§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what time limits have been placed on the period of service contracts entered into with those providing hospital buildings under the private finance initiative. [188251
§ Mr. HoramThe period of service contracts entered into with those providing hospital buildings under the private finance initiative is a subject for negotiation between national health service trusts and their potential private sector partners, and will vary from contract to 287W contract and from service to service. The two criteria for approval of NHS private finance initiative contracts are that they should offer best value for money and that they should reduce risks for the NHS by transferring risks to the private sector.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals are currently seeking PFI contracts in England; what estimate he has made of the number of contracts which will have been signed by 30 March(a) 1996 and (b) 1997; and if he will make a statement. [19230]
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on PH contracts in(a) Amersham and High Wycombe, South Buckinghamshire NHS trust, (b) Swindon and (c) North Durham. [19229]
§ Mr. HoramNo. Contracts are currently being negotiated between the trusts and their private sector partners. These are commercially sensitive and confidential.