Tape Recorders (Hansard, 14 November 1988)

§ Mr. Grocott
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how often tape recorders used by his Department are sent away for servicing.

§ Mr. Lawson
As and when required.

§ Mr. Grocott
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many breakdowns of Treasury tape recorders have occurred in the latest year for which figures are available.

§ Mr. Lawson
About one quarter of the stock of tape recorders including dictating machines developed faults at some point during the year 1987–88.

§ Mr. Grocott
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what training schemes exist for Treasury officials on the operation of tape recorders.
538W

§ Mr. Lawson
Training in the operation of tape recorders and dictaphones is given as necessary.

§ Mr. Grocott
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average age of tape recorders used in his Department.

§ Mr. Lawson
The information is not available.

§ Mr. Grocott
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what makes of tape recorders are used in his Department.

§ Mr. Lawson
The Treasury uses a variety of different makes, supplied by HMSO.

§ Mr. Grocott
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many tape recorders are available to his officials for use on official business.

§ Mr. Lawson
Including dictating machines about 1,000 in the central Treasury.

§ Mr. Gordon Brown
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his practice in relation to tape-recording meetings and briefings of journalists which take place in number 11 Downing street; how often in the past tapes have failed to work; where the tape of the briefing on 4 November is now; and whether any official has had discussions with the BBC or any experts on how to enhance the volume.

§ Mr. Anderson
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether he is prepared to submit for independent analysis the actual tape which failed to record the conversation between himself and selected journalists on 4 November;
(2) on how many occasions over the past 12 months tape recorders drawn from the Treasury pool have proved so defective that conversations at non-attributable ministerial briefings have been totally erased; and what action he proposes to improve the efficiency of these machines.

§ Mr. Lawson
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Sedgemore) on 11 November. There are no records on the performance of tape recorders at briefings of journalists in 11 Downing street. The tape at the briefing on 4 November which failed to record the discussion has since been re-used. There have been no discussions with the BBC or others.