To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, on new trains (investment), where the assembly facility for the new rolling stock for the East Coast and Great Western main lines will be located; and whether it will be located in an area which attracts Government development grants. (260009)

Agility Trains has indicated that the facility will be located in either Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Gateshead or Sheffield. Government grants are given out according to exacting criteria and Agility Trains will need to speak to the appropriate Regional Development Agency and to UK Trade and Investments in order to ascertain their ability to attract this type of support.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, on new trains (investment), how the 2,500 new direct jobs relating to the contract to supply new rolling stock for the East Coast and Great Western main lines will be allocated in terms of (a) function and (b) location. (260010)

The following information has been provided by Agility Trains.

300 staff will be employed in the UK developing the six new manufacturing/maintenance facilities. In addition, there will be 200 UK jobs created in the design, supplier management, testing and commissioning of the trains; 500 jobs with major UK suppliers; 1,000 jobs will be distributed around the new and existing train maintenance and servicing centres; and up to 500 new jobs created in the UK Hitachi manufacturing facility.

Agility anticipates that the total of 2,500 jobs will be spread throughout the UK, which will lead to a total of 12,500 jobs created or safeguarded.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, on new trains (investment), where the design and engineering work to be carried out by Agility Trains for the new rolling stock for the East Coast and Great Western main lines is to be carried out in the first three years of the contract. (260012)

Agility Trains expects the design and engineering work in the first three years of the contract to be split between the UK and Japan, with 50 UK-based design positions created from the point of contract award.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, on new trains (investment), what percentage of new trains for the East Coast and Great Western main lines will be built in Japan by (a) value and (b) component. (260013)

Approximately the first 70 of the 1,400 vehicles will be built in Japan. This equates to 5 per cent. of the total. Agility is committed to spending nearly three quarters of the value of the order in the UK, and is currently in active discussions with 20 high-quality UK suppliers. As no contracts have yet been signed, the Department for Transport cannot provide a split by supplier value or component at this stage.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3, on new trains (investment), whether he has estimated the level of carbon dioxide emissions likely to result from shipping the first 70 cars of rolling stock from Japan to the UK for the East Coast and Great Western main lines. (260016)

No assessment has been made of carbon emissions likely to result from shipping the first 70 cars from Japan. Shipping is acknowledged as the most economical and environmentally friendly way of relocating goods worldwide, and the Government are committed to making the shipping sector even more environmentally friendly.