Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Scottish Government and (b) its agencies on the upgrade of the East Coast Main Line.

The Government is considering the recommendation in Lord Peter Hendy's independent Union Connectivity Review for an assessment of the East Coast road and rail transport corridor alongside existing projects and the major upgrade of the East Coast Main Line included in the Integrated Rail Plan. Ministers and officials maintain regular dialogue with the Scottish Government on a wide range of issues including Lord Hendy’s recommendations and the upgrade of the East Coast Main Line.