§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list the policy changes which will arise from the final agreement in respect of each scheme agreed under the private finance initiative. [3408]
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£ million 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 Royal Armouries, Leeds 1.5 2.0 3.0 6.0 6.0 1.5 Hampton Court catering — — 0.3 1+0.17 Positive annual return expected Dell Restaurant, Regents Park — — — 0.14 Positive annual return expected Lido, Hyde Park — — — 0.3 Positive annual return expected Car Parking, Regents Park and Hyde Park — — — +0.275 Positive annual return expected British Library IT equipment — — — — — — 1 Positive figures indicate that projects generate income rather than requiring continuing revenue support.
§ Mr. SproatThe agreement of schemes under the private finance initiative does not result in changes to the policy of the Government on the PFI. Agreed schemes do, however, represent the application of the PFI policy and offer the opportunity to refine further the process of implementation. The lessons learnt are set out in the publication "Private Opportunity, Public Benefit". This is published jointly by the Treasury and the private finance panel, and a copy is available in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage how much capital expenditure is forecast to be included in the private finance initiative for the current financial year and the next five financial years. [3829]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 6 December 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to table 6.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report, 1996–97", which was laid before the House on 28 November 1995.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list for each scheme so far agreed under the private finance initiative(a) capital and (b) revenue costs to public funds (i) under the PFI and (ii) estimated to have been incurred had the scheme been funded wholly within the public sector. [3813]
§ Mr. Sproat[holding answer 6 December 1995]: The central Government contributions to the capital costs of projects so far agreed under the private finance initiative are as follows:
£ million Royal Armouries, Leeds 120.0 Hampton Court catering 0.3 Dell Restaurant, Regents Park 0.14 Lido, Hyde Park 0.3 Car Parking, Regents Park and Hyde Park None British Library IT equipment None 1 over financial years 1992–93 to 1997–98. There are no continuing revenue costs. Indeed, projects (2) to (5) above have generated, and will continue to generate, a positive annual return.
All the projects were appraised in the normal way against other options, including wholly public funded alternatives, and represented best value for money.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will list for each scheme so far agreed under the private finance initiative the revenue commitment entered into by the Government for each year until the commitment ceases. [3407]
§ Mr. SproatI refer the hon. Member to my answer of 7 November 1995 at column717 for the value of the initial and continuing public sector contributions to, and returns from, projects so far approved under the private finance initiative. The annual profile of these contributions and returns is as follows:
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§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage on what date her Department first learned about the possible closure ofToday newspaper; and what communications her Department had about this matter with News International. [4556]
§ Mr. SproatMy Department first learned about the possible closure ofToday on Thursday, 16 November. My Department has not discussed any issues raised by the closure with News International.