Question to the Department for Transport:

Her Majesty's Government whether they are currently paying rental charges for the Intercity Express Programme trains which will be delivered before the electrification of the lines is completed; and if so, what is the total amount of those charges.

Payment for Intercity Express Programme (IEP) trains is made through Set Availability Payments (SAPs) which are due to be paid by Great Western Railway (the train operator) to Agility once the Great Western IEP fleet comes into service from this Autumn. The fleet is all bi-mode so the timing of electrification of the line is not a factor in this process. The amount of SAP charges payable is a commercial matter and not available for release.