Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department made an assessment of the viability of Carillion to deliver on its contractual responsibilities and remain solvent prior to awarding the company a High Speed Two contract in July 2017; and if he will make a statement.

The Department did not award a High Speed Two contract to Carillion in July 2017. A joint venture called CEK JV (comprising Carillion, Eiffage and Kier) was awarded the contract in July 2017. HS2 Ltd undertook due diligence on the CEK Joint Venture prior to the MWCC Award in July. The CEK Joint Venture met the required financial standing criteria. HS2 has carried out additional due diligence and sought re-assurance of both Joint Venture partners, Kier and Eiffage, that they remain committed and capable to deliver the contract. Each company's Boards have both given that assurance and confirmed that they underwrite the performance of each other and have the capacity to deliver the HS2 contract.