asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware that civil engineering consultants to county councils are paid a fee based in whole or part on a percentage of the cost of the scheme on which they are advising rather than wholly on the basis of cost actually incurred by them in performing their consultancy functions; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Civil Engineering Consultants' Fees.
403.
As I indicated in my letter of 5 January 1978 to the Deputy the present method of calculating fees due to consulting engineers for the performance of services in connection with the design and construction of schemes is acceptable in both the public and private sectors and is in fact international practice. The calculation of fees on the basis of costs actually incurred by consulting engineers in performing their consultancy function is normally reserved for work to which it would be difficult to apply a percentage scale such as work and advice in connection with litigation and arbitration.