As part of a streamlining plan following its acquisition of EDS, a Texas-based technology company, Hewlett-Packard announced plans to lay off about 24,600 employees.

A company spokeswoman could not say what effect the consolidation would have on HP's Palo Alto headquarters.

About half the layoffs will be in the United States, with more than half affecting EDS employees, she said.

Cuts are expected to be highest in legal, accounting, information technology, human relations, procurement and other support departments that would be duplicated with the merger, which was finalized in August, according to HP.

About 12,000 new positions will also be available in technology services, she said.