§ Mr. SalterTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the planning process for the provision of educational facilities on the Springvale site. [19300]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe Government welcome the close collaboration between the University of Ulster and the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education which has brought forward consideration of new approaches to joint further and higher education provision at Springvale. These considerations reflect both the recommendations of the recent Dearing Report and local circumstances. They are currently subject to economic appraisal, the findings of which the Government await with interest. Any decision will take account of value for money, affordability and the potential attractiveness as a PFI project.