Written question asked by Theresa Villiers (Conservative) on Tuesday, 17 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 March 2009. It was answered by Paul Clark (Labour) on Thursday, 26 March 2009 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Rolling Stock

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-44, on new trains (investment), whether the (a) body shells, (b) engines and (c) bogies for the contract to supply new inter-city express trains are to be manufactured in the UK.

Answer: Agility Trains has said that the body shells for the new trains will initially be made in Japan using Hitachi's friction stir-welding technique. The Department for Transport anticipates that Agility Trains will establish facilities for friction on stir-welding in the UK as soon as practicable following contract award. The company is yet to announce the source country for either the engines or the bogies for the new trains, but has committed to spend 70 per cent. of the Super Express Trains contract value in the UK.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 490 c580W;490 c576W; 265035
Session: 2008-09
Related items: New Trains (Investment)
Thursday, 12 February 2009
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Commons
Subjects: Procurement Rolling stock
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk