§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement about the electrification of the trans-Pennine railway link.
§ Mr. FreemanA consultant's report has been commissioned by a consortium of local authorities and passenger transport executives in the area. The report is currently under discussion with the Department. We are currently awaiting the consortium's response to a number of detailed questions. It would be for British Rail to bring forward an investment case for this project.