§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) if she will make a statement on the criteria that were used to decide on the recent allocations of PFI/PPP to local authorities; [52325]
(2) what bids were received from Gloucestershire local education authority for access to PFI/PPP funds in the recent round; and what discussions took place between her officials and local authority officers as a result, including debriefing on the bid. [52326]
§ John Healey[holding answer 26 April 2002]: The Department issued guidance to all local education authorities on 31 July 2001 setting out the criteria against which all bids for capital allocations, including PFI credits, would be assessed. Paragraph 2.5.12 of that guidance sets out in some detail the specific criteria for PH bids.
Gloucestershire local education authority submitted a bid for PFI funding in the recent round to replace three secondary schools. A meeting has been arranged between local authority officers and a senior official from the Schools Private Finance Team on 26 April 2002, at which debriefing on the unsuccessful bid will be given.