§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence to change the electronic identity of a mobile telephone; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian TaylorMy Department, with the Home Office and Oftel, have been discussing with the mobile phone industry what steps can be taken to tackle the problem of mobile phone theft. In particular, the industry is considering improved control of electronic serial numbers and equipment marking schemes. The Federation of Communication Services has proposed the introduction of a new criminal offence of reprogramming a mobile phone. Discussions are continuing with the industry about whether any new offence along these lines would be at all effective in reducing the problem of mobile phone thefts, and whether such an offence could be compatible with protection of the legitimate interests of mobile phone users and others.
Significant offences already exist under the Theft Acts 1968 and 1978 covering the theft and handling of mobile phones and section 42 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 covering the fraudulent use of telecommunications equipment.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the land area of the United Kingdom can be reached by mobile phones.
§ Mr. Ian TaylorMobile phone services are currently available in an area where over 98 per cent. of the United Kingdom population live, well in excess of the figure of 90 per cent. of the United Kingdom population required by the licences issued to the mobile telecommunications operators under the Telecommunications Act 1984. The Department of Trade and Industry does not hold figures on the percentage of land area of the United kingdom which can be reached by mobile phones.