§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 6 December,Official Report, column 256, what is the estimated cost of settling the outstanding leases on the 13 photocopiers replaced by the Cabinet Office and its agencies and HMSO and the Central Office of Information; and what is (a) the length of contract for each of the new photocopiers acquired by his Department, (b) the minimum contractual cost of using these machines in each year and (c) the maximum amount by which the maintenance and or servicing cost can rise during the whole course of the contracts. [7982]
§ Mr. WillettsThere were no settlement costs in respect of leases for the 25 photocopiers replaced by the Cabinet Office and its agencies—11 machines—and HMSO and the Central Office of Information—14 machines. Eighteen of the machines are leased on three-year contracts, three are on four-year contracts and four are on five-year contracts. The minimum contractual cost of leasing these machines is £56,189 per annum. The maximum amount by which the maintenance and/or servicing costs can rise during the course of contract is limited to the rate of inflation as measured by the retail price index.