§ Mr. Tom ClarkeTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many braille terminals and printers for personal computers which can be operated on a stand-alone basis or linked as work stations to larger stations there are in his Department.
Mr. Jackson[holding answer 22 January 1991]: My Department devolves much responsibility for purchasing equipment to individual managers. Comprehensive records are not kept centrally, so a definitive reply could be provided only at disproportionate cost. I can provide the following information.
There are three braille terminals and four braille printers for personal computers which can be operated on a stand-alone basis or linked to larger systems. In addition, 403W there are at least 14 personal computers with attachments, such as speech synthesisers, which facilitate their use by visually handicapped staff.
My Department also provides other specialised equipment for use by visually handicapped staff but which does not involve the use of personal computers. This equipment includes devices for producing braille print.