§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will investigate the continued misuse of the photocopier in Upper Committee Corridor North by some research assistants; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. BiffenThe authorities of the House will continue to investigate any allegations of improper use of the photocopying machines provided for the use of right hon. and hon. Members, which are drawn to their attention.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Lord Privy Seal what records there are of the paper used in the photocopier in Upper Committee Corridor North; how the quantity of paper used compares with similar machines located in other parts of the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenMonthly records are maintained of the numbers of copies made on each of the photocopying machines provided for the use of right hon. and hon. Members. There is no significant difference in the quantities of paper used in the Upper Committee Corridor North photocopying machine and similar models situated elsewhere in the Palace of Westminster.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will indicate how many lion. Members have entered their names in the payment book at the photocopying machine in Upper Committee Corridor North for having more than 12 copies of one sheet; what is the latest date of entry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenSeven right hon. and hon. Members have entered their names in the payment book provided at the photocopying machine in Upper Committee Corridor North. Two of them have done so more than once. The latest date of entry is 12 February 1987. I welcome the cooperation of right hon. and hon. Members in ensuring compliance with the existing regulations.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Lord Privy Seal if he will place in the Official Report the amount of money paid by hon. Members for having in excess of 12 copies of one sheet at the photocopier in Upper Committee Corridor North; when the last charge was made upon hon. Members; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenThe records to provide this information in the form requested prior to June 1986 are no longer available. Since that date, £9 has been recovered from hon. Members in respect of the photocopying machine on the Upper Committee Corridor North. The last account rendered to an hon. Member was on 3 July 1986. Accounts are not rendered until the sum due exceeds £1.00, which accounts for the delay in charging Members for copies entered in payment books.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Lord Privy Seal if he has any plans for a photocopying central pool in the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenThere are no plans for the establishment of a central pool of photocopying machines in the Palace of Westminster. Machines are sited at a number of different locations throughout the Palace of Westminster and Parliamentary outbuildings for the convenience of right hon. and hon. Members and their staffs in carrying out their parliamentary duties. The conditions, recommended by the Services Committee, under which they may be used are displayed on notices by each machine. The authorities of the House will continue to investigate specific instances of abuse which are drawn to their attention.
§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Lord Privy Seal how many times the photocopying machine in Upper Committee Corridor North has required repairs; what has been the 465W cost of these repairs including labour and materials in the years 1983 to 1986 and the latest available figures for 1987; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BiffenThe number of times the photocopying machine in the Upper Committee Corridor North has required repairs, excluding routine maintenance visits, for the years 1983 to date is as follows:
Number 1983 3 1984 7 1985 3 1986 4 11987 2 1 To date. There are no separate charges for repairs, including labour and materials, carried out by the suppliers because these are included in the rental costs.