§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many construction workers have been recruited from the United Kingdom for work on the Falklands airport contract at the latest available date.
§ Sir George YoungThe Laing-Mowlem-Amey Roadstone construction joint venture had recruited 166 workers as at 20 October.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is satisfied with the rates of pay and conditions of service of construction workers recruited from the United Kingdom for the Falklands airport contract; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what rates of pay and conditions of service are given to construction workers recruited for the Falklands airport contract; and how they compare with pay and conditions in the United Kingdom.
§ Sir George YoungI am satisfied that the terms and conditions of service are generally fair and reasonable. The precise wage rates and terms offered to prospective employees are a commercial matter for the LaingMowlem-Amey Roadstone construction joint venture.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the contract price of the new Falkland Islands airport; and what qualifications are included in the contract terms to allow for deviations in the price for any reasons.
§ Sir George YoungI have nothing to add to the figures for the cost of the work to be executed under this contract given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 27 June [Vol. 44, c.345.] The terms of the contract allow as usual for the price to be varied in the event of agreed changes in labour rates and in the price of materials; to cover the actual cost of transport, shipping and insurance and if the scope of the work is changed.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what timetable has been set for the various stages of construction of the new Falkland Islands airport; and what is the expected completion date.
§ Sir George YoungThe timetable is as announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 27 June [Vol. 44, c.345.] Work is starting on site this month; the main runway should be usable from April 1985 and the whole airfield complex completed by about February 1986.
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§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what sub-contractors have been appointed by the main contractor for the Falkland Islands airport; and what are the arrangements for monitoring of the progress of construction by the Property Services Agency.
§ Sir George YoungSub-contractors for the project are: Balfour Kirkpatrick Limited for mechanical and electrical services;0
- GEC Diesels Limited for power generation services;
- Capper Neil International Limited for the bulk fuel installation;
- Wyeseplan Limited for the labour camp;
- Hallam Group of Nottingham PLC for RAF living accommodation;
- Kelvin Catering Limited for messing and camp management services.
A combined PSA and consultants team will be on site throughout the construction period to monitor progress, supervise the work and ensure compliance with specifications and contract conditions.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to ensure that people employed on the construction of the Falkland Islands airport are fully protected by legislation in relation to unfair dismissal, health and safety and union membership.
§ Sir George YoungI am satisfied that the terms and conditions of service offered to prospective employees are fair and reasonable in the areas in question and generally.
§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from the Transport and General Workers Union concerning the recruitment, terms and conditions of employment of the construction workers recruited in the United Kingdom for work on the Falklands airport contract; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungNone. These terms and conditions of service are a matter for the contractor, the Laing-Mowlem-Amey Roadstone construction joint venture. I understand that the Transport and General Workers Union is discussing certain aspects with the joint venture today.