Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment or has received any information as to whether the cracking of the Hitachi’s Intercity Class 800 series has arisen due to (a) any flaw in the design of those trains, (b) the materials used in construction, (c) trains operating outside of specified limits, (d) poor maintenance and (e) any other reason or combination of reasons.

Hitachi, as the manufacturer and maintainer of the trains, are undertaking a thorough investigation into the causes of the cracking that was found. Their findings will be reviewed by all parties concerned and until that is complete, it is inappropriate to speculate on causes or on the solutions.