To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to the inclusion of the Barking to Gospel Oak line in the railway electrification programme; and if he will make a statement.

This scheme was one of a number assessed in Network Rail's Network Route Utilisation Strategy concerning electrification which was published in October 2009. This can be found at:

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?dir=\RUS%20Documents\Route%20 Utilisation%20Strategies\Network\Working%20Group%204%20-% 20Electrification%20Strategy&pageid=4449&root=\RUS%20 Documents\Route%20Utilisation%20Strategies

Government support rail electrification as it helps to reduce carbon emission and cut running costs. It is keeping the case for further electrification under review subject to rolling stock considerations, value for money and affordability. However, our priority is tackling the fiscal deficit and Ministers will consider the full range of proposed transport projects in parallel with the spending review process to ascertain what is affordable.