Question

To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, for what reasons hon. Members were offered only tablets manufactured by Apple; and if the Commission will take steps to offer Android and other tablet devices to (a) new hon. Members and (b) other hon. Members.

The Parliamentary Digital Service currently offers three tablets to Members:

• iPad (128GB; Wi-Fi & Cellular enabled) Case Optional
• iPad (128GB; Wi-Fi enabled) Case Optional
• Android Tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab S2)

All Members are able to purchase these as part of their agreed hardware allowance, or through the IPSA office costs allowance.

At the New Members Reception Area the allocation and process were kept the same as at the 2015 General Election, so that Members were offered one laptop and one iPad.

Our policy is to be device-independent as far as possible when developing new apps. For instance the House papers app functions in IOS and Android, as does the Commons Order Papers app.