§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many mobile phones have been supplied to his Department in each of the last eight years; and in each of those years how many different suppliers were involved. [8038]
520W
§ Mr. BoswellThe Ministry and its associated executive agencies have been procuring mobile phones since 1990. Therefore, the information that follows covers the period from April 1990 to date.
We currently have approximately 1,469 mobile phones which were procured under centrally negotiated call-off arrangements. Two suppliers have been used, Racal Vodafone (Vodac Ltd.) from 1 April 1990 to 28 February 1993 and Mercury Communications Ltd. from 1 March 1993 to present.
The Ministry will shortly be tendering its requirements for mobile phones.
The number of mobile phones bought each year are as follows:
- 1990: 32
- 1991: 137
- 1992: 162
- 1993: 398
- 1994: 506
- 1995: 234.