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Dept of Health

Answer

Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment his Department has made of the (a) sustainability and environmental impact of its private finance initiative (PFI) projects and (b) effectiveness of the PFI process to deliver environmentally sustainable projects; [181651] (2) what steps he is taking to ensure that private finance initiative projects for which his Department is responsible create the minimum of environmental damage; [181656] (3) what plans he has to make private finance initiative contracts more accountable and transparent in terms of environmental sustainability. [181724] Mr. Hutton: The NHS environmental assessment tool kit (NEAT) is the national health service's response to the Government's objective of a sustainable construction programme. All capital development schemes, whether private finance initiative (PFI) or publicly funded, must submit a NEAT as part of their full business case (FBC). The business case must demonstrate a commitment to meeting the NEAT score rating of "excellent" for a new build or "very good" for a refurbishment scheme. By integrating the design, build and operational aspects into a single financial package, PFI helps to encourage greater efficiency, including energy efficiency, over the whole life of the contract. In the interests of accountability and transparency, all full business cases are published.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

423 c929W; 181651;181656;181724

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Accountability Environment protection Environment Government departments Environmental impact assessment Private finance initiative Sustainable development Department of Health

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk