Give us a fair chance to rebuild iraq - Chidgey

5.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 5th Apr 2004

David Chidgey, Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, is demanding that British firms are given a fair chance to bid for Iraq reconstruction contracts. So far, the vast majority of these massive projects have gone to American firms, without competition.

David Chidgey said:

"While meeting American politicians in the Bush government in Washington earlier in the month, I underlined the complaints from the UK parliament and the disappointment of British companies at the lack of competition in projects to rebuild Iraq.

"The American administrators have recognised that hastily awarding projects to US firms was not in the best interests and has led to investigations by the Pentagon into allegations of overcharging.

Mr Chidgey has raised this issue with Mr O'Brien, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office who acknowledged the importance of UK firms being involved in the reconstruction of Iraq. The Minister, however, was unable to tell Mr Chidgey any details about how many contracts had been awarded, what they where worth, and who had won them. Even more worrying, he was unable to offer any guarantees for the safety of the staff, or for company assets of those firms who did manage to win business in Iraq.

Mr Chidgey said:

"There needs to be a level playing field for the most competitive company to provide the best deal for the Iraqi people. Many British construction companies have huge experience of working in Iraq in the past. They know the problems and the difficulties. The US State Department needs to understand that employing British expertise on contracts fairly won will give them best value for money and the best deal for the future of Iraq.

Mr. Chidgey will be raising these issues at a series of meetings being held in Qatar to discuss democracy and trade reform with Ministers from the Gulf States.

ENDS