§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what amounts, broken down by category, were spent by his Department on private finance initiatives in Northern Ireland prior to his decision to approve the exploration of PFI pilot schemes; and on whose authority such expenditure was incurred. [21435]
§ Dr. ReidI agreed on 3 June 1997 that consultation with the Trades Unions and briefing of interested firms should take place on two PFI pilot schemes in Northern Ireland. Prior to this date the Head of the MOD Private Finance Unit had authorised the placing of a contract with Coopers and Lybrand to advise on PFI in Northern Ireland. I am withholding details of individual contract values under exemption 7 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. In addition the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland authorised the setting up of the nucleus of a PFI team within his Headquarters to undertake the necessary preparatory work. Expenditure of approximately £20,700 on salaries and related costs and approximately £1,350 on travel and subsistence costs was incurred prior to 3 June 1997 by members of the team. Other individuals within Headquarters Northern Ireland and the Private Finance Unit were involved in work on PFI in Northern Ireland as part of their normal responsibilities. Their costs cannot be separately identified.
§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what were the terms of reference for the PFI pilot schemes recently authorised in Northern Ireland. [21437]
§ Dr. ReidThe scope of the first Northern Ireland PFI pilot scheme covers first, construction and facilities management services for 370 new families quarters within the towns of Lisburn, Antrim and Ballymena and the facilities management services for an existing 21 families' quarters in Ballymena; and, secondly, provision of facilities management services for 566 families' quarters in Lisburn. This may involve transfer of the families'422W quarters to the service provider on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. In all cases the service period would be for approximately 25 years. The scope of the second pilot scheme is still being refined but is likely to cover a full range of services for Thiepval Barracks for a period of approximately 25 years. The general requirement, in addition to capital works, is expected to include estate management, serviced accommodation, stores management, motor transport support and maintenance, energy management, office support services, community and support services and leisure facilities management.