HC Deb 17 January 1996 vol 269 cc621-2W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what agreements his Department and its executive agencies have with companies for the provision of mobile and car phones; and if he will list the companies having these contracts, the duration of the contracts, the number of phones covered by each agreement and the cost to public funds of each agreement. [9770]

Mr. Hague

Welsh Office has no live contracts for the provision of mobile phones. Airtime contracts are presently held with:

Number of phones
Astec Communications 13
BT 8
Cellular Communications Corporation 1
Martin Dawes Communications 3
Mercury Communications 1

Number of phones
Mobile Telecomms 6
Peoples Phone 100
Talkland International 4
Uniqueair 5
VHL Communications 1
VODACOMM 16

Airtime contracts for existing mobile phones are initially for 12 months from purchase date and following that period are reviewed competitively and let to ensure value for money.

Contract values are dependent on mobile phone usage.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what procedures were used by his Department in awarding contracts for the supply of mobile and car phones to his Department and its executive agencies; and which companies were involved in tendering for these contracts. [9771]

Mr. Hague

My Department's standard competitive tendering procedures are used for the purchase of mobile telephones and car phones. Companies invited to tender for the supply of mobile phones include Peoples Phone, Talkland, Martin Dawes, Uplands Communications, Avenguard Communications, Astec Communications and VHL.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what costs his Department and executive agencies have incurred as a result of withdrawing from contracts under which mobile phones are provided; and if he will list the companies concerned. [9772]

Mr. Hague

In the last three years we have paid £264 in penalties for terminating contracts early. The companies involved were Peoples Phone, Vodacom and Uniqueair.