asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the reply of the Minister for Overseas Development to the hon. Member for Basildon of 26 November, Official Report, c. 580, whether he is satisfied that the terms of the agreement between the Turks and Caicos Islands and Club Méditerranée are being observed; whether there is any provision in the contract for the reimbursement of British funds should the contract not be fulfilled; whether work has yet commenced on the holiday village on Providenciales; and if he will make a statement.
It is for the parties to the agreement in question, not the British Government, to satisfy themselves as to whether its terms are being observed or not. I am aware that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government are far from satisfied and are considering legal action. There is no specific provision in the agreement for the reimbursement of British funds should it not be fulfilled. There is, however, provision for either party to the agreement to refer any breach to arbitration, in which event it will be possible for damages arising out of such a breach to be claimed. Work has not yet started on the village.