APPENDIX 3: CALL FOR EVIDENCE
The Economic Affairs Committee of the House of Lords,
chaired by Lord Hollick, is conducting an inquiry into The
Economic Case for HS2. The Committee invites interested individuals
and organisations to submit evidence to this inquiry.
Written evidence is sought as soon as possible. Public
hearings will be held in October, November and December 2014.
The Committee aims to report to the House, with recommendations,
in February. The report will receive a response from the Government,
and may be debated in the House.
Background
The remit of the Economic Affairs Committee is to
consider economic affairs. Information including membership and
recent inquiries can be found on this link:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/economic-affairs-committee.
The Economic Affairs Committee's inquiry into The
Economic Case for HS2 does not form part of parliamentary
consideration of the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill,
which is now with the House of Commons Select Committee on the
Bill. Individuals and organisations who feel they are directly
and specially affected by the Hybrid Bill should continue to turn
for information and advice to this link:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/high-speed-rail-london-west-midlands-bill-select-committee-commons.
Issues
The Economic Affairs Committee invites evidence on
any aspect of The Economic Case for HS2, and particularly
on the following questions:
(1) Is there an economic case for HS2?
(2) Should the Strategic Case for HS2
published in October 2013 by the Department for Transport and
analysis from HS2 Ltd have taken account of any other factors
in making an economic case for the project? Is the expected range
of the benefit cost ratio persuasive?
(3) What are the likely economic benefits of
HS2 to the Midlands, to the North of England and to Scotland?
Do they also depend on complementary action by governments, local
authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships, for example measures
to attract investment and skilled workers?
(4) Might some parts of the UK suffer economic
disadvantage from HS2?
(5) Is London likely to be a main economic beneficiary
of HS2?
(6) How might the expected benefits of HS2 to
the national economy be realised?
(7) How should HS2 be operated? As a franchise
in competition with West and East Coast Main Lines?
(8) Should travellers expect to pay higher fares
on HS2 than on other lines?
(9) Does the prospect of HS3 affect the economic
case for HS2?
These questions are illustrative. Not all need be
answered. The Q & A format need not be followed. Other aspects
of the economic case for HS2 may also be addressed.
As stated above, this inquiry will not address the
High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill now before Parliament.
Those with concerns about that Bill should pursue them via this
link:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/
committees-a-z/commons-select/high-speed-rail-london-west-midlands-bill-select-committee-commons.
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