§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many prosecutions for breach of the Wireless Telegraphy (Cordless Telephone Apparatus) (Restriction) Order (SI, No. 774) have been made in(a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland, (c) Wales and (d) England in each of the last three years for which records are available.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe Wireless Telegraphy (Cordless Telephone Apparatus) (Restriction) Order 1987 (SI, No. 774) came into force on 21 May 1987. Persons contravening the order can be prosecuted under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. They can also be prosecuted for the unlicensed use of cordless telephone apparatus under the 1949 Act. My Department can also apply to a court under section 80 (section 81 in Scotland) of the Telecommunications Act 1984 for cordless telephones held in breach of the order to be forfeited, thereby avoiding criminal prosecutions. Finally, members of the public may decide voluntarily to surrender illegal apparatus to my Department, thereby avoiding all court proceedings. The relevant number of cases is as follows:
602W
Northern Ireland Scotland Wales England Prosecution 1987 — 1 — 16 1988 — 1 — 3 1989 (to 20 March) — — — — Forfeiture orders 1987 — — 2 4
Northern Ireland Scotland Wales England 1988 — 1 — 13 1989 (to 20 March) — — — 1 Voluntary surrender 1987 4 — 2 71 1988 6 9 2 141 1989 (to 20 March) — — 1 17