§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what consideration has been given to the need to introduce new criminal legislation to cover the fraudulent cloning of mobile and car telephones; and if he will make a statement on the current position.
§ Mr. Leigh[holding answer 4 November 1992]: I am not persuaded that new legislation is necessary. The police have made several arrests this year in connection with cloning offences. The mobile telephone industry is taking its own steps to reduce and minimise the practice of fraudulent cloning, and Oftel is also examining whether further action is justified.