Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether their franchise agreement with Great Western Railway allows for the running of suburban multiple units on their inter-city services.

Great Western Railway is expected to best match available capacity to available demand. Whilst nearly all inter-city services are operated using Intercity Express Trains, several services between London and Cardiff are operated using alternative 110mph capable rolling stock to retain traincrew route and traction knowledge. This retains the ability to use said alternative rolling stock during special events in Cardiff when passenger demand necessitates increased capacity which cannot be accommodated using only Intercity Express Trains.