Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to assess socio-economic weighting in future rolling stock procurement.

The Government welcomes the investment in the UK through the awarding of rolling stock contracts by franchised train operators to UK based manufacturers. Through the Rail Sector Deal government is working with industry to promote procurement practices that support an innovative, highly-skilled, and productive British rail supply chain.

The William’s Rail Review will, however, consider rail franchising as part of the root and branch review of the railway to ensure that rail delivers benefits for passengers and taxpayers.