Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what major changes were incorporated in the Framework Document between the Secretary of State for Transport and HS2 dated May 2018 compared with the previous version; and what budgets, programmes and other commitments have been transferred, retained or altered from the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Transport to the Chief Executive of HS2.

The Framework Document for HS2 dated May 2018 clarifies the relationship between HS2 and the Department for Transport and respective accountabilities and governance. The 2018 document is available in the House library. The version of the previous Framework Document, dated December 2014, is attached.

The Framework Document should be considered alongside the Development Agreement in order to understand the full controls environment and the operational relationship between HS2 Ltd and the Department.

In respect of budgets and programmes, the Department extends financial delegations to HS2 Ltd to facilitate the delivery of the HS2 programme. These delegations are amended from time to time, reflecting the business needs of HS2 Ltd.