HC Deb 07 June 1996 vol 278 cc587-8W
Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the stage reached for the planned private finance initiatives for each of the proposed new hospitals in(a) Norfolk and Norwich, (b) Amersham, (c) Carlisle, (d) Swindon, (e) north Durham, (f) Bishop Auckland, (g) the Royal London hospital and (h) St. Thomas's hospital. [31876]

Mr. Horam

Full business cases for Norfolk and Norwich, Amersham, and Swindon have been approved, and the full business case for Carlisle is currently being considered for approval. Outline business cases for the remaining schemes have been approved. At north Durham and Bishop Auckland, the trusts concerned have identified preferred bidders and are preparing full business cases. At the Royal London hospital and St. Thomas's hospital, the trusts concerned have prepared shortlists from which they will identify their preferred bidder.

Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will publish the terms of the proposed private finance initiatives for the proposed new hospitals in(a) Norfolk and Norwich, (b) Amersham, (c) Carlisle, (d) Swindon, (e) north Durham, (f) Bishop Auckland, (g) the Royal London hospital and (h) St. Thomas's hospital; [31880]

(2) what is the length of repayment periods for the proposed private finance initiatives for the proposed new hospitals in (a) Norfolk and Norwich, (b) Amersham, (c) Carlisle, (d) Swindon, (e) north Durham and (f) Bishop Auckland; [31879]

(3) what is the repayment period for the proposed private finance initiatives for the Royal London hospital and St. Thomas's hospital. [31877]

Mr. Horam

The contract terms in these private finance initiative projects are being negotiated between the trusts and their private sector partners. A privately financed solution is acceptable only if it offers better value for money overall than a publicly funded alternative.

Ms Harman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much is being sought through the private finance initiative for the proposed new hospitals in(a) Norfolk and Norwich, (b) Amersham, (c) Carlisle, (d) Swindon, (e) north Durham, (f) Bishop Auckland, (g) the Royal London hospital and (h) St. Thomas's hospital. [31878]

Mr. Horam

The capital values of private finance initiative schemes approved in the full business cases for the following hospitals are:

£ million
Norfolk and Norwich 170
South Buckinghamshire NHS trust, which includes:
Amersham general hospital 38
Swindon 90

The other hospitals mentioned in the question are in the process of negotiation with private sector partners or potential private sector partners and the total value of any proposed scheme is part of the negotiating process.