§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received about the cloning of mobile telephones. [5472]
§ Mr. MacleanMy right hon. and learned Friend has received a number of representations from hon. Members, the telecommunications industry and members of the public about both the cloning of mobile telephones and mobile telephone fraud in general.
In order to help combat the problem of cloning, the industry and government study group on mobile phone fraud, which was set up by my hon. Friend the Minister for Science and Technology in June and reported in October, recommended that the range of offences under section 42 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 should be extended. This recommendation is currently receiving careful consideration.