§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps her Department has taken to prevent the cloning of telephones being utilised by her Department; and if her Department has discussed this matter with any official agencies. [23458]
§ Mr. ForthThe Department has a code of good practice for all users of analogue mobile phones, which includes advice received from British Telecom about security and password protection. The Department has started to purchase the latest digital technology mobile phones, which British Telecom states cannot be cloned.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what costs her Department has incurred during the last 12 months as a result of cloning of mobile telephones being utilised by her Department, with particular reference to the making of unauthorised calls. [23494]
§ Mr. ForthNo costs have been incurred during the last 12 months as a result of cloning of mobile telephones.
Mr. DonhoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what use her Department makes of hand-held and car-based mobile telephones; what were the costs for each financial year of these services since mobile telephones were first introduced to her Department; and how many mobile telephones are currently in use. [23437]
§ Mr. ForthMobile telephones have been in use in the Department since 1990. Currently, 115 mobiles are held at annual rental of £31,050 plus calls charges. No central record of call charges is available. Last year, 100 mobiles were held at an annual rental of £27,000 plus. Minimal use is made of car-based mobile telephones.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education how many mobile telephones being utilised by her Department have been cloned during the last 12 months. [23502]
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what representations her Department has made to the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the need for legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile phones. [23397]
§ Mr. ForthCloning of mobile phones has not been a problem for the Department. No representations have been made to the Department of Trade and Industry.