§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) by what means those merchant banks which offered their services to his Department in connection with the private finance initiative between 2 May and 20 May made themselves known:[1132]
(2) pursuant to his oral answer of 20 May, Official Report, columns 503–04, how many merchant banks contacted his Department to offer their services in connection with the private finance initiative between 2 May and 20 May; [1131]
(3) which merchant banks approached his Department to offer their services in connection with the private finance initiative between 2 May and 20 May. [1133]
§ Alan MilburnSince the 2 May the Minister of State and officials at the Department of Health have met all the principal financiers involved in the two most advanced whole-hospital private finance initiative schemes (those at the Dartford and Gravesham National Health Service Trust and the Norfolk and Norwich Health Care NHS Trust). All these financiers have reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of the private finance initiative and the projects at these two trusts. They also fully support the NHS (Private Finance) Bill, which aims to ensure that NHS trusts have the statutory power to enter into PFI contracts, and the urgent review of the PFI process in the health sector we have announced. This review will seek to identify how the current gridlock can be eliminated and to ensure that much needed schemes are completed quickly. During the review Ministers will listen to the views of all those closely involved with the PFI—from both the public and the private sectors.