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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): Home delivery is a related service that many patients value. Consequently, views are sought on the fees proposed in the current consultation which are intended to
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Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the exclusion from the 2 per cent reduction in price reimbursements of manufacturers by the National Health Service for items listed in proposed new Arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the Provision of Stoma and Incontinence Appliances—and Related Services—to Primary Care—June 2008 is limited to companies with a turnover of less than £5 million based only on their turnover in the United Kingdom according to the Prescription Pricing Division published figures or less than £5 million based on their turnover including non-United Kingdom activities. [HL4920]
Lord Darzi of Denham: The review of Arrangements under Part IX of the Drug Tariff for the Provision of Stoma and Incontinence Appliances—and Related Services—to Primary Care applies to England only. Copies of this publication have already been placed in the Library. As noted, it has been proposed that manufacturers who have applied directly to the Prescription Pricing Division for a product to be listed on the drug tariff can apply for an exemption from the proposed 2 per cent reduction in reimbursement provided that their net ingredient cost (NIC)* in the 12 months preceding the announcement of any new arrangements for items listed in Part IXA (catheter), Part IXB and Part IXC was less than £5.6 million.
- *NIC on stoma and incontinence products dispensed in England in the 12 months preceding the announcement of any new arrangements.
Earl Howe asked Her Majesty’s Government:
How the Department of Health will ensure that the link between the NHS efficiency target and the annual price increase mechanism for remuneration in the Proposed New Arrangements under Part IXof the Drug Tariff for the Provision of Stoma and Urology Appliances—and Related Services—in Primary Care: A Consultation—June 2008 does not result in future price reductions which lead directly to product withdrawals. [HL4921]
Lord Darzi of Denham: No new arrangements for a price increase mechanism have been agreed, as the consultation is ongoing. Therefore, the department is unable to comment until such time as all responses to the consultation have been received and analysed.
House of Lords: IT
Lord Campbell-Savours asked the Chairman of Committees:
How many computers provided by PICT to members of the House of Lords are retained (a) outside the parliamentary estate, and (b) inside the parliamentary estate. [HL4962]
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The Chairman of Committees (Lord Brabazon of Tara): Members are entitled to a desktop computer for use in their parliamentary office and to a laptop computer for use at any location. One hundred and ninety eight desktop computers and 328 laptop computers are currently on loan to Members from PICT.
Lord Campbell-Savours asked the Chairman of Committees:
What is the total cost of computers provided to Members of the House of Lords for use (a) within the parliamentary estate, and (b) outside the parliamentary estate, in each of the past four years. [HL4963]
The Chairman of Committees: The cost in each of the past four years of providing Members with desktop computers for use in their parliamentary offices and laptop computers for use at any location is as follows:
| Financial Year | Desktop computers (including monitors) | Laptop computers |
Lord Campbell-Savours asked the Chairman of Committees:
What is the annual cost of PICT or its predecessor in the House of Lords in each of the past four years. [HL4964]
The Chairman of Committees: Prior to the creation of PICT on 1 January 2006, the House of Lords paid 15 per cent of the costs of the Parliamentary Communications Directorate. The House now pays 20 per cent of the costs of PICT. The annual expenditure by the House on central ICT services and equipment in each of the past four financial years is as follows:
| Financial Year | £000s |
Lord Campbell-Savours asked the Chairman of Committees:
What is the cost of providing printers to Members of the House of Lords for use (a) within the Parliamentary Estate, and (b) outside the Parliamentary Estate, in each of the past four years. [HL4965]
The Chairman of Committees: The range of printers provided by PICT to Members includes models that can be used both within and outside the Parliamentary Estate. It is not, therefore, possible to break down cost by location. The total cost in each of the past four years of providing Members with printers is as follows:
22 July 2008 : Column WA258
| Financial Year | Total cost of printers |
Lord Campbell-Savours asked the Chairman of Committees:
What is the cost of providing peripheral equipment for the information technology needs of Members of the House of Lords in each of the past four years. [HL4966]
The Chairman of Committees: Keyboards, mice and computer screens are included in the purchase price of the desktop or laptop computer where appropriate. Other peripheral items are obtained in negligible quantities and the cost is not recorded separately.
Lord Campbell-Savours asked the Chairman of Committees:
What are the terms of the Dell contract for the supply of information technology equipment to the House of Lords. [HL4967]
The Chairman of Committees: The contract with Dell for the supply of information technology equipment to the Houses of Parliament is subject to the Houses’ normal procurement terms and conditions. In addition, there are specific terms relating to the service, such as supply of equipment within 28 days of placement of an order and measures to ensure prices remain competitive.
Lord Campbell-Savours asked the Chairman of Committees:
What was the cost of supplying inkjet cartridges to Members of the House of Lords in each of the past four years; and [HL4989]
What was the cost of supplying laser toner cartridges to Members of the House of Lords in each of the past four years. [HL4990]
The Chairman of Committees: The cost of supplying printer cartridges to Members of the House of Lords in each of the past four years is as follows:
| Financial Year | Total cost of printers |
A breakdown of costs between inkjet and laser toner cartridges is not recorded.
Lord Campbell-Savours asked the Chairman of Committees:
What is (a) the cost, (b) the name of the suppliers, and (c) the manufacturer's item number of (1) mobile phones, (2) printers, and (3) computer equipment available to Members of the House of Lords following advice from PICT. [HL4991]
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The Chairman of Committees: Members of the House of Lords are entitled to the loan of one personal digital assistant or one Smartphone from PICT. These devices can be used as mobile phones. At present, Members can select one of three devices, which range in price from £240.00 to £405.00 excluding VAT.
The information requested regarding printers and computer equipment is as follows:
| Supplier | Item number | Cost | |
Lord Campbell-Savours asked the Chairman of Committees:
What arrangements are in place for reviewing the procurement requirements for information technology equipment available to the House of Lords and its Members. [HL4992]
The Chairman of Committees: The procurement of hardware equipment is either subject to competitive tender or covered by an existing government procurement framework. The prime supplier is subject to regular service and product reviews. Where existing products do not meet the needs of Members, additional products will be identified. Additional products can be sourced from alternative suppliers if required.
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