To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the new railway carriages announced by his Department in March will be introduced by the end of each year between 2008 and 2013; and on which routes. (137337)

As we have consistently made clear, it is too early to say where precisely the additional rolling stock will be used. The deployment of the new rolling stock will be agreed with the industry following the publication of the high level output specification and the long-term rail strategy this summer, in accordance with the periodic review timetable set out in the ORR’s advice to Ministers published in February 2007.

The precise phasing of the orders will reflect where crowding relief is most urgently needed; any preparatory platform-lengthening or increase in power supply which may be required to accommodate longer trains; and the capacity of the suppliers of rolling stock.