To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many laptop computers have been provided to (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) civil servants in his Department in each year since 2005; and at what cost. (268265)

The Department issues laptop computers to individuals conducting work on behalf of the Department based upon business need. No distinction is made between the allocation of such devices to Ministers, special advisers, civil servants or other staff working on behalf of the Department. Historical records of the allocation of laptops to specific individuals are not kept.

Based upon current allocation we can state the following:

Ministers, three laptops;

Special advisers no laptops allocated currently; and

Civil servants and others, working on behalf of the Department have 2,346 laptops.

The costs of the specific laptops allocated to individuals are not held.