§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what plans he has to make cloning of mobile telephones a criminal offence. [4484]
§ Mr. Ian TaylorOn 24 October,Official Report, column 549, I announced the recommendations of the industry and Government study group on mobile telephone fraud. One of the main recommendations was that the Government should consider extending the range of offences under section 42 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 so that it would cover the possession or supply of equipment capable of use in the course of, or in connection with, the current section 42 offence of dishonestly obtaining telecommunication services with intent to avoid payment. I am considering this recommendation carefully.