§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent research she has commissioned into the use of pre-payment telephones for offensive anonymous calls; and what plans she has to require registration of pre-pay telephones. [24316]
§ Mr. Alexander[holding answer 8 January 2002]: I have not commissioned research into the use of pre-payment mobile phones for offensive anonymous calls, nor do I have plans to require registration of such phones. Registration is easily falsified and compulsory registration would disadvantage many for whom low cost mobile phones are the only affordable form of telecommunications.