To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how many new diesel trains the Secretary of State intends to procure for the new company issuing services on the East Coast Main Line; and when the (a) first and (b) last of these orders are likely to be (i) placed and (ii) delivered. (294049)

[holding answer 19 October 2009]: The Department for Transport does not intend to procure any diesel trains for services on the East Coast Main Line.

However, as part of the Intercity Express Programme, the Department is procuring new electric and bi-mode (electric and diesel) Super Express Trains to operate services on the East Coast and the Great Western Main Line from 2014.

This follows the electrification announcement by the Secretary of State in July 2009. Bi-mode trains utilise the electric wires where available and continue beyond the wires using the diesel engine. An announcement on the placing of orders for Super Express Trains will be made in due course.