§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how often since 1997(a) her Department and (b) its associated public sector organisations have undergone portable appliance testing of IT equipment; and what the cost was of portable appliance testing in each year since 1997. [174982]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 24 May 2004]: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has since 1997 undertaken annual testing of all portable appliances in DTI offices, including IT equipment, usually through its operations and maintenance contract. The cost of portable appliance testing is included in the overall price of the contract and cannot be provided separately.
In respect of the DTI's executive agencies, each Chief Executive has been asked to reply.
Letter from Claire Clancy to Mr. Howard Flight, dated 8 June 2004:
I am responding to your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on behalf of Companies House, which is an Executive Agency of the DTI.
The Portable Appliance Testing of IT equipment at Companies House is carried out every three to five years in accordance with the IEE recommendations. The cost is approximately £5000.00 per annum.
381WLetter from Desmond Flynn to Mr. Howard Flight, dated 8 June 2004:
The Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has asked me to reply to you directly on behalf of The Insolvency Service in respect of your question (2003/3109) asking how often since 1997 (a) the Department (b) its associated public sector organisation have undergone portable appliance testing of IT equipment and what the cost was of portable appliance testing in each year since 1997.
Since 1997, The Insolvency Service has undertaken annual testing of all portable appliances in our office, including IT equipment, usually using contactors from OGC 'Buying Solutions' call-off arrangements. The Service do not have the separate costs available for such testing as this is included with other maintenance costs.
Letter from Ron Marchant to Mr. Howard Flight, dated 8 June 2004:
Since 1997 the Patent Office has undertaken annual testing of all portable appliances in our offices, including I.T. equipment.
Our appointed mechanical and electrical contractors undertake this work for us and these costs are included in our overall building maintenance contract.
Letter from Roger Heathcote to Mr. Howard Flight, dated 8 June 2004:
You asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, how often since 1997 her Department and its associated public sector organisations have undergone portable testing of IT equipment and what the cost was of portable appliance testing in each year since 1997. I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Employment Tribunals Service (ETS).
Portable Appliance Testing is undertaken on a two yearly cycle within ETS as part of a planned programme of maintenance which includes the testing of IT equipment. I regret that I am unable to identify the separate costs within this associated with the testing of IT equipment.