§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, by how much Government spending has changed in 1994–95 as a result of the private finance initiative; what is the estimated effect in 1995–96; how many jobs are to be created by schemes approved to date under the initiative and how many have been lost as a consequence in the public sector; and what is the forecast of transfer of employment from public to private sector over the last five years because of the initiative. [30857]
696W
§ Mr. JackThe Ministry's spending in 1994–95 was not affected by the private finance initiative. The position may be similar in 1995–96. No schemes have yet been approved and as a consequence no jobs have been created or lost as a result of the private finance initiative.
§ Mr. BettsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many schemes and to what value have been approved in 1994–95 under the private finance initiative; what are the estimates for the current financial year; how many schemes are currently being considered and at what value; for how long they have been considered and how many have been in the assessment process for over(a) six months and (b) 12 months; and what was the average length of time taken to assess schemes so far approved. [30856]
§ Mr. JackNo schemes have been approved to date under the private finance initiative and it is thought unlikely that any will reach the approval stage in 1995–96.
The whole of the Ministry's capital expenditure is currently being assessed for its possible application to the private finance initiative with eight schemes being considered. An estimate of the value of the schemes is difficult to make as there are often several private finance and other options for each scheme. Two of the schemes under consideration have been in the assessment process for between six and 12 months.