To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities have participated in the private finance initiative credits scheme announced in the Budget 2009 to date; and how many have made applications for participation which are under consideration. (291688)

There have been 37 waste projects which have participated in the Waste Private Finance Initiative (PFI) credits scheme since it began.

The 37 individual projects represent 53 waste disposal authorities working in partnership with 120 local authorities.

A further seven projects (consisting of 16 waste disposal authorities covering 34 local authorities) have applied to participate in the PFI scheme. Their applications are under consideration.

Full details can be found on the DEFRA website:

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/fundinq/pfi/projects.htm