Written question asked by Ivor Caplin (Labour) on Thursday, 16 March 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 23 March 2000. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Thursday, 23 March 2000 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate he has made of the financial impact of measures to control prostitutes' cards on (a) the Police, (b) local authorities and (c) telecommunications operators in the last 12 months.

Answer: Mr. Caplin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the financial impact of measures to control prostitutes' cards on (a) the police, (b) local authorities and (c) telecommunications operators in the last 12 months. [115588] Mr. Charles Clarke: The Home Office consultation paper, `New Measures to Control Prostitutes' Cards in Phone Boxes' invited respondents to submit information about the existing and potential costs caused by the nuisance of prostitutes' cards. A number of organisations including some local authorities and telephone operators responded with figures. Their responses referred to the costs incurred in cleaning the boxes and removing cards and the cost of court action against carders. They also included lost advertising revenue, although this was not calculated separately. The total figure amounted to around £750,000, but not all those likely to incur costs at present responded to the question in the consultation paper.

Secondary information