To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the costs and benefits of schemes under the Private Finance Initiative. (279984)

HM Treasury's Green Book

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/data_greenbook _guidance.htm

states that all new policies, programmes and projects should be subject to comprehensive assessment, including an appraisal of value for money.

Private finance initiative projects are required further to test value for money using tailored qualitative and quantitative appraisals which must form part of the project's business case

http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ppp_vfm_index.htm.