HC Deb 04 November 1997 vol 300 c154W
19. Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State what discussions he has had with the Home Secretary about the use of the private finance initiative to finance new prisons. [12057]

Mr. McLeish

Discussions on this issue are still taking place between officials, including whether the use of private finance would offer value for money where custodial services were provided by the public sector. It is as yet too early to predict the outcome of this work.