§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many(a) integrated digital and (b) analogue television sets have been bought by her Department in each of the last 24 months; and if she will publish the guidance given to officials making decisions on television purchases. [33240]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 4 February 2002]Parts(a) and (b) of this question could be answered only at disproportionate cost because the information is not held centrally. However, all equipment purchased by the Department must provide value for money and be fit for purpose. In many cases the Department purchases televisions as monitors for the viewing of educational videos and not for the viewing of television broadcasts.
Information about digital television sets is available on the digital television website www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk and the guidance it contains is as relevant to public sector purchasers as to consumers. There is, therefore, no specific guidance for officials.