To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions his Department had with the rolling stock companies on procurement in advance of his decision to create Diesel Trains Limited. (263618)

We are in regular dialogue with the rolling stock companies. Officials discussed the proposal to create Diesel Trains Limited with each of the rolling stock companies prior to the company's incorporation on 25 February.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for how many years Diesel Trains Limited is expected to be publicly-owned. (263619)

The Department for Transport will be inviting the market to bid either for the company or for the assets and related contracts within it, and to take on the ownership and leasing of the trains. We wish to commence this process as soon as reasonably practicable.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had on the merits of Diesel Trains Limited being used to procure rolling stock in addition to the 120 diesel multiple units currently planned. (263620)

Diesel Trains Limited has been incorporated to purchase 202 diesel multiple unit vehicles. It is not anticipated at this time that the company will purchase other rolling stock.