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Solidarity Demand all PFI Contract Details |
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Solidarity, Scotland’s Socialist Movement today launched a drive to have the financial details of all PFI contracts in Scotland made publicly available.
Following the ruling by Kevin Dunion, Scotland’s Information Commissioner, that NHS Lothian must publish financial details of their PFI contract with Consort Healthcare, Solidarity Co-Convenors Tommy Sheridan and Rosemary Byrne are demanding that all financial details of PFI contracts in Scotland’s public services should be publicly available.
PFI consortiums and NHS Trusts have hidden behind “commercial confidentiality” in the past but this ruling rejects those excuses. In a statement, Dunion said:
“NHS Lothian provided me with virtually no arguments to justify withholding the contract. As a consequence I have ordered the contract must be disclosed.”
Highlands and Islands Solidarity launched the campaign. Regional Organiser Steve Arnott kick-started what will be a national effort by Solidarity branches and regions across the country in the coming weeks:
“We now intend to write to the Council on the basis of this new ruling under freedom of Information and request copies of all contracts on existing and proposed PPP schools and other projects.”
Tommy Sheridan, City Councillor Ruth Black, and party workers in Glasgow are already compiling a list of FOI requests for PFI contracts in the city. Sheridan said:
“In light of Kevin Dunion’s decision we will be requesting the full financial details of what has been a free-for all for private financiers. Billions of pounds of future funds and resources have been wasted while “investors” have walked away with vast profits, and will continue to reap the rewards for decades.”
Rosemary Byrne, former MSP for South of Scotland called on the SNP government to demand publication of all PFI contracts:
“If we need to, we will issue FOI requests for every contract, one by one, however, we believe that this decision means that there is now no reason for NHS Trusts and other public bodies not to include the details of all PFI contracts in annual reports, and to immediately make details of existing contracts publicly available. Alex Salmond should order all of Scotland’s public bodies to open the books now.” |
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