HC Deb 17 November 2000 vol 356 c834W
Mr. Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the cost has been of phase 1 of the Computers within Reach scheme. [138860]

Mr. Wills

Phase 1 of the Computers within Reach scheme has just been announced. The first phase of the scheme is intended to provide 35,000 recycled computers and printers, and will attract funding of £5,250,000 to the contractors operating the pilots.

In addition, the individuals who receive each PC (except a small minority in a linked scheme, Wired Up Communities) will be asked for a £60 contribution towards the cost. For those individuals who have special needs that require further adaption of the computer or software we have a further budget available. The Department has also bulk purchased software from a software company to run on the recycled computers. There will be further costs in relation to the operation and evaluation of the scheme. These costs have not been fully finalised at present.