Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 3 July 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 7 July 2000. It was answered by John Battle (Labour) on Friday, 7 July 2000 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many (a) mobile telephones and (b) pagers are used by his Department; and what the cost was of (i) the mobile telephones and pagers and (ii) calls made on mobile telephones during the last year for which figures are available, identifying separately the cost for calls to non-UK telephone numbers and the persons to whom the facility is made available. - Inc figures and fact that to provide details of the costs incurred would be in breach of commercial confidentiality.

Answer: Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) mobile telephones and (b) pagers are used by his Department; and what the cost was of (i) the mobile telephones and pagers and (ii) calls made on mobile telephones during the last year for which figures are available, identifying separately the cost for calls to non-UK telephone numbers and the persons to whom the facility is made available. [129252] Mr. Battle: It is imperative for the FCO's staff to remain in close contact both at home and overseas. In the UK the FCO has 900 mobile telephones and 253 pagers. FCO mobile telephone line rental and call costs are at competitive commercial rates. To provide details of the costs incurred would be in breach of commercial confidentiality.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 129252; 353 c344W;353 c342W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Costs Civil servants Government departments Mobile phones Ministers Foreign and Commonwealth Office Pagers
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk