§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what use his Department makes of hand-held and car-based mobile telephones; what were the costs for each financial year of these services since mobile telephones were first introduced to his Department; and how many mobile telephones are currently in use. [23439]
§ Mr. Hague[holding answer 9 May 1995]: Mobile telephones are widely used across the Department. They help to reduce delays for peripatetic staff, and assist with safety where staff may be placed in potentially difficult situations.
All procurement of mobile telephones must be through the departmental information technology authority procurement services, and procurement guidance and processes have been developed to help managers make informed decisions as to the correct equipment to procure.
Available figures are in the tables.
71W
Number of mobile phones Benefits agency Information technology services agency Contributions agency Child support agency War pensions agency Resettlement agency DSSHQ 1994–95 1 n/a 413 1 n/a 1 n/a 95 3 94 Notes: 1 Budgets for mobile phones and pagers are delegated to individual agency district managers. Details could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. n/a = not available.