§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what 411W steps his Department has taken to implement the recommendation of the Bates report on the PFI that it should conduct an urgent review into planning procedures. [81122]
§ Mr. RaynsfordIn the light of the conclusions of the Bates report in June 1997, the Department discussed with the Treasury Taskforce and other Departments, the instances that had led to the Report's recommendation. The conclusion reached was that review of the planning system was not required but that my Department would work with other Departments sponsoring PFI projects as necessary to seek to resolve any difficulties that might arise in respect of the planning process. We will keep under review the need for guidance to clarify how PFI schemes can be taken forward efficiently within the existing planning system.