Written question asked by John Hayes (Conservative) on Wednesday, 21 February 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 23 February 2007. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 February 2007 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

National Physical Laboratory

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what financial losses arose from the failed private finance initiative for the National Physical Laboratory.

Answer: In their report on ““The Termination of the PFI Contract for the National Physical Laboratory”” the National Audit Office stated that the private sector reported a loss of at least £100 million. The delays in the project meant that the Department did not receive the operational benefits of the new building as early as planned but NAO concluded that ultimately the termination sum paid by the Department should represent value for money.

Secondary information