To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many laptop computers have been used by (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials in his Department in each year since 1995; how many have been (i) lost and (ii) stolen in that period; what the cost of the use of laptops in that period was; and if he will make a statement.

Current Treasury records simply assign ownership of laptops and other small equipment to Budget centres within the Department, and so a distinction between (a), (b) and (c) is not made.

Details for 1995–02 can be found in the answer given on 3 March 2003, Hansard, column 838W by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Twickenham.

The totals above indicate acquisitions and do not reflect the actual number in use, which is affected by occasional stock holding and by old equipment being replaced with newer models. At present the number of laptops supported is about 500.

All recorded losses of laptops have been due to theft.