Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sugg on 22 February (HL5513) and the Freedom of Information request dated 30 November 2017 requesting a copy of the report by PwC on comparative costs of developing and constructing high speed lines in Europe, what are the complex public interest considerations that have so far prevented its publication; whether they intend to publish that report; and if so, when.

The information requested was withheld under section 22 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 because it is intended for future publication. In applying this exemption we had to balance complex public interest consideration in withholding or disclosing the report. The Department for Transport found the balance to be in favour of withholding at that time and that remains our position.

I can confirm that HS2 Ltd do intend to publish this report in the near future.