§ Mr. TimmsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if the proposal to develop St. Thomas's hospital under the private finance initiative was included in the calculation of the Departmental total in table 5.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report"; what was the value of that proposal; and if he will make a statement on its current status. [13807]
§ Mr. HoramThe figure in table 5.5 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" does not represent a control total—it represents an estimate of the anticipated spend on private finance schemes. In deciding the level of the estimate my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health took account of all private finance initiative schemes being prepared within the national health service including the St. Thomas's scheme. Approval has just been given for the trust to draw up a revised outline business case in the light of changed purchaser requirements.