Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the (a) top speed and (b) tilting ability of the new Hitachi 805 trains.

The Hitachi-built Class 805 train has a top speed of 125mph (200km/h), which is adequate for use on the West Coast Mainline and in line with the in-service Class 390 Pendolinos. The Class 805 train, unlike the Pendolinos operated by Avanti West Coast, does not tilt. However, there is a cross-industry line speed enhancement programme underway to enable operation at up to 125mph (200km/h) without tilting.