To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent assessment she has made of the reliability of Reading’s Class 458 train coach units; and if she will make a statement. (176781)

The miles per casualty (moving annual average) in the period prior to the start of Stagecoach South Western Trains 07/11 (January 2007) for the Class 458s was 14,817 with six units in service.

The miles per casualty (moving annual average) in the latest period available 08/04 (June/July 2007) for the Class 458s was 14,613 with 30 units in service.

This demonstrates that the reliability of the units remains steady despite there being more trains diagrams in service and undertaking more mileage.