HC Deb 22 July 2004 vol 424 cc662-3W
John Thurso

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that private finance initiative projects for which his Department is responsible create the minimum of environmental damage. [185721]

Mr. McNulty

Department for Transport projects are evaluated against the Department's "New approach to appraisal" (NATA). NATA provides an integrated approach to appraising environmental, economic and social aspects of transport projects. The same procedures apply to PH projects, which are also subject to NATA appraisals.

Similarly approved PFI projects have to conform to the relevant planning provisions. The scale and nature of Department for Transport PFIs would usually require the Contracting Authority to prepare an environmental impact assessment on the project.

The Department for Transport has jointly published environmental guidance on PFI projects—"Green Public Private Partnerships"—with ODPM, OGC and DEFRA. The guidance note provides practical assistance on environmental aspects of PFI project development, procurement and management.

John Thurso

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of(a) the sustainability and environmental impacts of private finance initiative (PFI) projects and (b) the capacity of the PFI process to deliver environmentally sustainable projects. [185722]

Mr. McNulty

Project design has an important bearing on sustainability and environmental impact. This is reflected in the Department for Transport PFI project appraisal methodology and spending round evaluation criteria.

The "Green Public Private Partnership" guidance note provides practical advice on how the PFI process can be used to deliver environmental benefits. The guidance directs contracting authorities to consider the scope for PFI projects to minimise waste, reduce whole life costs and design flexibility into facilities. The London Underground Power Supply PFI provides a case study of a project designed with tough environmental standards for power station decommissioning and redevelopment, and standards that reduce the level of greenhouse gasses produced.

Quantitative and qualitative assessments of PFI project outcomes will improve, as more projects become operational for a longer time.

John Thurso

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to make private finance initiative contracts more accountable and transparent in terms of environmental sustainability. [185723]

Mr. McNulty

The Department for Transport will consider the accountability and transparency of its PFI programmes when the consultation on new HM Treasury PFI Value for Money guidance has been completed and the guidance issued.