Intercity Express Programme

Mrs. Villiers
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the evidential basis is for his statement of 12 February 2009, Official Report, columns 1531-3W, on new trains (investment) that the award of the contract to Agility Trains and Hitachi and granting preferred bidder status to Bombardier in relation to extra carriages on the Stansted Express will safeguard or create 12,500 jobs.

Paul Clark
These figures are based on information given by Agility Trains to the Department of Transport and we believe Agility's analysis to be sound.

The figure is exclusive of any job benefits arising as a result of the announcement of Bombardier's status as Preferred Bidder for extra carriages on Stansted Express.