§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) car, (b) bus, (c) taxi, (d) coach drivers and (e) cyclists have been prosecuted for offences involving the use of a hand held mobile phone in each of the last three years; [74242]
(2) how many tourist coach drivers have been prosecuted for offences involving the use of a hand held microphone in each of the last three years. [74243]
§ Mr. Bob Ainsworth[holding answer 15 October 2002]: There is no separate offence for driving a motor vehicle (of any type) using a hand-held mobile telephone. In the main prosecutions are likely to be for driving without due care and attention or not being in proper control of a vehicle. For drivers of public transport these offences are also covered under specific regulation, a pedal cyclist is likely to be prosecuted for the offence of careless riding.