To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his estimate is of the change in freight train capacity and use on the south Wales line since 1997; and what steps his Department is taking to increase such capacity and use. (118365)

These are operational matters for Network Rail, as the owner and operator of the national rail network. My hon. Friend should contact Network Rail’s Chief Executive for a response to her question:

John Armitt

Chief Executive

Network Rail

40 Melton Street

London NW1 2EE

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans First Great Western has to dispose of Adelante rolling stock; and what plans they have to acquire new rolling stock. (118371)

As part of its franchise proposal First Great Western identified that the Adelante rolling stock would be returned to the lessor in December 2007. To replace this rolling stock First Great Western has taken on lease additional high speed train (HST) sets which have a higher seating capacity. The HST sets are going through a programme of major overhaul and refurbishment which includes re-engineering and reliability improvements.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) locomotives and (b) carriages operated by First Great Western were built before 1980. (118372)

The following number of locomotives and carriages operated by First Great Western were built before 1980.

However, it should be noted that although the HST sets are now around 30 years old they are subject to major investment committed through the franchise agreement to extend the life of the vehicles and locomotives. This will include re-engineering the locomotives and incorporating a reliability package which will improve the service to customers and the impact on the environment as the new engines are more environmentally friendly. The carriages are currently going through a programme of enhancement to improve the internal customer environment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average age is of Mark III carriages used by First Great Western. (118373)

The average age of Mark III carriages used by First Great Western is around 29 years. However taking this in context it should be noted that significant refurbishment has taken place throughout the life of the high speed train (HST) sets. As part of the commitment in the First Great Western franchise agreement, First Great Western is committed to life extension work which includes replacing the locomotive engines with ones which emit less smoke and toxic gases and are more fuel efficient, as well as investment in a reliability package. In terms of the carriages, they are currently undergoing a programme of major enhancement to improve the environment of the interior for passengers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what minimum number of services west of Swansea is stipulated by the First Greater Western franchise; and what consideration his Department has given to increasing the number of west Wales services. (118391)

The service level commitment 2 (‘SLC2’) for the First Great Western franchise is available in the House of Commons Library.

The services to be included in the Greater Western franchise were considered in the ‘Greater Western Franchise—Stakeholder Consultation Document’ published by the Strategic Rail Authority in June 2005.