The House of Lords authorities have bought 20 iPads for use by peers and staff to test how the devices can "facilitate core parliamentary work", it was revealed tonight.
The touchscreen tablets cost between £399 and £659 each, according to the Apple website, suggesting a total bill to the taxpayer of between £8,000 and £13,000.
The information was revealed by chairman of committees Lord Brabazon of Tara in a reply to a written question from Labour's Lord Kennedy of Southwark.
Lord Brabazon said: "Twenty iPads have been purchased for use by members and staff of the House of Lords, to evaluate how handheld devices can facilitate core parliamentary work."
Following changes to procedures, peers are allowed to use their own handheld devices in the chamber and some now rely on them for speaking notes.