§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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 they have 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. [30846]
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§ Miss WiddecombeNo schemes were approved under the private finance initiative in 1994–95. In the current financial year one scheme has been approved at a value of £2 million and a further five schemes are under consideration at a value of £5.3 million. Full approval of the completed project took over 12 months from the feasibility study to agreement of the contract. All projects currently under consideration have been in the assessment process for over six months.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment 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 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 transfer of employment from public to private sector over the last five years because of the initiative. [30847]
§ Miss WiddecombeI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him today in respect of the private finance initiative. One private finance initiative project has been approved within the Department to date. This project will avoid the need for capital expenditure of £10 million in 1995–96. No jobs will be lost as a consequence in the public sector. I have no information about the implications of the project for the size of the supplier's workforce.