HL Deb 11 February 2003 vol 644 c113WA
Baroness Noakes

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 15 January (WA 45), whether the existence of a private finance initiative contract has any hearing on the prudential borrowing limit to be set for National Health Service foundation trusts; and, if so, how it will be taken into account. [HL1254]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)

Any private finance initiative charges paid by NHS foundation trusts will reduce their ability to service borrowing. Each NHS foundation trust will be able to borrow up to a prudential limit assessed by the independent regulator based on the individual NHS foundation trust's ability to service the borrowing.