Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what funding has been allocated to enabling international passenger services to call at Stratford International station; and what is her latest estimate of when such services could commence.

At the Budget the Chancellor announced that a Business Rates Retention Zone will be developed at Stratford, subject to business case approval, to support development of the area. The Government has committed to work with the Greater London Authority to aim to enable international rail services to stop at Stratford International station. International services using Stratford International station are ultimately a commercial decision for operators therefore I cannot provide an exact estimate.