Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress he has made on the (a) rollout of class 701 Arterio units and (b) withdrawal of Class 455, 456, 458 and 707.

South Western Railway (SWR) is responsible for oversight for entry into passenger service of ninety Class 701 units which are being built and tested by train manufacturer Alstom. Once SWR and Alstom have completed the testing programme, the Class 701 units will be phased into service allowing for the withdrawal or cascade of other units as appropriate.