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Our Ref: FOI306885
Mr Barry Collins Deputy Editor - PC Pro By e-mail: barryc@pcpro.co.uk 19 August 2011 Dear Mr Collins Freedom of Information Act 2000 I am writing to let you know that the Cabinet Office is complying with the Information Commissioner’s Decision Notice, dated 19 July 2011, regarding the information withheld in response to your request of 12 October 2010. Your request was for • •
The make/model of the printer cartridge that was used as an example in Sir Philip Green’s published report (page 13) The make/model of the laptops used as an example in Sir Philip Green’s published report (page 14)
The information is at Annex A of this letter and below I have set out some background information you may find useful. You will note the laptop computers do not convey an accurate like for like hardware comparison. The figures quoted in the review were not based on just the hardware specifications but also their specific configurations (e.g. security configurations) and other services provided (e.g. desk-side support, printing capability etc). The reason for this is because costs quoted were obtained from ICT Services contracts that are commonly used across Government today. Laptop computers are issued for variety of reasons, e.g. to work on secure documents or to give public presentations. Therefore, costs per laptop can increase and decrease where it requires different configurations and support. However, Sir Philip Green’s review did give an illustrative indication of the differences derived from Government ICT contracts, which we are now addressing through better and consolidated contract management and through the “Desktop/Devices Strategy” for Government which aims to bring greater standardisation and cost reduction.
Also, since the review, the Government has been reforming how it purchases Office Supplies. We recently completed a procurement and awarded two contracts to supply all Government Departments in Office Supplies (stationery) and Electronic Office Supplies (cartridges, toners). These contracts will help to ensure all Departments pay the same one price across a range of common items, directly addressing one of the concerns from the Green Review. Finally, you may be interested to know that over the past year, through our procurement efforts, savings in excess of £1bn have been achieved in addition to the £800m already announced through our efforts in better managing Government’s key suppliers as the Crown. More details can be found on our website www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
Yours sincerely
John Collington Chief Procurement Officer Government Procurement - The Cabinet Office
Annex A: Information requested Printer Cartridge HP LJ5500 SMARTPRINT CARTRIDGE 12,000 PAGES C9733A MAGENTA, lowest price = £86, highest price = £398 Make/Model/Specification of Laptop Computers
Component Model 35,6 cm (14.0") HD LED with 1.3M webcam* Intel Core i3-330M 2.4GHz 3MB Intel Core i7-660UM 2.4GHz 3MB 2 GB DDR3 800 MHz PC3-6400 4GB DDR3 PC8500 (2 x 2GB) DVD Super multi (reader/writer) HDD SATA 160 GB 5.4k HDD SATA 250GB 5.4k WLAN Atheros 802.11b\g\n (WW) UMTS Sierra Wireless Gobi 2000 / 3G Fingerprint Sensor** Express card slot Bluetooth Country Kit GB Keyboard w\o TS Spillproof GB Keyboard Spillproof GB License EU/MM - Windows 7 Professional REC-DVD Win7 Professional 64 All MuLi Win7 Pro64 MAIN + Office2010s Drivers & Utility (XP/Vista/7) 1st Battery 6cell 5.800mAh (62Wh) Portrep\AC Adapter 100W \GB-Cable Kit Bios freeze TPM Module
£353 Fujitsu LIFEBOOK PH530 N Y N Y N N N Y N N N N Y Y N Y Y N Y Y N N N N
£2000 (actual hardware cost is £1355) Fujitsu LIFEBOOK P770 Y N Y N Y Y Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y
* Webcam enables staff to hold meetings via their desk, reducing the need to travel ** Fingerprint Sensor used as part of the security feature if required