§ 43. Mr. MadelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to make it a criminal offence to be in possession of equipment designed illegally to tamper with domestic electricity meters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenNo. Depending on the circumstances, a person found in possession of such equipment could already be charged with attempting, conspiring or inciting another person to commit an offence; or with aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring an offence, contrary to section 1 (theft) or section 13 (abstracting of electricity) of the Theft Act 1968; or with conspiracy to defraud.