§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he received a request to provide Private Finance Initiative credits for community and leisure use aspects of an educational Private Finance Initiative programme in Newcastle-upon-Tyne; what amount of Private Finance Initiative credits was involved; and when a decision was given to the City of Newcastle-upon-Tyne authorities. [130825]
§ Ms Beverley Hughes[holding answer 17 July 2000]: The first contact with Newcastle City Council about this proposal was in August 1999. A formal outline business case was submitted in February 2000 and supporting information provided on 31 May 2000. This was assessed in preparation for the July endorsement round. Newcastle City Council was informed of the outcome of that assessment on 14 July. Details of the sums involved are a matter for the local authorities.