§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by how much Government spending has changed in 1994–95 as a result of the private finance initiative; what is the estimated effect in 1995–96; how many jobs 711W are to be created by schemes approved to date under the initiative and how many have been lost as a consequence in the public sector; and what is the forecast of transfer of employment from public to private sector over the last five years because of the initiative. [30829]
§ Sir John WheelerPlanned Government spending has not changed as a result of the private finance initiative in either 1994–95 or 1995–96. Information on jobs created or lost in the public sector as a consequence of the PFI is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many schemes and to what value have been approved in 1994–95 under the private finance initiative; what are the estimates for the current financial year; how many schemes are currently being considered and at what value; for how long have they been considered, and how many have been in the assessment process for over(a) six months and (b) 12 months; and what was the average length of time taken to assess schemes so far approved. [30828]
§ Sir John WheelerNo schemes were approved for 1994–95. A number of areas, including two pilot projects covering sewage treatment plants in the Water Executive with an estimated value of £20 million to £25 million are under consideration in Northern Ireland. It is too early, however, to put a total value on these projects. On average, these schemes have been under consideration for 12 months.