HC Deb 12 November 1998 vol 319 c260W
Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to restrict(a) the sale and (b) the use of devices to detect the presence of police enforcement radar at the road-side. [58831]

Mr. Boateng

Tests by Government scientists on these devices show that they are largely unreliable and ineffective and that, where they do alert drivers, it is often too late because the vehicle has already been detected by the police detection equipment. However, officials from the relevant Government Departments are considering what action might be taken to make their use illegal since they are likely to incite drivers to speed in the belief that they will avoid detection and prosecution.

Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions apply to the(a) sale and (b) use of devices to detect the presence of police enforcement radar at the road-side. [58830]

Mr. Boateng

None apply. The police were, from time to time, bringing prosecutions for use under section 5(b) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 until a recent Divisional Court judgment held that police speed detection equipment does not fall within the meaning of that section.