Written question asked by Lord Bradshaw (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Earl Attlee (Conservative) on Wednesday, 20 July 2011.

Railways: Train Design

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, following the award of the new intercity trains contract to Hitachi, how many jobs created (a) in Newton Aycliffe, and (b) overseas, will be for (1) skilled workers involved in designing and building trains, and (2) assembly and servicing workers.

Answer: Agility Trains, a consortium of Hitachi and John Laing, remains preferred bidder for the Intercity Express Programme contract. The assembly and maintenance of the new trains will be undertaken in the UK. Hitachi has suggested that at least 500 skilled jobs will be created at the company's proposed new manufacturing and assembly facility in Newton Aycliffe, and many thousands more will be safeguarded in the associated maintenance work and wider supply chain. The company has said that it intends to use local suppliers where possible. It has not identified the number of additional jobs that would be created abroad as a result of the contract.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 11090; 729 c339WA
Session: 2010-12
Subjects: Job creation Manufacturing industries Procurement Trains Skilled workers Agility Trains Newton Aycliffe
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk