Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 16 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 November 2005. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Friday, 20 January 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Private Finance Initiative

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 12 July 2005, Official Report, columns 988–99W, on the private finance initiative (PFI), what the amount of surcharges paid to PFI contractors was in each year to date.

Answer: The payment mechanism in a private finance initiative contract contains a volume element under which the quantity of variable items such as meals or linen provided is directly related to the throughput of patients, so where the volume of services is above those initially stated in the private finance initiative contract, trusts will make additional payments.Detailed information on service volumes from all of the private finance initiative contracts signed to date, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information