To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have prepared a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed new high speed rail link from Scotland to London; and, if not, whether and when they plan to do so. [HL5664]

High Speed Two has been asked to help consider the case for high speed rail services from London to Scotland and, as a first stage, the company will report by the end of this year with a detailed proposal for a new line between London and the West Midlands.

High Speed Two will also provide advice on the potential development of a high speed line beyond the West Midlands, at the level of broad “corridors”, in particular (but not exclusively) the potential for the new line to extend to the conurbations of Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland.