§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer of 29 March 1995,Official Report, column 702, which further NHS trusts have approached his Department regarding the involvement of private finance in the provision of facilities within their trust; what specific provision within each of these NHS trusts is being considered for private financed initiatives; what companies have been consulted on the possible provision of these facilities in each of the trusts; and what is the value of the services being considered under the private finance initiative for each trust and the current position as regards the formal conclusion of contracts between the NHS trust and the potential investor in the facilities in the case of each NHS trust. [29679]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 21 June 1995]: An exploration of the opportunities under the private finance initiative must be undertaken in relation to all capital projects currently being proposed in the NHS in Scotland. The following is a list of schemes currently in the process of exploration. Within each trust the schemes proposed consist of new clinical facilities and/or equipment. Under the private finance initiative, the trusts will be exploring possibilities for the provision of non-clinical support services in addition to the capital element of the schemes. The value of these services will not be known until proposals come forward from potential private sector partners. Consultation between trusts and private sector companies takes place following the placement of an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Community. At present, no further trusts have reached the stage of consultation, although many are in the process of preparing and placing advertisements. At present, no contracts have been concluded between the trusts listed and potential private sector partners. The 610W Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Hairmyres Hospital and Greater Glasgow Community and Mental Health trusts have all drawn up shortlists of consortia with which a final tendering procedure will be undertaken.