§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) if he will make a statement on the expected savings to public funds from the Private Finance Initiative contracts signed by his Department in 2000–01; [15036]
(2) what Private Finance Initiative contracts have been signed by his Department in the current financial year. [14924]
§ Mr. WillsThe Lord Chancellor's Department has not signed any Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contracts in either of these years. The Department does, however, provide financial support and other assistance to local authority PFI projects for magistrates courts buildings. The contract for the city of Manchester magistrates court. which was signed by Manchester city council in March 2001, is expected to save £3.25 million at today's prices over the 25 year contract. The contract for Derbyshire magistrates courts, which was signed in August 2001 by Derby city council and Derbyshire county council, is expected to save £10.2 million over the 25 year contract, again at today's prices.