Multi-Functional Devices (2024)

Response

In the first instance, please note that the House of Commons and the House of Lords, both of which occupy the parliamentary estate, are two separate public authorities. Our response below only relates to photocopiers operated by the House of Commons. If you wish to access information about photocopiers operated by the House of Lords (in building such as the Palace of Westminster and Millbank House), you should contact them directly at FOILORDS@parliament.uk.

1. How many photocopiers on the parliamentary estate.
And
2. Where they are on the estate

Some information is held by the House of Commons. We hold a record of multi-functional devices (MFDs) which are linked to the parliamentary IT network.
These devices allow a user to photocopy, scan, email and print documents from anywhere on the parliamentary estate.

• Details of the MFDs operated by the House of Commons (csv, 551B)

We do not hold information about any older, stand-alone photocopiers that our teams may have retained prior to the introduction of MFDs.

We also do not hold information about any photocopiers in the offices of MPs and/or their staff, even if they are on the parliamentary estate. This is because MPs (who are not employed by the House of Commons and are similar in status to self-employed people) are responsible for acquiring their own office equipment.

However, to be helpful, MPs may claim expenses for office equipment, and these expenses are paid by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA). It is therefore possible that IPSA may hold details of photocopiers purchased by Members and claimed on expenses. If you wish to contact them for that information, their contact details can be found here: https://www.theipsa.org.uk/.