§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) portable telephones, (b) pagers and electronic bleepers and (c) car telephones are currently used by his Department; what are the annual costs of operating this equipment; and to which personnel it is made available.
§ Mr. RedwoodMy Department has in operation 123 portable telephones, 21 pagers and electronic bleepers and two car telephones. The running costs of the equipment in 1993–94 were £24,429. Portable communication systems have been made available for use by Ministers, senior officials and others who are regularly engaged in official business away from the office and need to maintain contact with the Department and/or other organisations. Eighty one of the portable telephones are held specifically for issue on a temporary basis to officials who might need them while on official business and while working or travelling in areas where standard telephones may not be readily available.