NEWPORT East's AM says it is time to look again at Public Finance Initiative (PFI) schemes for public projects.

John Griffiths says he is frustrated by the delays in replacing the dilapidated Durham Road Infant and Junior Schools.

Yesterday the Argus reported how Newport City Council had admitted that talks with a private developer had collapsed.

Council leader Sir Harry Jones said the authority's "only option" to rebuild the school had been to use PFI.

Because of the rules governing negotiations with business details had to be kept secret raising questions about the accountability of PFI deals.

Sir Harry Jones told a full council meeting: "I don't know how many times I have felt embarrassed at my inability to give a straight-forward answer."

Mr Griffiths said: "There are particular problems over confidentiality when local authorities negotiate these deals with the private sector.

"As more public buildings are built by PFI numerous problems are emerging, the time has come to look at private funding for public projects.

"The Labour Asse-mbly government said we should look at the practicalities of each PFI project and not be dogmatic about it. "I plan to table a question on the issue to Sue Essex, the Assembly minister responsible next week."

But 15 years after being designated a "priority rebuild" the Durham Road schools have not yet been helped by the PFI scheme.

Mr Griffiths said: "I think there is a real need for urgency on this issue. "New school buildings have been badly needed for a long time and there are increasing health and safety issues at Durham Road."

The school's governing board have always maintained that it would be better if the rebuild was funded entirely by the public sector. Chairman Ken Goodger told the Argus: "I don't believe the council ever wanted to use PFI, central government insisted that was the only way and once you start down that route you have to exhaust it."

A spokeswoman for Newport City Council said negotiations were under way with a new contractor.