Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2020 to Question 52100, who fulfils the role of HS2 independent inspector; when that appointment was made; what procurement method was used in making that appointment; and where the independent inspector's reports are published.

The Independent Assessor of Plant Material role is undertaken through Aecom Infrastructure and Environment Limited. There are a number of qualified individuals that support that contract. The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process and for a period of two years from 23^rd January 2017. The Contract has since been extended until 31^st March 2021. The reports are not published, as their intent is to help provide an independent view of plant quality to help ensure that planting is successful, and are not designed to be a public record of the status of the planting that is taking place.