HC Deb 16 January 1996 vol 269 cc548-9W
22. Sir Thomas Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many private finance initiative schemes he(a) has agreed and (b) is considering. [7513]

Mr. Horam

To ensure that national health service capital projects meet NHS needs as cost-effectively as possible, the option of using private finance, under the Government's private finance initiative, must be considered for every potential capital project. Formulation of plans for projects to meet local needs is the responsibility of NHS trusts and health authorities. So far, 45 PFI schemes have been approved by the NHS executive, with a total capital value of over £160 million. Information on the number of PFI schemes being considered is not available centrally.