SUPPORT for Bombardier workers is continuing to grow in the corridors of power.

The latest politician to offer his backing is Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher, who is Labour's Shadow Defence Procurement Minister.

Mr Dugher has tabled 16 parliamentary questions about Thameslink, the majority of which are directed at Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, with the remainder put to Business Secretary Vince Cable.

He questions whether there was any communication between Mr Hammond and Mr Cable in the run-up to the decision to award the work to Siemens.

He also quizzes Mr Hammond about his role and what he did or didn't do to prevent the Thameslink contract going overseas.

Mr Dugher said: "I know that this decision has had a devastating impact on the people of Derby and the county as a whole but there is an even bigger issue here.

"This decision shows that this country has no industrial policy and that is something that needs addressing.

"And secondly, I come from a family of people who worked on the railways at Doncaster. It's an industry that is close to my heart.

"I'm getting a very real sense that there is gathering support among MPs of all political persuasions to this issue because it is damaging to the whole of the UK.

"Mr Hammond could have stopped this competition at any point. His government actually reviewed Thameslink last year, along with all the other rail contracts, but still pushed ahead with it – and never at any point considered what might happen if Bombardier didn't win the work.

"Vince Cable should have been talking to Mr Hammond about this. I have experience of procurement processes and if he wasn't talking to him then it could rightly be said that Mr Cable was asleep on his watch. If I do not get responses to my questions before the summer recess then I will be submitting a series of Freedom of Information requests."

An MPs' debate on Bombardier and the future of rail manufacturing in the UK was scheduled to take place in Westminster Hall, at the House of Commons this morning.