Rolling Stock

Mr. Carmichael
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the 1,000 new carriages in the high level output specification to which he referred in his speech to the rail conference on 14 March 2007 are in addition to any previously existing orders or anticipated orders which provide additional capacity rather than replacing other existing stock; how he expects any additional capacity to be funded; by whom he expects it to be funded; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tom Harris
The 1,000 new carriages will be in addition to any pre-existing orders. It is too early to predict how many of the existing fleet of approximately 11,400 rail carriages will be replaced by 2014. I can, however, reiterate the Government intention to commit to contracting with train operators for 1,000 additional carriages by 2014 to meet the rising demand for rail travel. This will form part of the capacity procured through the rail high level output specification to be published in July and will be in addition to any carriage replacements. The HLOS will be accompanied by a statement of funds available.