§ The Earl of Northeskasked Her Majesty's Government:
In the light of the announcement at the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit's (NHTCU) second e-crime congress, what changes to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 they are contemplating to address the extent of Internet crime exposed by the NHTCU's recent survey; and [HL1501]
When they will bring forward legislation to strengthen the Computer Misuse Act 1990, given that the Home Office has identified this as a priority. [HL1502]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalWe have yet to see the full results from the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit National Opinion Poll survey "The Impact on UK Business during the year 2003". We will however be considering whether there is any information within it which suggests that existing legislation is inadequate to deal with hi-tech crime.
As has previously been announced, changes to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 in order to implement the requirements of the framework decision on attacks against information systems and the related provisions contained in the Council of Europe Cybercrime Convention will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.