§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if it is his policy to make available secondhand refurbished computers to socially excluded groups; and if he will make a statement. [114999]
§ Dr. HowellsThe majority of the Department's IT equipment is owned by UNITAS (a consortium of ICL and CMG) who provide the equipment under a private finance arrangement. UNITAS are responsible for the disposal of this equipment.
In respect of other equipment that remains the Department's property, contracts are in place for recycling that which is surplus to requirements. Under these contracts, London Computer Auctions and Recycle IT refurbish such equipment, where suitable, and sell it to schools at a low cost.