Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the report that the Secretary of State for Transport has asked the new Chair of HS2 Allan Cook to undertake a review of the project "to make sure that the costs and budget are right and that it is deliverable", what independent advice Mr Cook will seek as part of that review; whether his report will include comments on whether the project can be delivered within the current Government financial envelope for HS2; if not, what reductions in scope would be necessary to stay within that envelope; when they expect Mr Cook to deliver his report; and whether that report will be published.

It is the role of the Chair and the Board of HS2 Ltd to keep the entire programme under ongoing scrutiny. The Chair is currently carrying out an assessment in this regard and has regular discussions with the Department about its progress.