§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the Wellhouse Trust will be exempted from the private finance initiative rules in raising funds for the new Barnet hospital project; [36980]
(2) what factors underlay his decision regarding capital expenditure by the Wellhouse Trust; and if he will make a statement. [36982]
§ Mr. SackvilleNo. The trust is pursuing private finance initiative procedures for phase 1b of the redevelopment of Barnet general hospital. Phase la is under construction at a cost of £29 million. The new hospital will help to ensure local people have access to comprehensive and high quality acute services.