HC Deb 15 November 1990 vol 180 c214W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what regulations apply to the use of car telephones in Northern Ireland; what regulations apply to the use in Northern Ireland of radio scanners; whether he proposes seeking to extend or alter any such regulations; and what is his estimate of(a) authorised and (b) unauthorised radio scanner users in Northern Ireland;

(2) if he will list the names of those in Northern Ireland authorised to operate radio scanners; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

The use of car telephone and radio equipment generally is governed by the same law throughout the United Kingdom and responsibility rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. The Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 requires the use of radio equipment to be licensed unless exempted. Receive-only apparatus (which includes scanners) is exempt. No authority is therefore required for the possession of a radio scanner; but it is an offence for any person without lawful authority to use such equipment to listen to any private message, or to disclose the content of any such message.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what investigation is being undertaken into how recent ministerial conversations by car telephone have been overheard; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

Some implications of these reports are being addressed in a number of respects.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of his ministerial colleagues or officials have car telephones for official purposes; whether the number of such telephones are changed regularly; and who has access to such numbers.

Mr. Cope

Opportunities exist for making telephone calls to and from a variety of cars used by Ministers and officials. Access to the relevant numbers is limited on a "need to know" basis.

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