§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what costs his Department have incurred during the last 12 months as a result of cloning of mobile telephones being utilised by his Department, with particular reference to the making of unauthorised calls; [23496]
(2) how many mobile telephones being utilised by his Department have been cloned during the last 12 months; [23501]
(3) what steps his Department has taken to prevent the cloning of telephones being utilised by his Department; and if his Department has discussed this matter with any official agencies; [23464]
(4) what representations his Department has made to the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the need for legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile telephones. [23471]
§ Mr. Soames[holding answer 9 March 1995]: The cloning of mobile telephones used by my Department has so far affected only telephones fitted in official cars. The Department's records show that 27 official car telephones have been cloned during the last 12 months. To prevent further cloning all official car phones are being upgraded to a global system for mobile communications models operating on digital networks. There is no evidence that GSM digital telephones can be cloned in the same manner as analogue mobile telephones.
The cost of unauthorised calls, as a result of a mobile telephone being cloned, is borne by the service provider and not charged to my Department. The cost of the car conversion to a digital GSM telephone is approximately £340 excluding VAT.
We have worked very closely with telephone service providers and cellular network operators to prevent the cloning of mobile telephones. My Department has made no official representation to the Department of Trade and Industry about the need for legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile telephones.