To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many (a) BlackBerrys and (b) other mobile telephones have been provided to (i) Ministers, (ii) special advisers and (iii) civil servants in (A) the Cabinet Office and (B) the Prime Minister's Office in each year since 2005. (268282)

The number of mobile phones purchased by the Cabinet Office in each year since 2005 are shown as follows:

At April 2009 the Cabinet Office has 198 BlackBerrys in use. Records of when these were purchased are not held centrally so the information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Our records do not differentiate between mobile devices supplied to Ministers, special advisers and civil servants.

The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.