§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many mobile telephones being used by his Department have been cloned during the last 12 months. [23434]
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 9 May 1995]I am aware of five instances of cloning of mobile telephones being used by the Scottish Office and its agencies during the last 12 months.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [23475]
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 9 May 1995] No representations have been made by the Scottish Office to the Department of Trade and Industry concerning the need for legislation to prevent the cloning of mobile telephones.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what use his 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 this Department; and how many mobile telephones are currently in use. [23442]
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 9 May 1995]: Use of hand-held and car-based mobile telephones is made by travelling officers to facilitate communications while on official business. Mobile telephones were first introduced into The Scottish Office in the financial year 1986–87 but records of costs are only retained for the past three financial years. These indicate total cost of:
- 1992–93: £110,000
- 1993–94: £128,000
- 1994–95: £148,000
Our records show 380 mobile telephones as being currently in use throughout the Scottish Office and its agencies.
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§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what costs his Department has incurred during the last 12 months as a result of cloning of mobile telephones being used by his Department, with particular reference to the making of unauthorised calls. [23482]
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 9 May 1995]: No costs have been incurred during the last 12 months as a result of cloning of mobile telephones.
§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department has taken to prevent the cloning of telephones being used by his Department; and if his Department has discussed this matter with any official agencies. [23462]
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 9 May 1995]: All departmental users are encouraged to ensure the physical security of their mobile telephones but nothing can be done of a technical nature to prevent cloning. There have been no discussions with any official agencies on this subject.