Kramer and Davey quiz Hoon on Waterloo

10.44.34am GMT Mon 16th Feb 2009

• [Feb 12]: Susan Kramer (Richmond Park, Liberal Democrat) : PLATFORM 20 at Waterloo is now available for domestic services, but I understand that the trains needed to run those services have not yet been ordered, even though the need for them was recognised two years ago.

. . Will the Secretary of State confirm that the production lines for the class 450 Desiros have now, sadly, been closed, and that new orders cannot be delivered before 2011? Will he also confirm that the cost of those trains will now be 30 per cent. higher because of the collapse of the pound against the euro? And will he tell us whether we are going to get those trains at all?

Geoff Hoon (Secretary of State, Department for Transport; Ashfield, Labour) : I have consistently made it clear since getting this job that relieving congestion and improving capacity on our network is of paramount importance. Bringing into service the platform at Waterloo is part of that process, and the investment that I announced today is part of a much wider £20 billion investment in new rail capacity.

. . • Edward Davey (Kingston & Surbiton, Liberal Democrat) : Will the Secretary of State ask his officials to look again at the delays in reaching a decision on new train services for platform 20 at Waterloo? As was pointed out by my hon. Friend Susan Kramer, the platform is ready for domestic commuter trains, but there could be a delay of over a year before it is actually used.

Will the Secretary of State also write to me and let me know whether his Department has finally confirmed with South West Trains and Network Rail the investment for the new 10-car commuter trains, including investment in all the related platform-lengthening and infrastructure works that are essential to reducing the chronic overcrowding that is being suffered every day by commuters to Waterloo?

Geoff Hoon: I should be delighted to send the hon. Gentleman a letter about that. I shall also send a copy to his hon. Friend Susan Kramer.