§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on how many of her Department's PH contracts Arthur Andersen has been an adviser; and if she will make a statement. [31719]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisIndividual Government Departments are responsible for taking decisions on the goods and services they acquire, whether through the Private Finance Initiative or other procurement routes, taking into account the Government's policy of seeking value for money for the taxpayer. As regards PFI contracts, the public sector208W as a whole has signed hundreds of deals covering the delivery of a range of services, including hospitals, police stations, transport and schools. Many hundreds of firms covering a range of activities will be involved in the delivery of contracted services. In my Department Arthur Anderson has not been used as an adviser on any PFI contracts.