranée, expressing concern at this non-fulfilment; and where and when meetings took place between Ministers or officials from his Department and representatives of Club Mediterranée.
§ Mr. Neil MartenThe end of September 1981.
I first wrote to Mr. Trigano on 5 October 1981 expressing concern at the delay. Following his reply on 5 November I wrote on 16 November asking to be kept informed of progress. At this time Club Mediterranée was in negotiation with a British contractor whose expectation was that a contract would be awarded to them by January 1982. When this did not happen and following a meeting between myself and Mr. Trigano I then wrote again on 23 April advising Mr. Trigano that I was very disturbed that no agreement on the building contract had yet been reached and offered to meet him again.
Despite a reminder I received no reply to this message. In June I asked our embassy in Paris to protest to Club Mediterranée and in July to protest to the French Government. Also in July I asked Mr. Cot, the French Minister for Development and Co-operation to intervene. In August I warned Mr. Trigano of the possible legal consequences. In September I wrote yet again to Mr. Trigano inquiring whether Club Mediterranée would honour its obligations or offer compensation.
Officials met representatives of Club Mediterranée in Paris in November 1980 and in London in July 1981. I and my officials met Mr. Trigano and representatives of Club Mediterranée with the Governor and Chief Minister of the Turks and Caicos Islands in London in March 1982 and officials from our embassy in Paris met Club Mediterranée in Paris in June and August 1982.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish his correspondence with Club Mediterranée relating to the holiday village progress on Providenciales.
§ Mr. Neil MartenI will consider providing copies of the correspondence to the Sub-Committee on Overseas Development of the Foreign Affairs Committee when there is no danger of prejudicing negotiations between Club Mediterranée and potential contractors, and subject to the normal considerations of commercial confidentiality.