HC Deb 13 February 1996 vol 271 c555W
22. Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS capital projects to be funded through the private finance initiative. [13325]

Mr. Horam

Patients will benefit from private finance initiative projects which will bring improvements to national health service hospitals up and down the country. The NHS has so far seen schemes worth over £200 million approved. The momentum for PFI is increasing, pushing up the quality of patient care all the time.

27. Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many projects for new community hospitals have succeeded in attracting private capital under the private finance initiative; and how many projects for such hospitals are currently being held up awaiting a determination as to whether any such private finance may be available. [13330]

Mr. Horam

I have previously given information on private finance initiative projects which have been approved by the National Health Service Executive for England, and I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 15 January 1996,Official Report, column 343. If, under the PFI, the private sector can improve health care facilities for the benefit of NHS patients and make the NHS's procurement of facilities more cost-effective, then this possibility must be investigated. However, we do not hold centrally the information requested.