§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Essex magistrates courts committee will be permitted to specify when embarking on a PFI initiative the broad geographical location and number of court houses it requires from those providing the PFI initiative. [9876]
§ Mr. HoonIt is an important principle of the PFI process that potential providers are given as much freedom as is possible to develop their ideas on how best to meet the operational requirements of the magistrates courts committee. The MCC will be able to indicate the broad geographical areas in which court houses should be located, but as far as is possible should refrain from specifying the number of court houses to be provided.