Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what tendering process was followed when steel work for the HS2 Little Missenden ventilation shaft was ordered from Sendin; and whether that company was UK-certified.

The steel referenced was procured by Align JV, HS2 Ltd.’s contractor, when the original UK-based supplier was unable to provide the material required in the agreed timescales, with the potential to incur delays and higher costs on the project. All suitable alternative UK suppliers were approached, but none could provide the necessary product in time.

The French fabricator, Sendin, who provided this steel is an internationally renowned supplier in this market with the steel provided meeting all relevant UK standards. Their timely response allowed the project to stay on schedule.

HS2 Ltd.’s supply chain already includes over 2,000 businesses – 97% of which are UK-based. HS2 Ltd. has adopted a number of initiatives in line with the UK Steel Charter, and both HS2 Ltd. and my department are committed to working across Government and with the UK steel industry to ensure it is engaged, informed and prepared to seize the contract opportunities that will be generated by the construction of HS2.