§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps have been taken to deal with complaints about their working conditions and accommodation from British construction personnel working in the Falkland Islands.
§ Mr. GowThe contractor building the Mount Pleasant airfield — the Laing-Mowlem-Amey Roadstone Construction joint venture—has investigated a number of such complaints. Some have proved to be without foundation. Others have had substance and remedial action is being taken to deal with them. The complaints and more general aspects of conditions on the site were discussed at a meeting between the contractor and the Transport and General Workers Union on 17 February. In view of the pioneering nature of the initial operations at this exposed and isolated site, I believe that the contractor is doing all it can to provide reasonable conditions. Conditions will improve with the progressive completion of the main labour camp from the beginning of March.