§ Mr. LazarowiczTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2002,Official Report, column 561 W, on mobile phones, what stage has been reached in discussions between her Department and mobile phone manufacturers on how mobile phone handset security might be improved; and when she estimates such measures will be introduced. [46429]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe manufacturers have responded positively to the joint request made by DTI and Home Office Ministers and are co-operating in a study of the current level of security and of plans for the future in this regard. The Home Office will publish this study that is expected to be completed shortly and consideration will then be given as to what action needs to be taken.
In the meantime, all the UK licensed cellular operators are co-operating to develop a shared register of stolen mobile handsets, which will be used to de-activate those handsets. I welcome this positive initiative by the mobile industry.