Written question asked by Helen Jones (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 December 2004. It was answered by Nigel Griffiths (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 December 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what representations she has received on amending the law on joint and several liability in construction cases in so far as it affects consulting engineers; and what discussions she has had with other departments on this matter; if she will make it her policy to amend the law on joint and several liability in construction cases to ensure that defendants' liability is limited to a fair proportion of the plaintiff's loss, having regard to the relative degree of blame. - (Holding answer 6 December 2004).

Answer: Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what representations she has received on amending the law on joint and several liability in construction cases in so far as it affects consulting engineers; and what discussions she has had with other Departments on this matter; [202303] (2) if she will make it her policy to amend the law on joint and several liability in construction cases to ensure that defendants' liability is limited to a fair proportion of the plaintiff's loss, having regard to the relative degree of blame. [202304] Nigel Griffiths: [holding answer 6 December 2004]: My right hon. Friend has received representations from the Association of Consulting Engineers and individual consulting engineering practices. The Government have no plans to amend the law on joint and several liability in construction cases.

Secondary information