§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on the use of the private finance initiative by individual hospital trusts for building projects or the reorganisation of health services by health authorities; and what guidance for trusts his Department has published on this matter. [35648]
§ Mr. HoramSo far, 57 schemes have been approved under the private finance initiative worth over £520 million. A further 40 schemes with a capital value of over £1.5 billion are testing private finance options as part of the PFI process.
For the guidance issued for trusts, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Darlington (Mr. Milburn) on 15 January at column 343.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list, for each private finance initiative scheme advertised in the contracts supplement to the European CommissionOfficial Journal, the adviser selected and named to assist potential contractors indicating how each was selected. [35889]
§ Mr. HoramThe information requested is not available centrally. It is a matter for individual trusts to appoint advisers and guidance is available on the selection process.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the list of advisers currently approved to assist potential contractors seeking clarification in relation to private finance initiative schemes advertised in the contracts supplement to theOfficial Journal of the European Commission; if he will specify the arrangements by which such advisers are 24W allowed to collect fees in exchange for supplying pre-qualification documents to contractors; and if he will make a statement. [35892]
§ Mr. HoramThis information is not available centrally. Advisers are appointed on the basis of their experience and relevant expertise. The payment of fees is part of the agreement between contractor and adviser and it is for the individual parties concerned to determine when these payments occur.