To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many former executives of HS2 Ltd are now working for consultants providing services to HS2 Ltd.

There are no former HS2 Ltd Executive Committee members currently working on the HS2 project. When a HS2 Executive leaves HS2 Ltd, HS2’s Conflicts of Interest Panel ensures that appropriate arrangements are in place with respect to that Executive’s new employer at the time of leaving HS2 to ensure there is no prejudice to HS2. The Panel remind departing Executives of their confidentiality obligations and depending upon their role have placed restrictions on such Executive to not to work with HS2 for up to 12 months after they leave direct employment. It is not necessary to put any such arrangements in place where the former Executive leaves HS2 to join a company who does not service the rail, construction or transport industry. Any constraints placed on a person’s ability to earn a living must be compliant with legal obligations around restraint of trade. Further, any supplier bidding for work with HS2 Ltd is required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest which would include where former HS2 Ltd employees are part of the bidding or proposed delivery team.