To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 2 November (WA 25) indicating that diesel trains will be released to community rail lines in the medium term, why they cancelled the plan to order 200 new diesel trains; and what shorter term solutions they envisage. [HL6268]

On 23 July the Government announced a major £1.1 billion programme of electrification on the Great Western Main Line between London and Swansea, and on the line between Liverpool and Manchester via Newton-le-Willows. This electrification programme radically affects the requirements for rolling stock over the next decade.

There will be far less need for diesel trains and a greater requirement for electric trains. In particular, the previously planned procurement by the Government of new diesel trains has now been superseded. Shorter term solutions will include the redeployment of existing rolling stock within and between train operators. Accordingly, we will publish a new rolling stock plan in the autumn, taking account of the changed circumstances and setting out a revised strategy.