To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of his Department’s staff are working on (a) high speed rail development and (b) the reopening of former railway lines and stations as part of their official duties. (226743)

The Department for Transport’s approach to developing transport strategy, set out in the October 2007 White Paper “Towards a Sustainable Transport System”, proceeds from the identification of transport challenges and specific problems to be resolved, rather than by developing specific potential investment options.

The Department’s rail network strategy division is working on this basis, and Network Rail has been invited to examine options for supporting further growth in the longer term, which might include new lines. Network Rail’s new lines study is due to be completed in summer 2009.