HC Deb 09 June 1986 vol 99 cc8-10W
Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many photocopiers are in use in the Palace of Westminster; what was the maintenance costs for these machines in each of the years 1980 to 1985; and what is the latest estimate for 1986.

Mr. Biffen

There are 74 photocopying machines in use in the House of Commons and parliamentary outbuildings. Hire charges, which include engineering maintenance and consumables other than paper, for the years in question are as follows:

£
1980–81 126,000
1981–82 132,000
1982–83 128,000
1983–84 157,000
1984–85 197,000
1985–86 224,000
*1986–87 233,000
* Estimated

Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Lord Privy Seal how much money was received from right hon. and hon. Members who photocopied documents in excess of the permitted number on the photocopiers provided in the Palace of Westminster in each of the years 1980 to 1985; and what is the latest figure for 1986.

Mr. Biffen

The total sums received by the Fees Office in respect of photocopied documents in excess of the permitted number on photocopying machines provided in the Palace of Westminster and parliamentary outbuildings for the years in question are as follows:

Academic year 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86
£ million per cent. £ million per cent. £ million per cent. £ million per cent. £ million per cent.
UGC recurrent grant (cash)
Aberdeen 21.14 2.1 23.23 2.0 23.45 2.0 23.82 1.9 25.63 2.0
Dundee 14.74 1.5 15.55 1.3 16.76 1.4 15.74 1.3 17.26 1.4
Edinburgh 41.07 4.1 45.92 4.0 44.61 3.8 48.41 3.9 51.96 4.1
Glasgow 36.58 3.6 43.19 3.7 45.24 3.8 45.84 3.7 48.85 3.8
Heriot-Watt 9.80 1.0 11.04 1.0 11.04 0.9 11.73 1.0 12.82 1.0
St. Andrews 10.16 1.0 12.11 1.0 12.06 1.0 12.46 1.0 13.84 1.1
Stirling 7.70 0.8 9.16 0.8 8.93 0.8 9.09 0.7 10.43 0.8
Strathclyde 19.98 2.0 23.48 2.0 24.34 2.1 24.68 2.0 27.36 2.2
Total Scotland 161.17 16.0 183.58 15.8 186.43 15.7 191.77 15.6 208.17 16.4
Total Great Britain 1,008.34 100 1,158.89 100 1,184.80 100 1,225.75 100 1,270.64 100
UGC recurrent grant (constant 1984–85 prices)
Aberdeen 24.52 2.1 25.33 2.0 24.50 2.0 23.82 1.9 24.36 2.0
Dundee 17.10 1.5 16.96 1.3 17.51 1.4 15.74 1.3 16.41 1.4
Edinburgh 47.65 4.1 50.08 4.0 46.61 3.8 48.41 3.9 49.39 4.1
Glasgow 42.44 3.6 47.10 3.7 47.27 3.8 45.84 3.7 46.44 3.8
Heriot-Watt 11.37 1.0 12.04 1.0 11.54 0.9 11.73 1.0 12.19 1.0
St. Andrews 11.79 1.0 13.21 1.0 12.60 1.0 12.46 1.0 13.16 1.1
Stirling 8.93 0.8 9.99 0.8 9.33 0.8 9.09 0.7 9.91 0.8
Strathclyde 23.18 2.0 25.61 2.0 25.43 2.1 24.68 2.0 26.01 2.2
Total Scotland 186.97 16.0 200.20 15.8 194.81 15.7 191.77 15.6 197.88 16.4
Total Great Britain 1,169.77 100 1,263.78 100 1,238.03 100 1,225.75 100 1,207.83 100

Financial year £
1980–81 163.48
1981–82 301.56
1982–83 163.40
1983–84 243.98
1984–85 22.56
1985–86 46.90
*1986–87 31.50
* To date.

Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will take steps to monitor the use of House of Commons notepaper by foreign research assistants using the official photocopiers in the Palace of Westminster.

Mr. Biffen

No, hut the authorities of the House will continue to investigate any allegations of improper use of either the photocopying machines or House of Commons stationery, which are drawn to their attention.

Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Lord Privy Seal what was the cost of providing copying paper for the photocopying machines in the Palace of Westminster in each of the years 1980 to 1985; and what is the latest estimate for 1986.

Mr. Biffen

I shall reply as soon as possible.