Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the new InterCity Express trains will include in standard class (1) seats aligned with windows, (2) tables at most seats, and (3) adequate luggage accommodation.

The standard class interior of the InterCity Express trains has been designed with input from the operators providing sufficient numbers of seats to meet rising passenger demand. In standard class there will be a mixture of fixed table seats and airline seats, with every airline-style seat having a seat-back table.

The InterCity Express trains will increase the number of seats in the morning peak in to Kings Cross by 28% and 40% in to Paddington when compared with the May 2011 timetable.

InterCity Express train interiors are designed flexibly to ensure that as far as possible, seats are aligned with windows and sufficiently deep luggage racks are provided above the seats and at carriage ends.

The total volume of luggage space within an InterCity Express train saloon is an increase on the current Mk4 coach interior design in use on the East Coast Main Line.