§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment why the Property Services Agency did not ensure that Shepherd Construction advised the trade unions concerned (a) that it had secured the contracts for the young offenders establishment at Appleton Thorn and 312W (b) of the names of its sub-contractors; and if he will ensure (i) that Shepherd Construction and its subcontractors observe the Fair Wages Resolution in repect of wages, hours and conditions of employment, (ii) that the sub-contractors do not use labour-only sub-contract labour and (iii) that the requirements relating to the use of asbestos are observed.
§ Sir George YoungThe contractor has the full responsibility under the contract for making all necessary site arrangements and agreements to ensure that he can meet his contractual commitment in terms of both time and cost. The Property Services Agency does not seek to detract from that responsibility by becoming involved in such matters.
The contract contains a fair wages condition; any complaint made to the Property Services Agency would, in line with normal practice, be passed to the Department of Employment for its consideration.
Whilst the Property Services Agency when considering the admission of firms to its approved list takes into account any available information about difficulties the firm may have encountered as a result of non-adherence to the declaration of intent on direct employment contained in the working rules of the national joint council for the building industry, activities on particular sites are considered to be adequately controlled by the Inland Revenue's tax deduction scheme.
The contract requires the contractor to comply with all enactments, regulations and working rules relating to safety, health and welfare and in particular with the Asbestos Regulations SI 1969 No. 690 during cutting and drilling operations. Any failure to so comply would be a matter for investigation by the inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive.