Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what comparative work his Department has undertaken in the awarding of rolling stock contracts with different EU countries under the Utilities Contracts Regulations.

The Department has not undertaken such comparative work as it is a matter for train operators, in awarding their own rolling stock contracts, to ensure they are compliant with any applicable procurement requirements.

Where the Government has led procurements of new trains in the past these have involved comprehensive assessments of available contracting and funding options in accordance with statutory processes.