HC Deb 23 July 1984 vol 64 cc523-4W
Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has about the extra costs of constructing squash courts, gymnastic and other recreational facilities for the contractors' work force in the Falklands; and if he will make a statement.

Sir George Young

I have received no representations about these facilities other than the question from the hon. Member which I answered on 23 January, at column405, to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to increase the price originally agreed for the contract for building an airport on the Falkland Islands to take account of increases in the cost of provision of catering facilities for the work force; and if he will make a statement.

Sir George Young

No.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what hospital facilities are available on the Falkland Islands for workers at the airport construction site; how many surgeons and nurses are employed; and what facilities will be available for islanders at this hospital after work on the airport has ceased.

Sir George Young

The contractor provides medical services of a general practice nature at Mount Pleasant and employs a doctor and three nurses. As part of this service, a 10-bed convalescent hospital is due to be completed at the end of August. Additional hospital facilities are available, if required, in Port Stanley. The airfield contract includes provision for the construction of a medical centre which will incorporate the facilities provided for use during the construction period and will be available for military and other personnel who will be stationed at Mount Pleasant in due course and for civilian passengers using the airfield.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he has taken as a result of his consultant's report on the full environmental impact assessment of the Mount Pleasant airfield project.

Mr. Gow

The foreword to the report on the ecological impact of the new Mount Pleasant airfield, which was published on 1 June, sets out the main steps taken by PSA and the contractors to minimise the effects of construction and operation. As a result, the impact of the development on local wildlife and nature conservation values should be negligible. A copy of the report has been placed in the Library. It forms part of a wider environmental impact assessment which is still in progress.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take further steps to protect the colony of 400 gentoo penguins, five miles from the new airport site in the Falklands; and why constructors' employees have been allowed to slaughter gentoo penguins.

Mr. Gow

As a result of the report on the ecological impact of the new airfield, steps have been taken to prevent disturbance to local wildlife including the gentoo penguins. These have worked well and the allegation about the contractor's employees is untrue.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he is satisfied with the performance of stone-crushing equipment shipped to the Falkland Islands for use in connection with the preparation of aggregate for use in the airport contract; if there are any types of rock being so used that they are unable to process satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many stone-crushing machines were shipped to the Falkland Islands for use in connection with the preparation of aggregate for use in the airport contract; how many are currently being used; and if he will make a statement.

Sir George Young

The number and performance of the stone-crushing machines being used for this project are the contractor's responsibility. PSA maintains strict control over, and is satisfied with, the quality of the processed rock which the contractor is using.

Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he gave Laing Mowlem ARC about the incident at the welfare facilities on Mount Pleasant on Saturday 11 February.

Sir George Young

I know of no such incident and have given no advice.