§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who authorised the installation of a mounted television screen in the waiting area of Gloucester House, part of the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) at Hatton Cross in London, where appellants and legal representatives meet in conference; how much the installation cost; and what plans there are to install similar screens in other IAA courts. [HL4033]
§ Lord FilkinThe installation of a mounted plasma screen into the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) hearing centre at Gloucester House was authorised as part of the procurement and fit-out process for the building, which became operational on 23 June 2003. The cost for the provision, and installation, of the plasma screen in the public waiting area of Gloucester House was £5,875 inclusive of VAT. Similar equipment is planned for the public waiting area of York House at Hatton Cross. A standard television has also been installed in the public area of the IAA hearing centre in Surbiton. The installation of television equipment into public areas provides a large range of training and customer uses to the operational hearing centre and is a component of the IAA commitment to providing a high standard of customer facilities for users. Video information regarding the IAA and entertainment, via terrestrial television, is provided for users waiting for hearings. The provision of television equipment into public areas is decided on a centre-by-centre basis.