Government responds to Transport Committee concerns over Thameslink procurement (27th April 2012)

Parliament Select Committee News

Special report: Thameslink rolling stock procurement: Government Response to the Committee's  eleventh report

Report: Thameslink rolling stock procurement (PDF version)

Inquiry: Thameslink rolling stock procurement

Transport Committee

Comment from the Chair

Commenting on this response, Committee Chair Louise Ellman MP said,

"Our train manufacturing industry needs a steady flow of work opportunities, to support employment in the sector, not occasional major orders.

Following our recommendations, the Government is taking steps in this direction, but it remains to be seen how this will affect firms like Bombardier and the long term security of UK supply chains.

If the Government decides to contract with Siemens for the Thameslink trains we would like more information to be published about why their bid was preferred to Bombardier's. This is essential to restore public confidence in the Department for Transport's procurement process and we urge the Secretary of State to act."