§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost was to his Department of mobile phones supplied to Ministers and officials in each year since 1997. [123142]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe information is as follows:
Calls (£) Line rental/other expenditure 1997–98 52,352.41 117,693.37 Total for 1997–98 170,045.78 1998–99 50,959.11 117,339.61 Total for 1998–99 168,298.72 1999–2000 58,478.47 160,410.62 Total for 1999–2000 218,889.09 2000–01 91,335.48 237,861.51 Total for 2000–01 329,196.99 2001–02 98,504.53 275,744.34 Total for 2001–02 374,248.87 2002–03 116,603.88 237,351.90 Total for 2002–03 353,955.78 The total cost refers to the cost of the equipment (set out above as 'other expenditure'), the call charges and the access charges (set out above as 'line rental').
350WThe 'other' expenditure includes the purchase of new handsets, personal hands-free kit, carry cases etc., but it is not possible to provide separate totals for line rental and hardware costs