§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the date of the latest European development fund contract for construction work; and what is the up-to-date position in this regard.
§ Mr. StanleyThe Community issued its latest text of the draft general conditions for works contracts financed by the European development fund on 12 February 1980 (reference ACP-CEE 2128/80 Annex I) and issued an addendum to this on 19 February 1980 (reference ACP-CEE 2128/80 Annex I Add. 1). These were forwarded as working documents to the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States which were co-signatories to the second ACP-EEC convention signed at Lomé on 31 October 1979, for their consideration.
The ACP States responded on 24 March 1981 with a set of counter proposals which have thereafter been the subject of discussions between expert delegations from EC member States and the Commission. The delegations accepted a number of the provisions proposed by the ACP States in whole or in part and the adoption of certain new provisions proposed by the Commission. Further discussions between the Community and ACP States are in prospect.
§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the proposed position of British advisers and consultants under the draft European development fund contract for construction work; and what changes he is seeking in this respect in his negotiations on the draft.
§ Mr. StanleyThere are three categories of consultant or adviser—the supervisor, the supervisor's representative 55W and the quantity surveyor—contained within the latest draft of the general conditions for works contracts financed by the European development fund, issued by the Council of the European Communities. Where appropriate I would expect the British consulting engineer or architect to be appointed as the supervisor. As defined in the draft conditions, the supervisor would be the
person entrusted by the contracting authority responsible for planning and control over the execution of the project to be implemented".I am not seeking any changes in this respect.