MR PAUL FOOT, PRIVATE EYE AND PRIVATE FINANCE INITIATIVES

Early day motion 985, tabled 19 April 2004 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 24 members.

That this House congratulates journalist Paul Foot for his idiot's guide to the use of private finance initiatives to fund public projects, published in issue 1102 of the magazine Private Eye on 19th March; urges all honourable and Right honourable Members to read the damning expose of the true costs of PFI and how the concept has changed for the worse the face of British accountancy and British politics; notes that PFI and Public-Private Partnership projects are more expensive, and will continue to cost taxpayers dearly in years to come; further notes that PFI and PPP do not produce better public services not give value for money with new buildings; and calls on the Government to commission an independent inquiry into the perceived advantages of PFI and PPP and the reality of the disadvantages as set out in the Private Eye special report by Mr Foot, and the financial consequences to the public purse of those projects which have been undertaken by means of a PFI or PPP.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 5, Scottish National Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1.