Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will place in the Library copies of all correspondence between his Department, Network Rail and RAIL.ONE in relation to the proposed sleeper factory at Bescot Rail Yard.

A proposal for a new facility in Bescot is being developed by Network Rail to produce the sleepers necessary for them to maintain, renew, and enhance our rail network. The facility is intended to make up the shortfall when an existing facility at Washwood Heath is closed to become an HS2 depot.

Officials have this year corresponded with Network Rail about the proposed facility for the sole purpose of obtaining the factual information needed to provide accurate answers to the Hon. Member’s questions, as is standard practice.

I have no plans to place this correspondence in the libraries of the House.