§ 15. Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new hospitals or hospital extensions have been considered under the private finance initiative; for how many of these private finance has been forthcoming; and what is his estimate of the average delay caused for those hospitals considered under the private finance initiative but which subsequently go ahead on the basis of public funds alone. [14741]
§ Mr. HoramFull business cases recommending the use of private finance have been submitted for the provision of 25 new hospitals or hospital extensions each with a capital value of more than £1 million. Fourteen of these private finance schemes have reached contract signature. None of these 25 new hospitals or hospital extensions has subsequently gone ahead on the basis of public funding alone.