The Department does not hold detailed records of laptops, mobile telephones and personal digital assistant (PDA) devices provided specifically to Ministers since 1997. However, the policy is to provide Ministers with one laptop, one mobile telephone, and one PDA each, where they have declared a requirement for such equipment. This equipment is usually new but may be re-allocated equipment depending on age and condition of the device. When a Minister leaves the Department the equipment is returned for re-allocation.
Following this year’s Cabinet reshuffle, the six current Ministers have been allocated a total of five laptops, one mobile phone and four Blackberry devices which have dual mobile phone and PDA functionality. The team of Ministers before the reshuffle were allocated four laptops, five mobile phones and four Blackberry devices.