UK House of Commons contemplating iPad purchases for MPs
The U.K.'s House of Commons Commission is set to decide on a recommendation to provide iPads and other tablets to members of parliament.
The BBC reports that the Commons Administration Committee recommended the devices on the belief that it will save taxpayer money. According to the report, the Commission considered the recommendation on Monday evening.
MPs receive "three desktop computers and two laptops for office use," the publication noted. The committee claims the addition of tablets may save paper, while helping them do their work.
After conducting a trial, the committee advocated for a "rapid roll-out" of tablets last month. Though other devices were considered, Apple's iPad was held up as "ahead of the field with regard to functionality."
Despite the fact that Apple is expected to provide only a "very limited" discount on purchases of the iPad, Sir Alan Haselhurst, chairman of the administration committee, believes that tablets could result in "an overall saving for the public purse." The recent tablet trial was found to have reduced MPs' costs by "several thousand pounds" in printing and other costs.
"It seems that this is the future, for the convenience in terms of dealing with all the work MPs have to do, but also because it assists in what is a determined policy of the house - reducing the use of paper," Haselhurst said.
Outfitting all 650 MPs with iPads could cost as much as £260,000, not including recurring costs for cellular data. According to the Daily Mail 70 MPs have already expensed iPad purchases.
The House of Commons changed its rules last year to allow tablets and BlackBerrys in the chamber. The first known use of an iPad at the despatch box came from Deputy Leader David Heath last October.
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Comments
After conducting a trial, the committee advocated for a "rapid roll-out" of tablets last month. Though other devices were considered, Apple's iPad was held up as "ahead of the field with regard to functionality."
INCREDIBLY smart move. Considering the fact that tablet computing is the way personal computing is headed, this seems extremely wise. Future proofing this purchase is what is important, and I think them choosing the iPad will prevent their purchase from being extinct considering the fact that all other tablet makers are still way behind in terms of FUNCTIONALITY a.k.a USABILITY. Not specs. I dont think these people in office don't give a rat's butt about specs. This is fun news
Are these for the military police over there? What is an MP?
Members of Parliament.
I'd love to have been in on that meeting where they "consider" other tablets.
It probably wasn't so much a meeting than a briefing...
Members of Parliament.
Ah, thought it might be..... Wasn't too clear in the story. After a quick google search for MP, I see it is an actual acronym. I guess I've been living under a rather large stone for 49 years. Thanks Tallest.
That's when I sell my AAPL.
Ah, thought it might be..... Wasn't too clear in the story. After a quick google search for MP, I see it is an actual acronym. I guess I've been living under a rather large stone for 49 years. Thanks Tallest.
Stone? 49 years? Britain?
That comes out to 686!
?
And that's the extent of my joke-making skills 'round midnight.
Are these for the military police over there? What is an MP?
MP Is military police but is also used when ref a person in politics aka member of parliment.
I await the first "MP leaves iPad containing sensitive data on train" story. I give it two months.
Followed by Apple PR shouting about how Find My iPad was able to locate it, lock it and wipe it. I think they're far more secure than the current methods (paper and laptops)
If/when the US Senate -- average age, 103; average mentality, 1950s -- adopts the iPad, it will be a formal declaration that the iPad has become officially uncool.
That's when I sell my AAPL.
We also have a second house, the house of lords with an average age of 1950 and an IQ of 10.3 (10.0 higher than the average MP). But the lords would have to hire someone to carry and use the iPad for them, so no cost savings there.
I await the first "MP leaves iPad containing sensitive data on train" story. I give it two months.
Leaves it in a gay, bondage dungeon don't you mean?
Sold to Rupert's paparazzi and reported on tastefully with the highest journalistic integrity.
Followed by Apple PR shouting about how Find My iPad was able to locate it, lock it and wipe it. I think they're far more secure than the current methods (paper and laptops)
Agreed but let's hope that they're set up centrally. The average MP isn't going to be smart enough to turn on Find My iPad.
I was having work experience at Parliament last summer, and even the IT technicians failed to connect to Wifi anywhere outside the central lobby or committee rooms. It doesn't work in the Commons, Lords, or even the terrace (a bar overlooking the River Thames).
With all that said, it will be good to see an end to those horrible Windows 7 machines they have stuck everywhere. I'd love to see the iPad go insane when a division bell goes off would probably give some of the older lot a heart attack.
Agreed but let's hope that they're set up centrally. The average MP isn't going to be smart enough to turn on Find My iPad.
And some MPs won't be smart enough to turn on the iPad. I can just imagine them letting Lords have a go...
Stone? 49 years? Britain?
That comes out to 686!
?
And that's the extent of my joke-making skills 'round midnight.
rather good geek joke, if i do say so myself (a stone is 14 pounds, if others have not done the math... as to why a stone is fourteen pounds, well it is just fourteen pounds