§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport 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. NorrisThe Department has 288 portable telephones, 1,946 pagers and electronic bleepers and 23 car telephones. Figures are not available for the annual operating costs. The equipment is issued to staff on the basis of operational need, especially where they have to120W work away from an office. The main users of the equipment are staff in the Coastguard Agency, Highways Agency, vehicle inspectorate and air accident investigation branch.