§ Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the need for(a) new and (b) reconditioned rolling stock for the UK railway system; and whether he estimates train companies are making the level of investment required to meet these needs. [122347]
§ Mr. McNultyDecisions on the purchase of new railway vehicles and the refurbishment of existing ones are primarily matters for train operators. There is nevertheless a requirement for the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) to produce a strategy for passenger rolling stock against which individual decisions can be taken. A consultation draft of its rolling stock strategy was published by the SRA on 30 June 2003.