Yep, our glorious leaders are stupid as well as corrupt

[fhtagn]

In a recent report on the use of iPads by MPs (see the BBC here), the conclusion was that this had saved "several thousand pounds" because "they could circulate information electronically rather than in hard copy." These are the MPs who already have an allowance of five computers, but are incapable of circulating files electronically

Comments

[chess]

I would have assumed the cost saving involved deprecation on printers, printer ink, staff to maintain printers, staff to carry paper around, proper disposal of confidential materials... the paper is probably the cheapest part of hard copy circulation!

[chess]

Also I get the impression that MPs spend a lot of time travelling / in meetings / waiting for meetings to start, where they might not be able to use any of their main computers but could review information on a sheaf of hardcopy notes or an iPad...

[fhtagn]

Adding in the cost of one new printer and cartridge per MP for that time period still doesn't significantly change the costs - printers just aren't that expensive nor do they need to be replaced often enough to make a dent. Especially since they're still required for those things which can't be electronic. The total staff required also hasn't changed, since you will need secretaries, postal staff and the like regardless on a per person basis rather than a per-unit-moved basis. The disposal of confidential materials might be a factor, but again the gross overheads are maintained. The figures given are for money saved, so even if you halve the figures you still end up with a net result that either the wastage of paper is astronomical or that email and other electronic systems simply are not used unless attached to a shiny toy or both

[1st_law]

I'm going to agree with chess. Even if an iPad is expensive compared to other tablets and notebooks they are handy things on a train/plane/automobile.

Yes they've got themselves nice toys, but getting the IT department to give you shinies is a sort of sport in most big companies as well. Mine is certainly like that.

[fhtagn]

You misunderstand me. My irritation is not at the iPads in and of themselves, as their price is a drop in the bucket of wasted money, but the blatantly disingenuous and obnoxious excuses used instead. (Although I would argue that the ubiquity of corruption is not a justification therefor, especially not at the public's expense) I can even agree that a tablet would be useful for reading papers etc, and certainly useful in the House itself for efficiency and organisation

[omniscient_fool]

As a society our concept of 'need' has become well and truly fucked. We (or rather they) can't even articulate, let alone justify, why they feel these artificial needs so make crap up instead. Any individual who thinks they need 5 computers and an ipad for one job, and who is not processing huge quantities of data, is, quite frankly, a tit.

[fhtagn]

Well, much as it pains me to argue in their favour, the multiplicity of machines does probably take into account the fact that they have offices in multiple places as well as secretarial staff. If it doesn't then there's something very, very wrong. (I say this as someone with two computers in the office, two home computers (one gaming, one server) and a laptop, of course, so ....). Then again, I freely admit that one of my homecomputers is vanity (the server, but being able to remote control a home computer from my phone makes me deliriously happy) but I really do use all the rest extensively.

[omniscient_fool]

I'd assumed the 5 computer allowance was for the 1 MP themselves, but of course, if that is to cover other members of staff as well then it is much more reasonable (as long as it is no more than 1 desktop per staff member with the possible exception of IT staff or a server). I'm not sure if I agree with the principle of the multiple offices argument (although you may well be right that this is a reason) as surely that's what the laptops are for?

I fully appreciate that you need two computers in your office for the work you do, but I really doubt MPs would be using anything more intensive than Microsoft Office and IE. Maybe an accounting program. That shit requires multiple windows, not multiple machines, and certainly not multiple machines paid for by the public in a time of economic hardship. As for what you have at home, given that you pay for it yourself, you could have 50 computers stacked up to make a self heated coffee table for all I care! :p

[omniscient_fool]

Maybe the iPads should come out of their campaign budgets? I think it would be more appropriate given that the real reason for having them is much more likely to be to look up to date, fashionable, and successful.

[callylevy]

Nah, you don't get it - when they want to circulate information electronically they just put the iPad in an internal envelope and off it goes! ;-)

[fhtagn]

Well, they do fit in a manilla envelope, after all.