HC Deb 13 March 1997 vol 292 c295W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what decision has been reached concerning funding by the private finance initiative for the Caste Hill site in Bolton; and if she will make a statement. [19015]

Mr. Robin Squire

Bolton local education authority is assessing the feasibility of using the private finance initiative to take forward a project to build a replacement primary school and community facilities on the Castle Hill site. It is for the authority to decide whether the PFI offers the best value for money for the project.

I am encouraged by the amount of interest that has been shown by local education authorities in the PFI to date. There are currently 15 pathfinder projects across the schools sector, including LEA, grant-maintained and voluntary-aided schools. There is a wide range of projects: examples include replacement secondary and primary schools and grouped projects for catering, information technology equipment and energy management facilities.