§ David WrightTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Local Authority Housing Pathfinder PFI projects. [123335]
§ Keith HillOf the eight Local Authority Housing Pathfinder Private Finance Initiative (PFI) projects originally approved, two have so far signed contracts. Manchester city council and the London borough of Islington both signed contracts in March of this year for the refurbishment of council houses and the provision of housing services. Officials are working with the remaining authorities to ensure that further pathfinder projects are signed between now and March 2004. It has been a long process for those involved, but based on their experience, schemes that follow will be able to proceed at a much quicker pace.